Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. It can cause life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke and blindness.
In the United States, diabetes is a major health issue especially among young adults and pregnant mothers. As of 2015 over 25 million people in America have some form of Type 2 Diabetes or pre-diabetes. Another 300 million Americans are at high risk due to impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
It’s estimated that an additional 10–15% by 2025 will suffer from IGT with continuing population growth. They frequently walk around without realizing the risks they are taking.
Types of Diabetes
Globally, an estimated 300 million people are living with diabetes condition. However, there are two main types of diabetes, which include Type 1 and 2 in which both states have equivalent symptoms but in different forms. Type 1 diabetes affects about 20% to 25% of all patients worldwide while type 2 affected around 80-90% of the cases.
There are three types of diabetes namely:
1. Type 1 diabetes
This is the most common form of diabetes, and it is an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes have a deficiency of insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas that enables the use and storage of glucose in muscle cells throughout our body. This results from an autoimmune process directed at insulin-producing beta cells within those pancreatic islets. In those affected, these antibodies cause immune destruction as well as functional impairment to other tissues receiving instructions from this same type of cell population.
2. Type 2 diabetes
Multifactorial abnormalities in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism that involves insulin resistance are the cause for this type of diabetic. Type 2 diabetes is a condition, where the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (beta cells) may be unable to effectively respond and produce enough insulin. The body’s ability to move blood sugar from tissue into the general circulation can also become abnormal while glucose levels remain elevated beyond health limits at times lasting for years or even decades without treatment.
3. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
This is a condition where pregnancy temporarily raises Blood Glucose levels above normal range due to lack of blood glucose tolerance factor’s release by body after birth has occurred because the placenta takes over most functions carried out during gestation Thereafter glycogen stores which usually stores glucose become depleted category to colonize the fetus.
Common Risk Factors that Causes Diabetes
The most common risk factors associated with diabetes include:
1. Age
The incidence of diabetes rises sharply with age. It is most common in people aged 25–54 years, but increasing numbers are being diagnosed as they get older. For instance, 40% of people with type 2 diabetes are aged 65 years or older.
2. Heredity
A person’s chances of developing Type 1 Diabetes increase if close relatives have had the disease. It is estimated that up to 50% of those who develop Type 1 will also inherit it from a genetically related family member (e.g. 41%). This scientific fact has been statistically demonstrated in several research studies on twins and co-twins.
3. Inactivity
The more inactive you are, the greater your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes is believed to be associated with a lack of exercise other common factors that increase your chance to develop diabetes include obesity and inadequate diet. Exercise does not guarantee good health but it has been shown again and again that light-intensity exercises such as brisk walking can lower blood glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia or incurring any dangerous complications. If you can engage in physical movements and movement for three to five hours daily, then usually your blood glucose levels will not be too high or low.
4. Diet
Type 2 diabetics need to be cautious about diet and there are known increases in obesity factors such as high-calorie intake fast food junk foods which also increase the chance of Type 2 Diabetes. Ginger root tea is an effective anti-diet belt that helps open up arteries and blood circulation.
5. Underweight or Overweight
People of all ages may develop Type II Diabetes Mellitus if they lose 5% of their body weight. An overweight person who loses less than 5% may not develop diabetes or has very low risk of developing it. A normal body weight may help protect against Type 2 Diabetes.
6. Too Much Sugar
Sugar is very high in calories and may increase blood glucose levels which can cause an unhealthy weight gain, particularly for men. These are bad news fats that can lead to cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) which always carry with it a risk of stroke or heart attack while others eliminate foods causing “The Typical Meal” consisting of all kinds of sugar, fat and starch.
7. Stress
The cortisol levels in the blood can contribute to increasing Risk Factors for hypertension (high Blood Pressure). However, it is generally accepted that the best diet plan involves Dampening stress by exercising daily while avoiding alcohol or drugs like nicotine which induces high up-per body temperature leading to obesity, strokes, etc. Exercise plays a key role in reducing risk factors related to diabetes; another great tip is regular eating and eating smaller portions or low-calorie diets.
8. Fatty Meals
In case you are tempted to go out for dinner, news flash – fatty meal raises the risk of high blood cholesterol which if untreated can contribute to coronary artery disease (Heart Disease) and stroke.
9. Obesity
This is the biggest and most severe risk factor for Diabetes Type II. According to several studies, obesity can increase one’s risk of developing diabetes by almost 30%. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that both excess weight and abdominal adipose tissue (fat in your belly), contribute to elevated fasting plasma glucose levels, hyperinsulinemia (high blood sugar) and insulin resistance associated with Type 2 diabetes. The key here is to keep your body fat percentage as low as possible, preferably within the healthy and normal range. Because adolescents (particularly girls) need more calories than adults do, it is almost mandatory that they maintain a balanced diet and an active lifestyle through school years.
10. Cigarettes
Smoking increases the risk of diabetes by four times than non-smokers if it continued for twenty years, and decreases your life expectancy at age 20–65 years, even after stopping smoking. A survey in 1988 found daily smokers had a 60% increased chance to develop Type 2 diabetes compared with non-smokers who do not smoke. The risks increase proportionally with each cigarette smoked.
11. Poverty
Likely one among the top reasons that initiate diabetic syndromes addition is poverty. People who end up with lower incomes could be more likely to become underweight eat less healthily because they don’t have access to their regular meals; instead opting tones of sugary foods.
12. Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption for adults is a risk factor but not a “wonder remedy” sugar substitutes may cause kidney problems and alcohol -cocktails are created with all kinds of sugars which can worsen diabetes. Of course, it is fine to drink in moderation, however, the most important tip occurs over time – switch from an exclusive or heavy drinking routine towards a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, changing diet plan to one that includes increased intake of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as a variety of other herbs and spices.
In conclusion, there are a lot of reasons why diabetes occurs, but it is not a fatal disease. It can be managed with proper diet and lifestyle changes. The key to good health is moderation and avoiding the worst excesses of life.
