What is Diabetes?

The term ‘diabetes’ means excessive urination and the word ‘Mellitus’ means honey.

Diabetes can be a lifelong condition caused by a lack of, or insufficiency of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that converts sugar, starches, and other foods into energy that your body needs to get through the day. There are currently 250,000 people living with Diabetes in Ireland.

Main Types of Diabetes

There’s a significant difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, and it can often be difficult for people to understand.

Type 1 Diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the body’s own immune system attacks and damages beta-cell. Beta Cells are the cells that make insulin in the pancreas. That means patients have little or no insulin themselves, so they have to take it into their bodies artificially.

Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes:

  • Increased thirst and Urination.
  • Constant Hunger.
  • Weight Loss.
  • Blurred Vision.
  • Extreme Tiredness.

Type 1 Diabetes is caused by Genetic, environmental and auto-immune factors. These factors generally mean is cannot be prevented. It tends to occur in childhood or early adult life, and always requires treatment with insulin injections.

Type 2 Diabetes more often than not, develops slowly during adulthood. But it’s become more common in children and teens over the past 20 years, largely because more young people are overweight or obese. About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.

Warning Signs of Type 2 Diabetes:

  • Fatigue.
  • Slow-healing wounds.
  • Pain and numbness in hands or feet. These symptoms can be mild and can often go unnoticed.

This type of Diabetes is usually caused by lifestyle habits, genetics, and aging. It can usually be controlled by the correct diet and adequate exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is preventable – in some cases. You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy diet and staying active. Most importantly, you can reduce your risk by watching the waistline and maintaining a weight appropriate for your height.

Treatment of Diabetes Type 1

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes involves injecting insulin into the fatty tissue just under your skin. You can use:

  • Syringes
  • Insulin pens that use prefilled cartridges and a thin needle
  • Jet injectors that use high-pressure air to send a spray of insulin through your skin
  • Pumps that send insulin through a tube to a catheter under the skin of your belly

Management of Diabetes Type 2

Managing your Diabetes involves Weight loss, Healthy eating & Regular exercise.

Losing weight can lower your blood sugar levels. Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar. Check your blood sugar level before any activity. Try to move around a bit every 30 minutes. It helps to choose activities that you enjoy, such as walking or swimming so that you can make them part of your daily routine.

Controlling portions and eating healthy foods are simple ways to start taking the weight off. There is no specific “Diabetic Diet”, even though many would have you believe it. By centering your diet around the following things, you’re well on your way to steadily managing your Diabetes:

  • Fewer calories.
  • Less refined carbohydrates. Especially those sweet treats.
  • Less saturated fats.
  • Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and fiber-filled foods.

Controlling Your Diabetes

Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re at the mercy of Diabetes. You can control it. You can do this by eating healthily, taking regular physical activity, and complying with the prescribed regime of medication. Have your annual check-up to ensure sure you’re still in control of all aspects of your diabetes.

You can call Dr. Natalia Bratu for an appointment on advice.
Email :Info@refineclinic.ie

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