Diabetes- Causes, Types, Signs and symptoms
I am super excited to share my second post for #MyFreindAlexa. My theme for #MyfriendAlexa is Diabetes awareness. And in this post, I am sharing an overview of the “Diabetes- the Silent Killer”. What is diabetes? What is the pathology of diabetes? What are the types of diabetes? What are the risk factors, sign and symptoms? Read on to know more.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic, long-lasting and a group of metabolic disorder that affects how your body turns food into the energy. According to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases , diabetes occurs when your blood sugar level remains high due to deficiency or improper functioning of insulin.
Basic pathology of Diabetes
When we eat food, it converts into glucose and provides the energy to our body. Pancreas secreted a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps in glucose get into your cells to give them energy.
Sometimes your body either does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin properly. Because of this improper functioning of insulin, glucose stays in the blood. It does not reach the cells. This raised blood sugar level leads to various sign symptoms in your body. Clinically, this condition is called diabetes.
Over the time, if this raised sugar level left untreated, it causes heart diseases, nerve damaged, eye problems and kidney diseases.
Diabetes data worldwide
There are some shocking scientific facts about this “Silent killer disease”.
- According to WHO, in 2015 an estimated 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes. And WHO projects that diabetes will be the next leading cause of death in 2030.
- The global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age has risen from 4.7% (in 1980) to 8.5% in 2014.
- Globally as estimated that 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. And this ratio is increasing frequently.
Indeed, these facts are shocking and dreading too.
Type of diabetes
There are basically 3 types of diabetes.
- Type 1
- Type 2
- Gestational diabetes
-
Types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
It is also called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes. It is less common than type 2 diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in teens and young adults. But it can develop at any age.
Pathology
With type 1 diabetes body does not make insulin. Your immune system destroyed the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.
Type 2 diabetes
It is a most common type of diabetes. In this type, the body does not use insulin well and this thing results in raised glucose level. It is more commonly diagnosed in adults. It can be delayed or prevented, by paying close attention to your lifestyle factors. It includes diet and regular exercise. Also, the regular check-up is equally important to diagnose it early.
People with diagnosed type 2 diabetes need to get regularly prescribed medication to maintain the blood sugar level. Otherwise, serious health complications can occur, that may lead to death.
Gestational diabetes
This is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It is caused by the hormonal changes of pregnancy. And symptoms may subside after delivery of the baby.
Pre-diabetic stage
Sometimes people have a higher blood sugar level at the borderline stage. It is called “prediabetes stage”. During this stage, it is very important to control your diet and do regular exercise.
Risk factors for diabetes
According to expert research, type 1 diabetes caused by genetic disposition, so there are no fixed risk factors that can help in preventing the onset of type 1 diabetes.
For type 2 Diabetes, there are 2 types of factors that can play an important play is in case of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- Genetic factors that include your family history and ethnicity
- Lifestyle factors that include diet, exercise, weight management etc.
There are higher chances to develop diabetes, if
- You are overweight
- A family history of diabetes mellitus or other systemic disorders is another risk factor.
- Also, if you have a personal history of gestational diabetes or other systemic disorders. Such as high blood pressure, higher cholesterol level or polycystic ovarian disease.
- You have a sedentary lifestyle with lack of enough physical activity
Sign and symptoms of diabetes
The typical symptoms of diabetes include 3P- Polyuria, Polyphagia, Polydipsia
In simple words, Increased urination, increased appetite, and increased thirst
Other predominant symptoms are:
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Any cut or bruises that slow to heal
- Blurry vision
- Weight loss (despite more eating)
- Numbness or tingling pain in the hands and feet
- Sometimes nail disorders (fungal infections or too brittle nails)
It is very important for high-risk patients to be tasted timely to rule out the possibility of diabetes.
Nowadays, diabetes is spreading like an epidemic especially is lower economic countries. It is really important to have enough information about its hidden sign and symptoms. It is the mandatory step that can help a lot in its early detection and prevention of complication.
Raising awareness about diabetes is a primary aim of this series.
In the next post, I will share the next important things about diabetes.
How diabetes diagnosed? What are important tests be performed to diagnose it? What are the treatment options for diabetes and what are dangerous complications? Stay tuned to get the answer to these important questions?
