We’ve all heard of it, but do you know what it is? Diabetes—it sounds intimidating, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s break down the basics of diabetes in a way that everyone can understand.
What is Diabetes?
Put simply, diabetes is a condition that affects your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. It is caused by either an insufficient production of the hormone insulin or a lack of response from the body’s cells to insulin. Insulin helps the body take glucose out of the blood and put it into our cells so that it can be used for energy. When this process isn’t working properly, glucose levels increase and cause serious health problems.
Types of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes—type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys healthy pancreas cells that produce insulin, resulting in very little or no insulin being produced at all. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin but not enough, or when the cells don’t respond properly to the insulin that is produced (known as “insulin resistance”). Both types require treatment with regular monitoring and lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise changes in order to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Symptoms of Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes vary depending on which type you have, but some common signs include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss despite increased appetite, blurry vision or other eye problems, slow healing wound or sores on your feet/legs/hands, and tingling or numbness in your extremities. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor right away for diagnosis and treatment options.
Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects millions around the world every day. It can be difficult to understand if you’re not familiar with it—but don’t worry! By taking time to learn about what diabetes is and how it affects people’s lives we can better support our friends and family who are living with this condition and work together to ensure they always stay safe and healthy! With proper understanding comes proper prevention—so let’s get informed!