Did you know that diabetes ranks among the top 10 leading causes of death globally, claiming over 6.7 million lives annually?
Diabetes is a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. It arises when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or when the body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects.
This disease affects individuals of all ages. The risk of developing diabetes without a family history is approximately 0.4%. However, if your biological mother has Type 1 diabetes, your risk increases to 1% to 4%, and if your biological father has the condition, your risk ranges from 3% to 8%. If both of your biological parents have Type 1 diabetes, your risk of developing the disease can be as high as 30%.
Common symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, weakness, slow-healing sores, being overweight or obese, and frequent urination. Fortunately, these symptoms and underlying causes can be managed and controlled through regular blood sugar screening, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking.
There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes (which occurs during pregnancy). Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes arises from persistently elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), and gestational diabetes affects how the body uses sugar (glucose) during pregnancy.
While most forms of diabetes are chronic, they can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes, medication, and consistent blood sugar monitoring to maintain healthy glucose levels. However, if management lapses, blood sugar levels can rise, significantly diminishing the likelihood of favorable outcomes and reducing survival chances.
