Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces, hence it leads to increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyper glycaemia). It is due to deficient insulin production or the body’s ineffective use of insulin.
What are the causes/risk factors for diabetes?
- Autoimmune, genetic or environmental.
- overweight/obesity, family history of diabetes, tobacco use, excess alcohol intake, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and physical inactivity.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms include frequent urination (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), constant hunger, weight loss, very dry skin, vision changes and fatigue.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Early diagnosis can be accomplished through blood testing, such as fasting or random blood glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test.
What is the treatment for diabetes?
Diabetes treatment involves lowering blood glucose and overall reduction in risk factors for diabetic complications, such as control of blood pressure and blood lipids. This requires lifelong care and management. Quitting tobacco use is important to avoid complications. Healthy eating, physical activity and monitoring blood glucose levels is required. In addition, oral medication or insulin, or both are needed to control blood glucose levels.
What can be done to prevent and control diabetes?
The cause of Type 1 diabetes is not known and is not preventable with current knowledge. Simple lifestyle measures are effective in preventing or delaying the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
What individuals can do?
• Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Be physically active – at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More activity is required for weight control.
• Eat a healthy diet of three to five servings of fruit and vegetables a day and reduce sugar and saturated fats intake.
• Quit tobacco use.
• Avoid harmful use of alcohol.
• Test blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels regularly.