What Causes Diabetes And How To Control It?

Have you ever wondered, how do you become a diabetic? What causes you to develop this disease and how does your body react to it?

Our body gets its energy from most of the food we eat which is converted into glucose, or sugar. A hormone named insulin, made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into the cells of our body. When your body either doesn’t make sufficient insulin or can’t use its insulin as well as it should, you develop diabetes. This results in sugars to build up in the blood.

It’s becoming a more and more common hormonal problem which, if left untreated, can lead to diabetic problems such as diabetic neuropathy, kidney problems, heart problems, and other illnesses. In extreme cases, it can also cause kidney failure amputation, blindness, & stroke if it reaches an advanced level.

Diabetes is foreseen by a clear set of signs, but most of the time it goes undiagnosed. The three main diabetes signs can be increased thirst, increased need to urinate, & increased hunger. If you feel you are facing any of them, as the first step, it’s recommended to use a diabetes check machine, so that if there is any problem, you will get the indication.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. The cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system where insulin is made. It’s still unknown as to what causes this attack. It’s said that about 10 percent of people with diabetes have this type.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, creating more sugar in your blood.

Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar is more than it needs to be, but it doesn’t reach a stage where it becomes necessary for you to have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a problem faced by women at the time of pregnancy. The sugar level in the blood increases above the normal range. Insulin-blocking hormones generated by the placenta result in this type of diabetes.

Causes of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

Doctors have not been able to identify the cause of type 1 diabetes till date. Due to some reason, your immune system wrongly attacks and breaks-up the insulin creating beta cells in the pancreas. It can be due to one’s genes as well, or the virus sets off the immune system.

Type 2 diabetes

The cause of type 2 diabetes arises either because of genetics or lifestyle characteristics, or a mix of both. Risk of diabetes increases if you are overweight or obese. Holding up extra weight, especially in your abdomen, makes your cells more resistant to the impact of insulin on your blood sugar. This is a condition that is passed on from a family member. Having the same genes means you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight.

Gestational diabetes

This is a condition that is caused because of hormonal shifts at the time of pregnancy. The placenta generates hormones that make the cells less sensitive to the effects of insulin in a pregnant woman. This results in high blood sugar at the time of pregnancy.

How to control?

Eating healthy & having a healthy lifestyle has become significant in today’s time. So, in most cases, changing your diet may be sufficient to control diabetes. Problems that arise due to diabetes can be deterred or significantly stopped by practicing good control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Have a balanced diet

The level of sugar in your blood increases or declines depending on your diet. Food that has more sugar content and is starchy makes blood sugar levels rise quickly. Eating more protein and fat also results in the rising of the same. So, if your diet includes large quantity of proteins and fats, it’s advised for you to check your sugar level from time to time to be on the safer side. You can check it easily with the help of a sugar testing machine.

And if you feel like visiting a doctor, don’t give it a second thought. Your doctor may ask you to limit the number of carbohydrates you eat each day. Also, balancing your carb intake with your insulin doses is another thing that you need to follow. Discover the foods you should avoid if you have diabetes or consult a nutritionist who will guide you. Thus, it’s essential to have a balance of protein, fat, and carbs in your diet.

Exercise

Any type of physical activity, either walking, running, or doing yoga and dancing helps you feel better. And in today’s time, it has become significant to include atleast one physical activity in your routine. It helps you boost your sensitivity to insulin, which means it works better in your body resulting in stabilizing your blood sugar levels. A 30-minute workout everyday is a must to keep your body active and diabetic free.

Avoid Stress

Stress leaves you with a feeling of emotional & physical tension. It can come with any situation, leaving you irritated or angry. It’s also one of the reasons that your blood sugar levels rise and make you less sensitive to insulin. Your body acquires a “fight or flight” reaction when you are under stress. It means you will feel like having more sugar and fat which is demanded by your body for energy. Accordingly, if something is disturbing you, try to divert your mind that can help you relax. You can exercise, spend time with friends, meditate, listen to music, or replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

Quit Smoking

“Smoking is injurious to health”. We come across this particular line so many times in a day or two. So it’s time you take it seriously & kick the habit. You will be able to control your blood sugar levels in a better way.

If you smoke regularly, there are high chances of you having severe health problems as well as a higher possibility for difficulties from diabetes. So, ensure that you quit this habit right away.