Diabetes: Types, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Tests, Treatments & Prevention

• Type 1 diabetes : This is an autoimmune disease. Here, the insulin-producing cells(alpha cells) in pancreas are destroyed. Up to 10% of diabetics are Type 1. Usually diagnosed in children & young adults. Patients need to take insulin every day.(Insulin-dependent diabetes)
• Type 2 diabetes: Here, body either doesn’t make enough insulin or body’s cells don’t respond normally to insulin. It is most common type of diabetes. Up to 95% of diabetics are Type 2. Usually occurs in middle-aged & older people. Also called as Adult-onset diabetes & insulin-resistant diabetes.

• Increased thirst.
• Weak, tired feeling.
• Blurred vision.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Slow-healing sores or cuts.
• Unplanned weight loss.
• Frequent urination.
• Frequent unexplained infections.
• Dry mouth.

Other symptoms--

• In women: Dry and itchy skin, and frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections .
• In men: Decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle strength.

This is a temporary type called as Gestational diabetes

This type develops in some women during their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes you're at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

• Nerve damage (neuropathy ) that causes numbing and tingling that starts at toes or fingers then spreads.
• Kidney damage (nephropathy) that can lead to kidney failure or the need for dialysis or transplant .
• Eye damage (retinopathy ) that can lead to blindness; cataracts , glaucoma .
• Foot damage including nerve damage, poor blood flow and poor healing of cuts and sores.
• Skin infections.
• Dental problems.

In Gestational Diabetes--

In mother: Preeclampsia high blood pressure, excess protein in urine, leg/feet swelling.

In newborn: Higher-than-normal birth weight, low blood sugar-hypoglycemia.

• Plan on what you eat and follow a healthy meal plan. Diets high in nutrition and fiber and low in fats and calories are helpful.
• Exercise regularly . Try to exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Walk, swim,etc.. activities that make us perspire should be done.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Take medication and insulin, if prescribed, and closely following recommendations on how and when to take it.
• Monitor the blood glucose and blood pressure levels regularly with no falsified data.
• Quit smoking and alcoholic beverages.