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Introduction to diabetes
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True or false? There is a cure that can heal all types of diabetes.
Leon has just devoured a delicious plate of pasta. As his body digests the food, most of it is broken down into simple sugar — glucose. The glucose is released into the bloodstream, causing the level of blood sugar to rise. This sends a signal to an organ called the pancreas. The pancreas releases a hormone — insulin.
Think of insulin as a key that opens cells so they can take up glucose from blood. Glucose is the main source of energy for cells. As cells take up the glucose, the level of blood sugar drops back to normal. If everything goes well, with the help of insulin, blood sugar levels remain relatively stable. But for some people, this whole process doesn’t quite work as it should.
Their bodies might not produce insulin, or might not use insulin properly. Because of this, their blood sugar is not regulated in the same way. These people have diabetes. There are several different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are the most common.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin at all. Without insulin, glucose from the bloodstream cannot enter cells. Scientists believe that type 1 diabetes is caused by genes or certain environmental factors, such as viruses. There is nothing a person can do to prevent it. In type 2 diabetes, the body does produce insulin, but there is either not enough insulin, or, the insulin is not effective in opening up cells.
As a result, not all of the glucose in the blood is taken up by cells. Doctors agree that type 2 diabetes is related to lifestyle. A person may be able to lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by eating healthily and staying physically active. Regardless of the type of diabetes, when a person has diabetes, glucose is not able to enter cells. So, glucose starts to build up in the blood.
Excessive glucose in the blood is known as hyperglycaemia, and it can lead to a number of problems. Hyperglycaemia can make a person feel extremely thirsty, irritable, or tired. It can make them feel the need to urinate frequently which might lead to dehydration. It can also cause stomach ache, weight loss, yeast infections, or slow healing of wounds. In the long-term, hyperglycaemia can lead to other serious health complications, including damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, or nerves.
For this reason, people with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels and make sure that they stay within a normal range. Managing blood sugar levels usually depends on the type of diabetes. For those who have type 1 and do not produce any insulin, the only way for them to lower their blood sugar level is by injecting insulin. They have to be very careful about the dose, as too much insulin can bring down blood sugar levels too low, causing hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia can have serious complications, and even be life-threatening.
Treating type 2 diabetes usually involves making changes to eating habits and exercise levels. This is sometimes enough to keep blood sugar levels under control. If not, people need to take medication that helps their cells to take up the glucose from the blood. Diabetes is a long-term, or chronic, condition. There is still no cure for it.
If not managed properly, it can cause serious health complications. But with the right care and treatments, a person can live a normal life, and enjoy the same foods and activities as anyone else!