“I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter. ( https://www.theblogchatter.com/)
Read the first part of this series herehttps://surbhiprapanna.com/2018/08/31/diabetes-awareness-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-diabetes-the-silent-killer-theme-reveal-for-myfriendalexa/
154 Comments
alpanadeo
I read the first part Surbhi. And this one was a well written extension of the previous one. You have explained everything in detail with proper research.
#MothersGurukulreads #MyFriendAlexa
admin
thanks alpana, I am glad you liked it.
Lavanya
Very informative post, Surbhi. My family has a history of diabetes, so this post had some useful tips!
admin
Thanks Lavanya, I am glad you liked it
Latha
Lots of information… A must read
admin
thanks latha
jaya1966
Hi Surabhi, I am suffering from Diabetes Type II, mainly due to lifestyle issues. A sedentary job and very little exercise has led to it. Our family simply does not have any history of Diabetes from my father’s side or mother’s side. I am on Metformin right now. You have cleared so many of my doubts about Diabetes in this wonderful post. Than you so much. Cheers Jai #MyFriendAlexa #JaiSReads
admin
Yes Jay I could understand that nowadays it is hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle due to hectic life schedule. but it is the key to avoid further complications. thanks a lot for visiting y blog.
lifewithmypenguin
Quite an informative post. My mother in law got diabetes last year, this series would really throw some light about the disease. Thanks for sharing.
admin
Thanks i am glad you liked it.
arv!
We Indians are most susceptible to this lifestyle disease. Thanks for highlighting it for the awareness.
admin
Yes I agree it is more common in eastern countries. thanks for your visit
arv!
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☆Novemberschild☆ (@romspeaks)
There is no single recommended diabetes prevention diet, but following a sound nutrition plan and maintaining a healthy weight are important steps in preventing the disease. I take extra care because diabetes runs in my family from both my parents side.
admin
I completely agree with your thoughts. indeed, prevention is the key. thanks a lot for your visit.
Anagha Yatin
Recently a young girl in her late teens from the family got diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. That was the first time I learnt about the gravity of the disease.
Very informative and educative post Surabhi
admin
Yes Anagha, nowadays it is spreading like a epidemic. thanks a lot for your visit.
Storyteller
great post on this dreadful disease.
purbajune
A very informative post that will help many. Thanks for sharing.
Shilpa Gupte
Hubby has diabetes and suffers from most of the symptoms you mentioned here. He is taking care, too, but following a routine, being extra diligent with your diet and watching what you eat–now that is something he needs to practice on an everyday basis, Thankfully, he isn’t on Insulin injections. Touchwood! I just hope things improve slowly and steadily. I give him methi seeds every morning, and prepare veggies that bring down the blood sugar levels. I need to prepare more of ragi chapatis, instead of wheat ones.
Thank you for this post, Surbhi!
Sonia Chatterjee
Diabetes is known as a silent killer. I was bordering on gestational diabetes during pregnancy period. You have written a very well researched and informative post.
Namratha
Informative post Surabhi. The symptoms do seem common and I guess we do need to get tested at regular intervals if we suspect anything.
Namratha from #firstgreenstep
Priyanka Naik
You won’t believe it, but Diabetes awareness was the theme I had initially planned on writing about for Alexa. I am a consultant Diabetologist and thought that would be an apt topic to write about.
But then I thought since this is my first time at Alexa, I’d allow myself some leeway and go theme-less instead (so that it gives me more freedom to write on varied topics).
Nevertheless, I am glad you took this up. Diabetes awareness is the need of the hour. And the more information we spread about it. the closer we can get in preventing and/or managing it and becoming a fitter and healthier society.
MommyingBabyT (@Nayantweett)
Very informative series Surbhi. It will be of immense help to many people to raise awareness about this.
vartikasdiary1
very well researched and informative post Surbhi
Sanjota Purohit
I have written a similar post on my website Hackytips about Diabetes. Such posts are much needed to bring the awareness about this slow poison disease..
Priyal
Thanks for coming u with this article, my father in law just diagnosed with diabetes, this post will be very much helpful for me to let him know about it in details
Sudip Saha
Diabetes is becoming widespread because of our lifestyle. Looking forward to reading your next post.
