Diabetes is very common and affects over 22 million people in Pakistan so you are by no means alone!
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease. It means your blood sugar is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs it for energy, but too much glucose in your blood is not good for your health
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: Can incur when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient quantities of insulin. This type occurs most frequently in children and young adults although it can occur at any age. Between 5 to 10% of all Diabetics in Pakistan suffer from Type 1. There does appear to be a genetic component to Type 1 diabetes, but the cause is unknown.
Type 2 Diabetes: Develops when insulin produced by the pancreas is insufficient or defective and cannot carry glucose to the cells. Type 2 is much more common and accounts for 90 to 95% of all diabetics and primarily affects adults. However recently due to changes in our lifestyles, it has begun occurring in children as well. There is a strong correlation between Type 2 diabetes, physical inactivity and obesity.
How is Diabetes diagnosed?
The diagnosis of diabetes is made by a simple blood test measuring your blood glucose level. Usually these tests are repeated on a subsequent day to confirm the diagnosis. A diagnosis of diabetes is a frightening and bewildering experience because there is so much information to take in, and the diagnosis may come as a shock if you don’t feel unwell.
People with Type 2 diabetes may hear their condition described as “mild,” but Type 2 diabetes is not a “mild” medical condition. Both forms and all stages of diabetes are serious, with many possible complications, including eye, heart, kidney, and nerve damage.
Symptoms may occur rapidly with Type 1 diabetes; however, with Type 2 diabetes the onset is more gradual and may not even be noticed.
Symptoms
- Blurred vision
- Unusual thirst
- Frequent urination
- Slow-healing cuts
- Unexplained tiredness
- Rapid weight loss (Type 1 diabetes)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
What is good control?
- Get informed
- Visit your doctor regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Increase your physical activity
- Eat healthy foods
- Test your blood sugars regularly
- Take your prescribed medications on time
