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10 Warning Signs of Diabetes: Act Now!.

Tags: diabetes risk
Blood sugar is, known as Diabetes, a disease that has been present in human society since ancient times. Millions of people worldwide are affected by diabetes every year. Diabetes is a dangerous disease. Diabetes causes other diseases. Diabetes occurs when the production of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, stops or there is insulin resistance.

How common is diabetes?
Diabetes is a very common health condition. According to the World Health Organization, around 422 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number has been increasing in recent years, and diabetes is now considered one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In some countries, such as the United States and India, the prevalence of diabetes is particularly high. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many people with diabetes are able to live healthy and active lives.
What are the different types of diabetes?

Prediabetes.

Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased Risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as other health problems like heart disease and stroke. However, with early detection and lifestyle changes like improving diet and increasing physical activity, it is possible to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, it's important to work with your healthcare provider to develop a plan to manage your condition and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Who is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes?

Certain factors can increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some of these risk factors include:

1. Age: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as a person gets older, particularly after age 45.

2. Family history: If a person has a family history of diabetes, they are at higher risk of developing the condition.

3. Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

4. Inactivity: Physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle can increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

5. Race or ethnicity: Certain racial and ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

6. Gestational diabetes: Women who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

7. Other health conditions: Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can vary from person to person, and some people may not experience any symptoms at all. However, some common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

  1. Frequent urination: You may need to urinate more often than usual, including at night.

  2. Increased thirst: You may feel more thirsty than usual, even after drinking fluids.

  3. Fatigue: You may feel tired or sluggish, even if you have had enough sleep.

  4. Blurred vision: You may experience blurred vision or have trouble focusing.

  5. Slow healing: Cuts or sores may take longer to heal than usual.

  6. Numbness or tingling: You may experience numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.

  7. Increased hunger: You may feel hungry more often than usual.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation. While these symptoms may not always indicate type 2 diabetes, they can be a sign of other health conditions that require medical attention.

Causes of diabetes.

There are different causes of diabetes depending on the type of diabetes:

  1. Type 1 diabetes: The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

  2. Type 2 diabetes: The main cause of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, in which the body's cells become resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas. This can be due to genetic factors, lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of physical activity, or a combination of both.

  3. Gestational diabetes: During pregnancy, some women may develop high blood sugar levels, which can lead to gestational diabetes. This may be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, as well as lifestyle factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

  4. Other types of diabetes: There are other less common types of diabetes, including monogenic diabetes, which is caused by a genetic mutation, and drug-induced diabetes, which can be caused by certain medications.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diabetes is typically diagnosed through a combination of blood tests and other diagnostic tests.

  1. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test: This blood test measures your blood sugar level after fasting for at least 8 hours. A FPG level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher on two separate occasions is considered diagnostic of diabetes.

  2. Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test: This blood test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. An HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher is considered diagnostic of diabetes.

  3. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): This test involves drinking a sugary beverage and then having your blood sugar level measured after fasting for at least 8 hours and again two hours after drinking the beverage. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher after two hours is considered diagnostic of diabetes.

What are the different types of diabetes?

There are several different types of diabetes, including:

  1. Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can occur at any age.

  2. Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for approximately 90-95% of all cases. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas, leading to high blood sugar levels.

  3. Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It typically goes away after delivery, but women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

  4. LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults): LADA is a form of diabetes that is similar to type 1 diabetes, but it develops in adults. It is often misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes, but it progresses more rapidly and requires insulin therapy sooner than type 2 diabetes.

  5. MODY (maturity-onset diabetes of the young): MODY is a genetic form of diabetes that is caused by a mutation in a single gene. It typically develops in adolescence or early adulthood and is often misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

  6. Secondary diabetes: Secondary diabetes is a type of diabetes that is caused by another underlying condition, such as pancreatitis or Cushing's syndrome.



Risk factors.

There are several risk factors that can increase a person's likelihood of developing diabetes, including:

  1. Age: The risk of developing diabetes increases as a person gets older.

  2. Family history: Having a family history of diabetes increases the risk of developing the condition.

  3. Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

  4. Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

  5. Race and ethnicity: Certain racial and ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and Native Americans, are at higher risk of developing diabetes.

  6. Gestational diabetes: Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

  7. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

  8. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels: Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

  9. Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Complications.

Diabetes can lead to several complications if left untreated or poorly managed. These complications can affect various organs and systems in the body, including:

  1. Cardiovascular disease: Diabetes increases the risk of developing heart disease, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.

  2. Nerve damage (neuropathy): High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves in the body, leading to numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet.



This post first appeared on AtoZ Healthy Benefits, please read the originial post: here

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