Diabetes Awareness Day
World Diabetes Day is to create awareness among the members of public to help understand what diabetes is all about and how to overcome any fears about the disease
There are two types of Diabetes, which are called Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Both are manageable and can be treated if correctly diagnosed.
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease in which high levels of sugar is in the blood. This type 1 diabetes can occur at any age but is mostly found in children, teenagers or young adults. The cause of Type 1 is unknown but its believed that it’s some disorder that your body has developed which can be passed down through the families. In Type 1 there is usually too little or no insulin which causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream, making it unable to go back in the cells, which the body is unable to use the sugar for energy.
Some Symptoms that you should look out for
• Being very thirsty
• Feeling hungry
• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Losing weight without trying
• Going to the toilet more often
These are just to name a few, if you think you have any of these symptoms you should go a see your local doctor and have general check up and make sure you are okay.
If you have been diagnosed with Type 1, you will need to manage your diabetes, knowing how to treat and recognise if you have low or high blood sugar, that you have the correct eatting plan and how to give yourself insulin if needed.
Type 2
Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin but their pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin adequately. This is when there isn’t enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be so the sugar can’t get into the body’s cells. When sugar builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body’s cells are not able to function properly.
With type 2 diabetes anybody is at able to get it but people who are more at risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes are people over the age of 45, are overweight, family history of diabetes or possibility of high blood pressure.
With both Types of diabetes the long term goals are both the same in treatment.
By controlling your Blood pressure and cholesterol with enough exercise and a healthy eating plan, doing regular self-testing of your blood to make sure your sugar levels are okay. Always make sure you take your medication or insulin at all times and always carry it around with you in case of an emergency situation.
Regular exercise is especially important for people with diabetes. It helps with blood sugar control, weight loss, and high blood pressure.
Diabetes can be treated if correctly diagnosed by your doctor and the correct measures have been taken to help you manage your diabetes. Support groups are available specially if you have just been diagnosed with diabetes and you need my understanding through this period.
Get yourself checked today. Get to know the risk factors before it’s too late.
Derrick Banks, ER24
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