Ok so diabetes is this disease or problem that lots of people got but not many really understand it properly. You hear about it all the time but what is it exactly? Basically diabetes is when your body can’t control the sugar in your blood the way it should. And that’s bad cuz sugar builds up and can mess you up.
Im gonna try to tell you what diabetes really means, what happens inside your body, the types there is, symptoms you might get and how people deal with it. So just keep reading if you wanna learn.
What happens inside?
So normally when you eat food, specially things like bread, sweets, rice, your body breaks it down into sugar (or glucose). This sugar goes into your blood and your cells need it for energy to work and stuff. But sugar can’t just get inside the cells, your body needs insulin for that.
Insulin is like a key that opens the door of the cells so sugar can get in. But in diabetes, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin or the insulin doesn’t work right. So sugar stays in your blood and blood sugar gets high.
Having high blood sugar all the time is not good because it can damage your organs and nerves and cause all sorts of problems.
Types of diabetes
There’s mainly two types but also some others.
Type 1 diabetes:
This one usually starts when you’re young like a kid or teen. Your immune system attacks the insulin-making cells in your pancreas and you stop making insulin. So you gotta take insulin shots forever.
Type 2 diabetes:
This one is the most common and usually happens when people get older but now lots of young people get it too because of bad lifestyle and being overweight. Your body still makes insulin but it doesn’t work well or not enough. So sugar builds up.
Type 2 diabetes happens a lot if you’re overweight, don’t exercise, eat bad food, smoke or have family members with diabetes.
Gestational diabetes:
Some women get diabetes when they’re pregnant but it usually goes away after birth. But it can increase chances of getting type 2 later.
Symptoms of diabetes
Sometimes diabetes comes slow and you don’t notice it at first. But watch out for:
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Feeling thirsty all the time
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Peeing a lot especially at night
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Feeling very tired
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Losing weight even when you don’t want to
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Blurry vision
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Cuts or sores that don’t heal fast
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Feeling hungry all the time
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Numbness or tingling in hands or feet (in long term)
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Skin itching or infections
If you see these signs, better get checked.
Why diabetes is bad?
If you don’t control diabetes, high blood sugar can mess your heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and even your feet. You can get heart attacks, kidney failure, blindness, nerve pain and bad infections in your feet.
That’s why diabetes is serious and you need to take care.
How do doctors find out?
They do blood tests like:
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Fasting blood sugar (no food for 8 hours then test)
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Oral glucose test (drink sugary stuff then test)
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HbA1c (shows sugar average in last 2-3 months)
If these are high, you have diabetes.
Managing diabetes
It’s not easy but you can manage it by:
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Eating healthy, less sugar and junk food, more veggies and fruits
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Exercising regularly, like walking, running, cycling
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Taking medicines or insulin if doctor says
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Checking blood sugar yourself if possible
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Don’t smoke or drink too much
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Go to doctor for checkups
Can diabetes be prevented?
Type 1 no one really knows how to stop it. Type 2 can be prevented by:
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Staying healthy weight
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Eating good food
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Moving more
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Not smoking
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Managing stress
Myths about diabetes
People say weird stuff like:
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Only sugar causes diabetes (nah)
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Diabetics can’t eat sweets (can but in small amount)
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Diabetes is contagious (nope)
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Only old people get it (kids can too)
Final thoughts
Diabetes is serious but not the end. With right care you can live good life. If you see symptoms or are at risk, get tested and follow doctor’s advice. Eat healthy, exercise and stay safe.