What is diabetes and how can it affect you?

diabetes type 2 vs type 1
August 30, 2020

What is diabetes! Diabetes is a disease in which glucose (sugar) levels in the blood are very high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter cells to supply them with energy. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the most common, the body does not make or use insulin properly. Without enough insulin, glucose stays in the blood.

Over time, too much glucose in the blood can cause serious problems. It can damage the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke, and the need to amputate a limb. Pregnant women can also develop diabetes, called gestational diabetes.

A blood test can show if you have diabetes. One type of test, the A1c, can also check how well you are managing your diabetes. Exercise, weight control, and sticking to your meal plan can help control diabetes. You should also monitor your blood glucose level and, if you have a prescription, take medication.

What is diabetes
What is diabetes

Obesity is not only an aesthetic problem, it is a disease that worsens the quality of life and causes numerous pathologies, including diabetes.

The combination of both is what is known as diabesity, and suffering from it can lead to other complications.

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THE RISKS OF SUFFERING FROM DIABETES

For all this, it is important to prevent obesity and with it the development of type 2 diabetes that can lead to other pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular diseases, cardiomyopathies, etc.

  • In fact, people with diabetes are up to three times more at risk for this type of disorder than those without diabetes.

Having diabetes increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke …

This is because diabetes is a metabolic disease that is directly related to cardiovascular disease , which becomes the leading cause of death for people with diabetes 2.

HOW TO PREVENT IT

What is diabetes
What is diabetes

In these cases, together with treatment, diet and exercise are the basic pillars. Although these experts recognize the difficulty in managing to change the patient’s lifestyle and follow the treatment.

  • Regarding nutritional habits, Dr. Irene Bretón explains that, “you have to learn to eat better, it is not just a matter of eating less. We have to adapt the calories we eat to what we are going to spend and improve the nutritional quality of our diet, based on the Mediterranean Diet, but always setting individualized goals ”.

When obesity is treated, associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, disappear

Also very important is physical exercise, which will depend on age, level of training and the existence of other pathologies. For most adults 150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per week , spread over at least 3 days / week, and strength exercises are recommended .

Experts emphasize that when obesity is treated, associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, disappear. Therefore, avoiding excess weight can prevent more than 50% of cases of type 2 diabetes.

WHEN DRUG TREATMENT IS NEEDED

What is diabetes
What is diabetes

If the changes in lifestyle and physical exercise do not achieve the established objectives , start drug treatment. And it is important to look for treatment alternatives adapted to the life of each patient.

Currently, experts assure that diabesity requires a complete vision of the patient that considers from environmental factors to genetic factors , as we move towards a future marked by precision medicine , which will allow us to indicate the appropriate treatment in the patient right and at the right time.

Symptoms

Possible symptoms of elevated glucose include the following:

  • Very thirsty (polydipsia).
     
  • Feeling very hungry (polyphagia).
     
  • Need to urinate continuously , even at night (polyuria).
     
  • Weight loss , despite eating a lot.
     
  • Tiredness .
     
  • Blurred vision .
     
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
     
  • Recurring fungal skin infections .

Complications

There is a direct relationship between compliance with treatment and adequate glycemic control, which in turn is related to the risk of developing chronic complications associated with diabetes.

According to the member of the SED board of directors, “diabetes is currently the leading cause of dialysis and non-traumatic amputations, as well as being a very important cause of blindness.” Likewise, “it has a great influence on the development of circulatory problems, such as angina pectoris and heart attack “.

Along the same lines, González highlights that “diabetes can go unnoticed for years, in which it already produces complications. Therefore, it is important to go to the primary care doctor in case of a family history of diabetes or risk factors (obesity, hypertension, gestational diabetes) for a glucose test. “

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