Diabetes - What Causes It and What Symptoms and Treatment Options Are

Posted by Nicole on December 18th, 2019

Diabetes is a group of diseases, which occur to you when the level of sugar in your blood is too high. Blood sugar is the primary energy source, and you get it from the foods you take. Insulin, a type of hormone produced by the pancreas, helps your cells to get sugar from foods. Sometimes, your body does not produce enough or any insulin properly. Consequently, your cells don’t get the sugar from your blood. Over time, the collected sugar in your blood causes several health problems.

Diabetes facts and figures

• Around 108 million people across the world had diabetes in 1980. The number of diabetic patients increased to 422 million in 2014.  
• Approximately 4.7% of adults (over 18) had diabetes in 1980. The percentage of adults having diabetes rose to 8.5 in 2014. It saw an increase of 3.8%.   
• Low to mid income countries have a large number of diabetic patients.
• Diabetes cause health issues like blindness, heart attacks, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, and stroke.
• Around 1.6 million people died of diabetes in 2016. Due to high blood glucose, 2.2 million people died in 2012.
• WHO states that diabetes was the 7^th primary cause of deaths in 2016.
• Maintaining a healthy weight, balanced diet, regular physical activity, and stay away from tobacco can help you prevent yourself from type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Types

Diabetes is a chronic health issue. You have it when your body produces low insulin or doesn’t produce any insulin. Or, your body is unable to produce insulin. Due to irregularities in the production of insulin, there is no control over blood sugar. Gradually, your body starts facing several health issues.

The types of diabetes are as follows:

• Type 1 diabetes: It was previously known as childhood-onset, insulin-dependent, or juvenile. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system of your body destroys the pancreas cells producing insulin. This type of diabetes occurs to people below 20. Your doctor prescribes insulin injections if you have type 1 diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes: Previously, it was called non-insulin dependent or adult-onset. It occurs to you when your body does not use the produced insulin effectively. You may have type 2 diabetes when you have no control over your weight, and you keep yourself away from regular physical activities. Your doctor may prescribe an Empagliflozin drug such as Jardiance to control your blood sugar level. Its symptoms are similar to the first type or less marked, and so, treatment may last for a more extended period. 
• Gestational diabetes: It occurs to pregnant women. If you have it, you have higher chances of complications during your pregnancy and the time of baby delivery. You and your baby may have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes causes

Even today, doctors don’t know what primary reasons behind the first type of diabetes are. The weak immune system, family history, and viruses are possible causes of type 1 diabetes.

Causes of type 2 diabetes relate to a combination of lifestyle and genetics. Overweight, lack of physical activities and family history are apparent causes for the second kind.

Diabetes symptoms

Some signs are common for both types of diabetes. Here are some significant symptoms of diabetes (of type 1 and type 2):

• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Erectile dysfunction or impotence
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger even after eating
• Itching of the skin
• Laboured, heavy breathing
• Numbness or tingling of the hands and feet
• Recent weight gain   
• Slow-healing sores or cuts
• Unexplained weight loss even after taking proper diet and feeling of hunger
• Yeast infections

Diabetes complications

Diabetes, especially type 2, is chronic. It is a slow death and creates several health problems if you don’t treat and take proper care. Here are some complications of diabetes that you may have if you leave it untreated:

• Dementia   
• Depression
• Foot damage
• Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
• Hearing loss
• Neuropathy
• Nephropathy
• Retinopathy and vision loss
• Skin conditions such as bacterial and fungal infections

Diabetes Diagnosis

Ignoring or delaying diabetes treatment can be harmful to you and can lead you to several severe health issues. You must consult your doctor when you notice frequent urination needs, extreme hunger, or sudden weight gain. During the consultation, your doctor asks for the signs you are noticing and can ask for having the tests like:

• Blood tests (FPG)
• Urine examination
• A1C test

Diabetes Medications

Based on the test findings and the diabetes type, your doctor may prescribe insulin injections and medicines like Jardiance. Your diabetes treatment can last longer if you have type 2 diabetes. You must follow your doctor’s instructions and take the prescribed medications properly.

Diabetes prevention and care

Treatment is vital for you if you have any type of diabetes. However, you can feel relaxed or bring down your sugar level by making lifestyle changes. Here are some useful tips:

• Achieve a healthy body weight
• Stay physically active
• Take a balanced diet and stay away from sweetened drinks and fast foods.
• Avoid taking tobacco and alcohol

Conclusion

Diabetes slowly kills you if you have. You need to be very careful. Apart from your doctor’s instructions, make significant changes in your lifestyle (being active, healthy diet, weight control, etc.) to have a healthy life.