Diabetes

Definition
The term diabetes mellitus leads to several health conditions that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is essential for health because it is the main energy source for muscle and tissue.

If you have any type of diabetes, it means you have too much glucose. Too much glucose in the blood will cause serious problems. Chronic diabetes consists of type 1 diabetes and type 2.

Symptom
Symptoms of diabetes vary according to type of diabetes you have. If you have prediabetes (blood sugar levels higher than normal but not enough to be categorized as diabetes) or gestational diabetes (elevated blood sugar during pregnancy) probably will not experience symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes type 1 and type 2 include:
• Frequent thirst
• Frequent urination
• Very hungry
• Lost weight suddenly
• Fatigue
• blurred vision
• If a wound, the wound is difficult to heal
• Frequent infections, such as gum or skin infections and vaginal infections or bladder

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and adolescents although basically can occur at any age. Diabetes type 2, which is the most common type can occur at any age and can often be prevented.


Causes & Risk Factors
Cause

To be able to understand about diabetes you need to know how the body's glucose is processed normally.

How to work as normal glucose
Glucose is the main source of energy for the body. Glucose comes from two main sources, which are foods and liver. When the sugar-digesting foods are absorbed into the bloodstream with the assistance of insulin (a hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism). The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreas.

In this process the liver acts as a storage warehouse and processing center. For example, when you do not eat for some time, the liver releases stored glucose to maintain glucose levels remain normal.

- The cause of type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, your immune system that normally serves to fight off bacteria or viruses attacking the hormone insulin. This condition makes you short or no insulin. Instead delivered into cells, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream.

- Causes of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
In prediabetes condition - which can lead to type 2 diabetes - and type 2 diabetes, cells become resistant to the hormone insulin. This causes the pancreas can not produce enough insulin. Instead of flowing into the cell, the sugar will accumulate in the blood. The exact cause is unknown although the excess fat and passive behavior is an important factor.

- The cause of gestational diabetes
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones to sustain pregnancy. This hormone makes cells more resistant to insulin. As the enlargement of the placenta in the second and third three months, the hormone is more produced.
Normally the pancreas responds by producing more insulin. But sometimes the pancreas just can not respond. It makes a lot of glucose accumulate in the blood and is not absorbed into cells.


Risk factors

Risk factors for diabetes are based on the type of diabetes.

- Risk factors for type 1 diabetes
Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, hereditary factors may influence. Another factor is affected by diseases caused by viruses.

- Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
• Fats. The more fat in your body tissues, the higher the resistance to insulin.
• Conduct passive. Passive behavior will make the fat in the body does not burn. Physical activity will help control it and the more the use of glucose for energy then your cells more sensitive to glucose.
• Heredity.
• Age. The risk increases with age where physical activity tends to decrease.
• Gestational diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes when pregnant, the risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes will increase later. If your baby is born weighing over 4 pounds then you are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome. Characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excessive hair growth and obesity.

Other conditions associated with diabetes include:
• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol


Prevention

Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. However, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyles.
• Eat healthy foods low in calories and fat
• More physically active, especially with exercise
• Maintain ideal body weight