Diabetes: Prevention and treatment

Diabetes (also known as Diabetes mellitus) is a chronic disease in which a person has high blood sugar (glucose) either because there is a little production of insulin or because the body does not respond well to insulin, or both(in some cases). People who have high blood sugar above normal, urinate frequently, get hungry and increasingly thirsty.

Diabetes does not just happen or occur, it is a long-term condition that starts out as having an unchecked, a high blood sugar level.

The most common symptoms include frequent urination, intense thirst, hunger, unusual weight loss or gain, fatigue, cuts and bruises that do not heal, male sexual dysfunction…

Diabetes has two types: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin. As the body becomes unable to produce insulin, the glucose level begins to increase and this can be very harmful to the body organs. This type of diabetes is totally dependent on insulin injection for support. This kind of diabetes usually begins before the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is insulin resistant. This means that the body does not produce insulin or the cells do not react to insulin. This type of diabetes is a progressive one as it can grow to Type 1 diabetes.

Prevention and treatment of diabetes involve maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, total avoidance of the use of tobacco (or products that contain tobacco), maintaining a normal body weight, control of blood pressure (especially for people with Type 2 diabetes), taking medication in form of tablets or injections.

It is advised that you visit a hospital when symptoms persist for a while, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis, try and maintain a healthy eating lifestyle.