Diabetes management

insulin injection

Introduction

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body is unable to produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body convert glucose (sugar) into energy. People with diabetes either don’t make enough insulin or can’t properly use the insulin their bodies produce.

There are three main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: The body does not produce insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes: The body does not produce enough insulin or the cells do not properly use the insulin.
• Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs only during pregnancy.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of untreated diabetes are related to elevated blood sugar levels, and loss of glucose in the urine. High levels of blood sugar trigger the release of insulin, but the body is unable to use this insulin properly.

Symptoms include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision

If left untreated, diabetes can lead to other serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision loss.

Causes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy cells.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and family history are all thought to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that can lead to insulin resistance, which can result in gestational diabetes.

Treatment

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. Treatment for diabetes focuses on lowering blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication.

People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections for the rest of their life. People with type 2 diabetes may need to take insulin injections, but this is often not the first line of treatment.

Diet and exercise are important in the management of diabetes. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise helps to lower blood sugar levels by helping the body to use insulin more effectively.

Medications are also used to manage diabetes. Commonly used diabetes medications include:

• Metformin
• Sulfonylureas
• Meglitinides
• Thiazolidinediones
• Insulin

Prevention

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.