Jyotirmoy Sarkar
Have some ideas about diabetes but this post has enriched my knowledge.
Varsha Gode
Well-written post, my naani has diabetes and I never knew about these things. Eye-opener post for sure. Looking forward to read all the posts.
#vigorousreads #MyFriendAlexa
richa mina
Very informative post about a disease which is also a silent killer. it’ll help spread awareness in a lot of people. keep up the good work
everylittlethinghappiness
Really informative post. Diabetes runs in my family!! the post will surely help many of us
mommysdiarysite
My mum is diabetic. And I hv done a lot of research on diabetes. This was a good read. Thanks for sharing.
Medha Nagur
Number of diabetes cases are on the raise. It’s a killer! You have given some great tips here.
Agnivo Niyogi
Thanks for the refreshing and informative read!
Abhijit Ray
A very nice and easy to read post to understand diabetes. Given the increasing incidence of diabetes in India, I think this post will be very helpful for all readers.
Abhijit Ray
This is a very nice and easy to read post that helps us understand diabetes. Given the increase in incidence of diabetes in India. this post is very timely and beneficial.
sukrisblog
Thanks for the information. Diabetes is indeed become a part of our us with at least one member of family having it. Looking forward to more tips.
aditi
Quite informative. Our lifestyles are pushing us towards diabetes and the related problems. Thanks for the awareness article.
Geethica
This is a informative post of Diabetes. Looking forward to get more information on the same.
knightofsteel
Hey, this is really useful. I always get confused between the types of diabetes. Didn’t even know about gestational diabetes until now.
Varad
Very informative post. Both my parents are diabetic, so I guess I have good chances of getting it. Only thing I can do is take precautionary steps in terms of lifestyle and dietary changes and hope for the best. A trivia though: Pakistani great Wasim Akram has Type I diabetes for the past 20 years or so. He used to take insulin injections during lunch breaks of every cricket match and still performed like a champ. So, yeah. All is not lost if you get diabetes. Just need to work harder.
heartinprintbyjaya
Quite an informative post.
Anshu Bhojnagarwala
This is a very informative post, Surbhi! My uncle has it since years all because of poor lifestyle! It’s a silent killer – I am very careful about my lifestyle so as not to get these diseases.
Gunjan (tuggu.n.mommy)
It’s a great informative post surbhi . Keep them coming
Priya
An informative post. We all need to have a healthy diet and regularly exercise. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important.
Kalpana Manivannan
A very informative post Surbhi. Thanks for writing a post on this topic.
royrashi
Very informative, thanks for sharing.
JayanthyGovindarajan (@JayanthyG)
Diabetes is such a killer disease. When asked for mother-in-law about other symptoms, doctors advise to lower her blood sugar level. Knee pain – diabetes, heart troubles – diabetes. Everything follows as you rightly mentioned. I am scared about it too, but being scared wouldn’t resolve my problem except for maintaining a healthy routine. Thanks Surbhi for such a detailed post.
Anmol Rawat
Quite an informative post for everyone since diabetes has become a common affair these days!
Rashmi
This was an informative post. N so true, diabetes is so common these days because of modern lifestyle and stress.
Bikramjit
Nice information, thanks
Pranoti Muley
Really very informative, thanks for writing on this topic, really helpful for spreading awareness regarding Diabetes
Dr.Amrita
An informative post which will help improve health awareness.Thanks for sharing
Dipika Singh
This is a very detailed piece of information in dietetics. Thank you, for sharing the post.
Neha Gupta
Informative and awareness post !!! Today In India Diabetes is like epidemic . All ages people are suffering from same !! Much needed post .
aparna_097
My father suffers from Diabetes. You have broken down the metabolic processes into layman terms. Kudos to you for that!
syncwithdeep
very informative post surabhi. my family has a very rich history of diabetes.
Vasantha Vivek
Detailed and very informative post. will be helpful to know all these details since my family is a diabetic family and I am yet to get caught.
Deepa
This is a helpful and informative post about diabetes. It is surely a lifestyle disease which needs special care.
