What is diabetes and why? Know how this disease affects the body

What is diabetes and why? Know how this disease affects the body

Diabetes has become a serious health problem nowadays, know in simple language what is diabetes and how this disease affects the body.

Diabetes is a disease in which your body's blood sugar or blood glucose becomes higher than normal. In today's time, the disease of diabetes is increasing rapidly and from elderly people to children are also coming under its grip. According to a report of the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest number of diabetes patients. Diabetes is of two types; Type 1 and Type 2. Of these, type 1 diabetes is genetic, but type 2 diabetes is usually caused by diet and lifestyle. It can be avoided if you take the right steps as soon as the initial symptoms of this disease appear. In order to increase the understanding of diseases among people and to make them aware of diseases, OnlyMyHealth has come up with a special series called 'Understanding Disease'. Today in this series we are telling you what diabetes is and what happens in your body when you have diabetes.

What is diabetes?

In general, diabetes is a disease in which the level of blood sugar or glucose in your body increases. To understand about diabetes, we spoke to Dr. Ritesh, a famous diabetologist at Awadh Hospital in Lucknow. He said that glucose is the most important for energy in the body and it is made from our food. In order to deliver glucose to the cells in the body, insulin is produced from the pancreas and with its help, glucose reaches all the cells of the body. When you have diabetes or diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or does not use it properly. When there is not enough insulin in the body, then sugar or glucose does not reach the cells and dissolves in the blood. This sugar or glucose dissolved in the blood is called blood glucose. As this disease progresses, there is a risk of problems like heart disease, eye disease and kidney failure.

What is sugar and how is it made?

Sugar or glucose is made from your food and is considered the main source of energy for the body. After glucose is made from food, it is sent to all the cells of the body. Sugar is most important for providing nutrition to all body parts, nervous system and muscles. But when the blood sugar starts to increase due to not being able to use insulin properly, this condition is called diabetes.

What is type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is mainly of 2 types. It is known as type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes- In type 1 diabetes, the production of insulin in your pancreas stops and due to this, the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood starts to increase. According to a statistic, about 10 percent of people suffering from diabetes have this problem. Genetic causes and viral infections are believed to be most responsible for type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes- In type 2 diabetes, your pancreas is not able to make insulin according to the needs of the body or the hormone is not working properly in the body. The risk of type 2 diabetes is highest in older people, obese people and those who do not do physical work and pregnant women.

What are the problems of having diabetes?

Diabetic patients are more prone to these problems and problems-

Severe damage to blood vessels.

Low vision.

Risk of hypertension and heart related diseases.

Risk of kidney related diseases.

Death of the patient in severe cases.

According to a statistic, in the year 2016 alone, about 16 lakh people died due to diabetes alone. In order to avoid this serious disease, it is beneficial to include vegetables, fruits and whole grains in the diet. Apart from this, the risk of diabetes is also reduced in people who regularly do physical labor or exercise. If you also see the symptoms of diabetes, then first of all improve your diet and lifestyle and consult your doctor.