What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy.

With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make.

What are the signs and symptoms of Diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms are caused by rising blood sugar.

The possible signs that may help you out are:

• Increased hunger
• Incresed thirst
• Weight loss
• Frequent Urination
• Blurry Vision
• Extreme fatigue

Immediately contact your doctor if you notice any such signs.

What are the causes of Diabetes?

1.Type 1 diabetes Doctors don’t know exactly what causes type 1 diabetes. For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.Genes may play a role in some people. It’s also possible that a virus sets off the immune system attack.

2.Type 2 diabetes -Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight or obese increases your risk too. Carrying extra weight, especially in your belly, makes your cells more resistant to the effects of insulin on your blood sugar.This condition runs in families. Family members share genes that make them more likely to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight.

Certain chronic conditions also may increase your risk of diabetes, including kidney disease and sleep apnea.

Diagnosis of Diabetes

To diagnose diabetes, your doctor will review your personal and family medical history, perform a thorough physical evaluation.

Some tests that are normally done are as:

• The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test measures your blood sugar after you’ve fasted for 8 hours.
• The A1C test provides a snapshot of your blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months.

What are the complications of Diabetes?

A few of the comorbidities you may face with Diabetes are:

• Left untreated, Diabetes may lead to Heart attack,neuropathy,hearing loss,Heart failure .Tell your doctor if your signs and symptoms aren't improving despite treatment for Diabetes.

Prevention of Diabetes

Preventing and treating illnesses that can become the risk factor for Diabetes is the best way to curb out it's complications. Make sure to change a few of your lifestyle habits and do regular physical exercise (not intense one). Talk to your doctor and take the help of a dietician who can suggest a decent diet to avert Diabetes. A diet is a healthy component of Diabetes treatment in Ayurveda!