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Diabetes has been a prominent issue among many people in our modern era of industrialization and modernization. According to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the last 20 or so years has gone from 30 million to 246 million worldwide which comprises of 7% of the current global population. So with such a high risk of getting diabetes, how much do you know? Here’s some information about diabetes to help get you started off.
The Ever Infamous Diabetes Type 1
Of course, we’ve all heard of the famous Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. So let’s start with the first. Type 1 diabetes is actually an autoimmune disease where the pancreas produces little or close to no insulin at all. Since insulin is the substance that converts glucose into glycogen(does not contribute to blood sugar level), a lack of it will therefore result in an accumulation of glucose in the blood, ultimately causing a spike in blood sugar levels whenever one consumes a carbohydrate rich meal. Due to the fact that in this case, insulin producing pancreas cells are destroyed, the disease is unfortunately, permanent and requires treatment in the form of either insulin pump or insulin shots. Those who usually get this disease or are diagnosed with it tend to be under the age of 20 and once diagnosed, they will have to watch their blood sugar level very closely. One major factor related to getting Type 1 diabetes happens to be inheritance.
And Then There’s Type 1’s brother, Type 2!
Type 2 on the other hand happens when the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or in some cases, when the insulin is produced but is not efficiently made use of by the body. This type of diabetes mellitus happens to be triggered by one’s sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity and also being overweight and/or obese. Many refer to it as a lifestyle disease as lifestyle happens to be one of, if not the major factor contributing to the contraction of Type 2 diabetes. Not to mention, studies show that 90% of all diabetes cases are Type 2. While Type 1 diabetes is irreversible, with a major change of diet and lifestyle incorporating less sugar and alcohol, one can possibly reverse their condition. However, it is extremely important to note that aside from diet and lifestyle choices, age and heritance also play major roles in determining the risk of a person being labeled a diabetic.
And Of Course the Relatively Unknown Type 3…
And at last, we have the relatively unknown member of the diabetes family, type 3, which is commonly known as Gestational diabetes. This type affects much less of the population as only women are able to be diagnosed with it. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which diabetes is contracted by a pregnant woman in her second trimester of pregnancy which almost always disappears after the a baby is born. Out of the current studied female population, it is estimated that around 4% of all women contract it, with most cases going under the radar as they end up posing no prominent threat to the health of either the mother or the infant. Women undergoing a 2nd pregnancy following their 1st (after already contracting Gestational diabetes) will have a higher chance of getting it again, leading to a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Of course, another prominent factor happens to age where older age increases one’s chances of getting this type of diabetes.
To Wrap it All Up,
In conclusion, it’s always advisable that one manages to monitor their diet and sugar intake to lessen their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes and to keep all 3 types under control and in check at all times. Stay tuned to find out more about diabetes and what you can do about it! In the meantime, is there anything you guys would like to share regarding diabetes?
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by Thiiban
Ambiverted thinker with a big heart and big dreams. Chronically clumsy but always emotionally aware. I truly believe that with every great opportunity comes great responsibility to do great things. View all articles by Thiiban.
