What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that develops when the secretory gland in the body cannot produce enough insulin hormone or the produced insulin hormone cannot be used effectively. Individuals with diabetes cannot use the glucose in the foods they eat. Therefore, blood sugar rises.

While the blood sugar levels of individuals who do not have diabetes are 120 mg/dl in fasting state, their blood sugar levels do not exceed 140 ml/dl in the case of satiety. If the hunger and satiety values ​​to be measured exceed these values, it indicates that the individual has diabetes. Diabetes is divided into two. This distinction is made as type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes;

While it is less common among diabetes types, 10% of diabetes patients are in this group. The majority of patients in this group are young people and children. It is caused by the body producing less insulin than it should or not being able to produce insulin. This situation reveals that insulin injections are needed every day in order to control the blood glucose level of the individual. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's inability to use glucose and the accumulation of glucose accordingly. The trigger and risk factors of this disease are not known exactly. However, it is thought to be caused by environmental and gene factors.

Type 2 diabetes;

It is the most common type of diabetes. It usually affects adults and is caused by the body's inability to use insulin effectively. Type 2 diabetes is caused by high blood sugar levels due to the inability of people to respond effectively to insulin. Physical activities and eating habits are as effective as genetic factors.

Why Does Diabetes Occur?

It is among the diseases that are widespread and frequently mentioned nowadays. Although there are many factors that affect the formation of diabetes, there may be factors.

• Excessive inactivity.
• Fatty or sugary foods.
• Fatty, sugary or acidic foods.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Although the symptoms of diabetes types show themselves similarly to each other, the main differences are at the time they are seen. Type 1 typically presents suddenly, while type 2 symptoms may take years to manifest.

• Unusual thirst and dry mouth
• Frequent urination,
• Constant hunger,
• Blurred vision,
• Feeling tired,
• Low energy,
• Bedwetting,
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet,
• Increase in the number of skin infections,
• It manifests itself with symptoms such as a delay in the healing period of wounds.

Diagnosis of Diabetes

Diagnosis of diabetes is determined by measuring fasting blood glucose or oral glucose tolerance test. As a result of the tests to be performed, it is expected that the fasting blood sugar will be in the range of 100 - 125 mg / dl, while if it goes above this range, the presence of diabetes is in question, while the result of the oral glucose tolerance tests is expected to be 140 - 199 mg / dl. Therefore, values ​​above the range play an important role in the diagnosis of diabetes.

Health Problems Caused by Diabetes

It is estimated that 5%-10% of the health expenditures in the world are spent on diabetes. In addition to being a serious health problem, diabetes can cause different health problems in people with this disease.

• Vision loss in adults,
• Blindness,
• Finger or leg amputations in advanced diabetes cases,
• Heart infarction,
• Paralysis,
• It causes health problems such as kidney diseases.

Treatment Methods

Since diabetes is a chronic disease, it is not possible to talk about a clear treatment method. However, keeping the blood sugar level within the normal range plays an important role in minimizing the effects that may be encountered in the disease.

In order to control diabetes, patients should control their own blood sugar, have regular and proper eating habits, and exercise prevent long-term complications. Not smoking and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels also play an important role in the treatment of the disease.