Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when our body’s blood sugar level is above average. This condition is not life-threatening if appropriately managed. However, diabetes can lead to high blood pressure and other serious diseases that make it more life-threatening. First and foremost, let us understand what diabetes is. Our body’s primary source of energy is glucose. This glucose is absorbed by our cells to be used as energy with the help of insulin. The human pancreas organ produces a hormone called insulin. When our pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, it results in glucose being stranded in our blood and not reaching the body cells. When this happens, blood sugar increases above normal. It is when a person develops a condition called diabetes. Diabetes is a severe case though manageable. Patients with existing diabetes will eventually develop heart problems, blood circulation, and high blood pressure. These health problems occur when there is a high volume of sugar in our blood, the blood vessel walls will stiffen, which causes the pressure to increase. It then will lead to high blood pressure.
Types Of Diabetes
Diabetes is classified into three types: type, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
It is commonly diagnosed in children and adults. Patients with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive because their bodies make insulin anymore.
Type 2 Diabetes
It is the most common type that occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. Usually, 45 years old and above have a higher risk. It appears when your body is unresponsive to insulin. They are not converted to energy when we eat food with carbohydrates and glucose.
Gestational Diabetes
It is the type of diabetes that usually develops during the gestation period of pregnant women, but their high glucose level comes back to normal after giving birth. However, when you get this type of diabetes, you become at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is manageable, but it is a severe complex condition that can affect the whole body. An unhealthy glucose level can develop other health problems, short term or long term, which causes deadly complications. Health problems that develop in Diabetic people:
- Heart disease
- Kidney problems
- Eye problems
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Dental problems
- Nerve damage
- Foot problems
Diabetes is the cause of blindness, limb amputation, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, even depression, and mental health problems. Diabetes can occur to anyone. It does not discriminate. However, early detection can save lives and can reduce the risk of having severe diabetes-related complications.
Final Words
Once you have diabetes, it requires daily care and management. For example, your diet is vital. A diabetic person must watch what food he eats. Whatever type of diabetes a person has, the potential complications are the same. When you have a history of diabetes, then you must talk to your doctor for a check-up. It is better that you know early on to manage and reduce your risk for related health complications.
