Everything You Need to Know About Diabetes

Did you know that India has one of the highest numbers of people living with diabetes?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has one of the largest populations of people living with diabetes. It is estimated that more than 77 million adults in India suffer from diabetes, and this number is likely to increase further in the future. India is often termed the “diabetes capital of the world” due to the increasing number of cases, especially of Type 2 diabetes, mainly due to lifestyle changes, urbanization, and a growing prevalence of obesity. This makes it even more critical for people to understand what causes, and how to manage diabetes so that long-term health complications may be avoided.

So, what is diabetes? In simple words, it’s a condition when your body fails to regulate the blood sugar level. Since insulin is the hormone that allows the movement of sugar from the blood into the cells, some problem arises in it, due to which sugar builds up within your blood and thus creates various health issues. Do not worry; understanding diabetes will help you take control of it and become healthy again.

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Types of Diabetes

There are several types of diabetes, and each has its own causes and effects. Let’s look at some of the different types:

• Type 1 Diabetes: This is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. No one knows exactly why it happens, but once those cells are destroyed, your body can’t produce insulin anymore.

• Type 2 Diabetes: This type occurs either when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells aren’t able to respond appropriately to the available insulin. Sugar begins to accumulate in your bloodstream, which gives rise to some of the well-known signs and symptoms of diabetes. It is the most prevalent form of the disease, often associated with factors such as being overweight.

• Type 1.5 Diabetes (LADA): This is a slower-progressing form of autoimmune diabetes that develops in adulthood. It starts off similar to Type 2 but has the same underlying autoimmune cause as Type 1.

• Gestational Diabetes: This occurs during pregnancy when the placenta produces hormones that make your cells less responsive to insulin. It’s temporary, but it can affect both you and your baby if not managed properly.

• Diabetes Insipidus: Though it sounds similar to diabetes mellitus, this is a completely different condition that causes your kidneys to remove too much fluid from your body, leading to dehydration.

Causes of Diabetes

The causes of diabetes vary depending on the type, but there are some common threads:

• Type 1 Diabetes: Experts are not sure what causes Type 1, but it is thought to be an autoimmune reaction in which your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Genetics may play a role, and some researchers believe that certain viruses may trigger the immune response.

• Type 2 Diabetes: This is usually caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight, especially around your belly, makes it harder for your cells to respond to insulin. Family history also plays a big role, as the condition tends to run in families.

• Type 1.5 (LADA): It’s basically an autoimmune condition and, like Type 1, it progresses more slowly, and its symptoms appear in adult life. Its cause is still not clearly known; genetic factors might be included.

• Gestational Diabetes: It occurs in pregnant women, during which the hormone produced by the placenta makes the body unable to use as much insulin, increasing the level of glucose in the blood. Overweight women or those who gain excessive weight during pregnancy are most at risk.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Knowing the signs of diabetes will help in diagnosing it earlier and hence getting treated early. Here are what to look for:

• Unusual hunger or thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Extreme weakness, like you’ve been running a marathon even though you’ve sat still all-day
• Slow healing of cuts or bruises

Conclusion

Be it Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes, knowing the disease is the starting point for control. The knowledge of symptoms that arise early during diabetes and knowledge of the cause of diabetes allows you to protect your health from these problems. It is just about staying well-informed and taking control of your health. Remember, diabetes doesn’t have to define your life. With the right knowledge, lifestyle changes, and medical support, you can live a healthy, active life. Don’t wait for the signs to worsen—take action now, and make your health a priority. Whether it’s eating better, staying active, or working closely with your healthcare provider, every little step counts. 

Knowledge is power, and the sooner you take charge, the better you’ll feel, now and in the future!

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