Meenakshi
An exhaustive post on Diabetes in simple terms that can be understood even by a layman,Surbhi. I always get my sugar levels checked as Diabetes runs in our family like a virus!
PRB
Thanks for the post, doc! Hope to read more from you
Vandana Mathur
Very informative post Surbhi. Though no one in my family suffers from diabetes, but we have to be always careful and get preventive tests done regularly.
tinacharya
Recently I have just diagnosed with border level sugar. This post is I felt, as if just written for me knowing my present health condition. Very informative it is. Thank You. This awareness is really a need of hour…I agree with Priyanka.
Anisha Agrawal
Very well researched and super informative post.. This disease is taking over almost every second person
Paresh Godhwani
You have chosen a great theme for My Friend Alexa. You are Diabetes is a silent killer. It is a root cause of lot of other diseases as well. Keep spreading the awareness.
mjothi
This is a useful post. usually, I am not a person who reads such health related articles – its just me. But this one glued me to complete it. Informative. Thanks.
Neha Sharma
That’s a very detailed and informative post on Diabetes. And an eye opener for me. Will share it with my family members and friends, they should know this.
jayanthi6
A very nice informative post! Do rice eating countries like India have more incidences of diabetes?
sujatatawde
Thank you Surbhi for informative & well researched post about Diabetes. Now a days it has become common illness for youngsters & adults alike .If we know the symptoms at the early stage then we can get well soon with proper diet, exercise & medicines. #MyFriendAlexa #SujatawdeReads
Ruchie
This is such a great and informative post needed to be shared …glad I hopped here to get this knowledge
sinjanag
Ver helpful and informative post. Regular tests are mandatory
Ramya
That’s an Informative post Surabhi. Sicne Diabetes is becoming very common now, everyone need to know about the symptoms and ways to prevent it.
blogitwithsurabhi
Very informative post on Diabetes which has become very common these days and people are to be made aware about the diagnosis and treatment about it. Great Write-up.
Varsh
Have been seeing diabetes in my family since I was a kid but didn’t know about it in so much detail. Much needed in today’s time. Thanks for sharing this informative post.
Ranjini
My mom was diagnosed with Diabetes about 7 years ago. Your posts will help me understand in depth about Diabetes. It’s really an informative and useful topic
Shubhra Rastogi
Great write up. Very informative and need of the hour as so many people are suffering from it.
Milan
A detailed and well-researched post. Learnt a lot.
relishingrascal
very well explained concept of diabetes and its awareness
Rashmi
A quite informative post with proper research work Surbhi. It would definitely be helpful for all of us to know better about this dreadful disease.
Jhilmil
You’ve picked up a really important topic to discuss about in Alexa series. It is astonishing to know that 2015 recorded 1.6 million deaths due to diabetes. Though none in our family has it yet its better to take necessary precautions.
Pooja Kawatra Gupta
I feel these days Diabetes is so common and specially my hubby’s side family has a history of diabetes. This is so informative.
Disha
I have had a long history of diabetes in my family. This is such an informative post.
Manas Mukul
I was recently diagnosed with increased sugar levels and was termed as pre-diabetic stage, i could relate to every word written. Very informative post.
#MyFriendAlexa #ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Mann (@Munkaun)
Just today we had a lecture on diabetes. Such a dreadful disease. You have written a very informative post Surbhi. Great Job.
#Mannreads
शिप्रा त्रिवेदी
Very informative post Surabhi. In todays time diabetes is very common heath issue be it kids or adults. Our lifestyle is very much responsible for that. We eat so much of processed food and don’t exercise at all. It is important to keep an eye on what we are eating and how it affects us. Awreness about this disease is really needed. #vibhuandme
Rrohan Kachalia (@rohank01)
Such an informative post, Surabhi. I am now keen to know more about it and heading to the next post.
PrettyMummaSays
I had GD during both of my pregnancies. Managing GD with food cravings is extremely tough. Glad you are creating awareness with this thorough research. Will come back fore more. #myfriendalexa #surreads #blogchatter
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Narinder Bhatia
Hi, thanks for the informative article. the post provides a good understanding of diabetes and it was quite useful to know about the 3Ps of Symptoms of Diabetes. Keep writing more 🙂
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