What is Diabetes

What is Diabetes

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Diabetes occurs when the gland called the pancreas in the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin produced.

Symptoms of Diabetes

  • Dryness and itching of the skin,
  • Feeling of fatigue and weakness,
  • Involuntary and rapid weight loss,
  • Acetone-like odor in the mouth,
  • Blurred vision,
  • Delayed healing time of wounds,
  • Diabetes can occur as a result of conditions such as numbness and tingling in the feet.

Diabetes, which develops when the insulin hormone cannot be produced or the insulin hormone produced cannot be used and will continue for life, cannot remove glucose and sugar that pass into the blood from the food consumed and blood sugar rises. There are mainly two types of diabetes. It is divided into Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, which can be seen at any age and is most common in childhood and youth, is diabetes caused by the lack of the hormone insulin. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce any insulin and it is commonly seen in adolescence before the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, usually occurs in older people and the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells in the body do not respond to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a more common type of diabetes.

Causes of Diabetes

  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Advancing age
  • Leading a sedentary lifestyle
  • Genetically inherited diabetes
  • Causes such as giving birth to a heavier than normal baby and the development of gestational diabetes during pregnancy can lead to diabetes.

What can be done to treat diabetes?

  • People with diabetes should be made aware and should receive education on this subject.
  • Attention should be paid to medical nutrition and a diet program suitable for the person's diabetes should be applied.
  • The diet should be reinforced with exercise and activities, and a mobile and healthy life should be ensured.
  • People with diabetes should monitor their own condition.
  • Under the control of a doctor, medication that lowers blood sugar should be applied.

Why should diabetes be treated?

  • Treatment is necessary to reduce blood sugar to normal levels.
  • Uncontrolled blood sugar can damage the vascular system. It becomes evident in the peripheral nerves, kidneys and especially in the eye bases.
  • Excessive thirst, frequent and abundant urination,
  • Treatment is necessary to protect against the harms of high and low blood sugar and to maintain a better quality of life.
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CreatorNP Istanbul Hospital Editorial Board
Updated At05 March 2024
Created At29 January 2021
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