India has the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world. Due to our diet, socioeconomic factors and lifestyle, the number of people suffering from type 2 diabetes is higher than ever before.
Insulin transports glucose to all cells in our body. This insulin is secreted by the pancreas at the back of the stomach. It is the function of this pancreas that keeps our body sugar levels under control. Deficiencies in this insulin secretion are the underlying cause of diabetes.
Obesity and high blood cholesterol increase the risk of developing diabetes. As body weight increases, so does the need for insulin. As a result, the pancreas often becomes exhausted by secreting insulin. Because of this, people who are overweight are prone to diabetes.
When excess fat accumulates in body tissues, insulin cannot enter the cells. Even if insulin goes into the tissues with difficulty, insulin cannot do its job due to fat accumulation. This also causes diabetes. Apart from these, there is also a possibility that diabetes can be inherited.
Types of diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is divided into two types, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a complete lack of insulin secretion from the pancreas. Typically, type 1 diabetes is congenital. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. During childbirth, women develop gestational diabetes. This defect usually resolves after childbirth. Apart from these, there are rare diabetic disorders like LADA, MODY.
Effects of diabetes
If not treated properly, diabetes can quickly affect the eyes, heart, kidneys, and feet. Diabetes can lead to tearing of the eyes and glaucoma. Nephron cells in the kidney are affected and protein is excreted through the kidney, leading to kidney damage. Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of kidney damage worldwide.
How can problems be prevented?
The sensation of the feet should be checked periodically, and if you feel a loss of sensation in the feet, you should consult a doctor immediately. People with diabetes should undergo eye examination and retinal examination at regular intervals.
It is important to know the level of creatine in kidney test called ACR. People with diabetes have high blood pressure, obesity, high body fat, and smoking habits and are more likely to have a heart attack. Therefore, they should get their cholesterol levels checked every year.
Let’s get rid of suffering
Taking proper care of the body is the first duty of people suffering from diabetes. Proper testing and regular treatment can greatly reduce the effects of diabetes, and don’t assume that all joy in life is lost as soon as you have diabetes. Instead of treating it as a disease, treating it as a defect and treating it properly, diabetes can be cured.