Type 1 diabetes is a condition where there is little or no insulin present in the body. Many people think it is a disease caused by eating too much sugar, but it is an autoimmune condition, in which our immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy beta cells in the pancreas (an organ located in the abdomen behind the stomach), which are the only source for the production of the Insulin hormone.
Insulin, an essential hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and helps glucose enter our body cells from the blood to be stored or for immediately as energy.
Glucose is our body’s main source of energy that comes from the food we eat.
If the pancreas can not produce sufficient Insulin hormone, glucose builds up in the blood, resulting in a condition known as Hyperglycemia, which can affect several body organs, like the kidneys, eyes, and heart.
Anyone can get type 1 diabetes without warning and with no family history.
Most likely, children, teenagers, or young adults can be affected by type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms :
- Too thirsty
- Frequent urination
- Excessive hunger
- Blurred vision
- Mental health problems
- Unexplained weight loss
Is there a permanent treatment available for type 1 diabetes or not?
There is no permanent cure for this disease, and unfortunately, there is no prevention for this disease, as it is an autoimmune condition, but we can reduce the impact of symptoms by adopting a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet.
What is Type 2 Diabetes (Diabetes mellitus)?
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder and a chronic (persistent, long-term) condition that occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or body cells are not responding to insulin (Insulin resistance) as they should to absorb glucose molecules streaming in the blood, or both, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
Causes :
- Lack of physical activity
- Eating processed food, carbohydrate-rich food, and saturated fats.
- Long-term stress and lack of quality sleep.
Symptoms :
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Excessive hunger
- Slow healing of wounds
- Tingling in hands or feet
- Physical weakness
- Weight loss
Women may experience frequent vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections.
If you have the above symptoms, consult your health care provider and get regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Complications :
- Heart attack and stroke
- Kidney failure
- Damage to the retinal nerves can cause blindness
- Chance of getting Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Risk factors for type 2 Diabetes :
- If your Biological parent or sibling has Diabetes
- Eating junk food and bakery items
- Having belly fat
- LDL (low-density lipoproteins)
- Sitting for long durations
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women
Can type 2 Diabetes be reversed?
- Obviously! Even though there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, it can be reversed by changing lifestyle choices like having regular physical exercise for about 150 minutes or more a week, 30 minutes of walking in the evening, and quality sleep for about 7 to 8 hours.
- Intermittent fasting can help slow the release of glucose into the blood,
- Eating leafy and green veggies, whole grains (have low glycemic index), foods containing good fats like nuts, and cooking food with cold-pressed oil.
- Avoid carbohydrate-rich food, and adopt high-fibre, protein, and nutrient-rich food.
