Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic or long-term disease characterized by an increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels above the normal value. There are two main types of diabetes, namely type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.


Diabetes Risk Factors
Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:

Factors of family history or heredity, namely when someone will be more at risk of developing type 1 diabetes if there are family members who have the same disease, because it is associated with certain genes.

Geographical factors, people who live in areas far from the equator, such as in Finland and Sardinia, are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. This is due to the lack of vitamin D that can be obtained from sunlight, thus ultimately triggering autoimmune diseases.

Age factor. This disease is most detected in children aged 4-7 years, then in children aged 10-14 years.

Other triggering factors, such as consuming cow's milk at an early age, water containing sodium nitrate, cereal and gluten before the age of 4 months or after 7 months, having a mother with a history of preeclampsia, and suffering from jaundice at birth.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

Overweight or obese.

High belly fat distribution.

Lifestyle is not active and rarely do activities or sports.

Family history of type 2 diabetes.

Black race, Hispanic, Native American , and Asian-American, have a higher number of sufferers compared to white race.

Age above 45 years, although it is possible to occur before the age of 45 years.

Prediabetes, which is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

History of diabetes during pregnancy.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, which is characterized by irregular menstruation, excessive hair growth, and obesity.



Causes of Diabetes
Diabetes is caused by a disturbance in the body, so the body is unable to use blood glucose into cells, so glucose builds up in the blood. In type 1 diabetes, this disorder is caused because the pancreas cannot produce insulin. Whereas in type 2 diabetes, this disorder occurs due to the body not effectively using insulin or insulin deficiency relative to blood glucose levels. High glucose levels can damage small blood vessels in the kidneys, heart, eyes and nervous system, resulting in various kinds of complications.



Diabetes Symptoms
Some symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, including:

Often feel thirsty.

The frequency of urination increases, especially at night.

Constant hunger.

Weight loss for no apparent reason.

Limp and tired.

Blurred vision.

Old wounds heal.

Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract, gums, or vagina.



Diabetes diagnosis
The doctor will diagnose diabetes in someone by conducting medical interviews, physical examinations, and supporting examinations such as blood and urine tests.

Also read: Check for Diabetes Mellitus with this examination



Diabetes complications
Both type 1 and 2 diabetes can cause complications in the form of retinal eye damage, nerve damage, stroke and coronary heart disease, kidney damage, sexual dysfunction, miscarriage, or stillbirths of mothers with diabetes.

Also read: Diabetes Can Cataract Cause, This Is the Reason



Diabetes treatment
Treatment of type 1 diabetes, including:

Insulin to control blood glucose. Giving insulin is injected into the layer under the skin about 3-4 times a day according to the recommended dose of a doctor.

A healthy diet and regular exercise to help control blood glucose levels.

Take care of your feet and have your eyes checked regularly to prevent further complications.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes, including:

Changes in healthy lifestyles include:
Avoiding high glucose or high fat foods.

Increase foods high in fiber.

Doing exercise regularly, at least 3 hours every week.

Lose and maintain ideal body weight.

Avoid or stop smoking.

Avoid or stop consuming alcoholic drinks.

Maintain leg health and prevent injured feet.

Check eye health conditions regularly.

Giving diabetes drugs under the supervision of a doctor. These medicines include:
Metformin to reduce blood glucose levels.

Sulfonylureas to increase insulin production in the pancreas.

Pioglitazone as a trigger for insulin.

Gliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor) to prevent the breakdown of GLP-1.

SGLT-2 inhibitors that affect urine.

GLP-1 agonist to trigger insulin production without the risk of hypoglycemia.

Acarbose to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.

Nateglinide and repaglinide are beneficial for releasing insulin into the bloodstream.

Insulin therapy as a companion to other medicines.

Other drugs are given to reduce the risk of complications, such as statins and anti-hypertensive drugs.

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