More Understanding About Diabetes, Symptoms, Causes and Control
Things You Need To Know About Diabetes
More Understanding About Diabetes, Symptoms, Causes and Control
You have probably heard people say, “My sugar level is high” or “She has a sugar problem. But what is this sugar sickness, and why is it everywhere these days? So let us talk about Diabetes. It is no longer news. It is now obvious that it is affecting the lives of most parents, uncles, friends, and neighbors slowly.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is what happens when there is too much sugar inside your blood, and the sugar is not where it is supposed to be. Normally, when you eat food like rice, yam, garri (processed from cassava tubers) bread , your body breaks it down and turns it into sugar. These foods function as carbohydrates , an energy-giving food.
So at that time, a special part of your body called the pancreas (we can call it the sugar controller, it is a small organ behind your stomach) sends out a helper called insulin (we can call this insulin an opener that paves the way for sugar to move).
That insulin is supposed to carry the sugar and help it enter your body cells where it can be used as energy , which you need. But in diabetes, that insulin helper is either not working or there is not enough of it. So the sugar stays stuck in your blood and refuses to move. And when sugar stays too long inside your blood, it starts causing issues. It can begin to affect your eyes, your kidneys, your heart, your legs, your skin, even your private parts can be affected. That is how dangerous it is.
How Do You Know You May Have Diabetes?
Sincerely, many people don’t know until it is late. But the signs are always there. You just have to observe them well, Observe the following symptoms ;
1. Frequent Urine: When you urinate too often, especially at night.
2. Thirst: Though it is a good thing to hydrate, but at this stage it is a different thing. You are always thirsty, like you drink water but still feel dry, so it is some how different from how you normally feel thirsty.
3. Eating with no good changes to your body: You eat and eat, yet you are losing weight.
4. Eyes functioning: As soon as you notice that your eyes start becoming blurry , maybe when you are reading a text, it becomes blurry slightly and then returns to normal. It is probably it, but it is a sign.
5. Tiredness: When you feel tired every day, even without stress. This a sign you should not even joke with at all, it does not sound good, to feel tired without any reason, maybe due to stress or after a long day at work. It is worth taking serious.
6. Slow-healing wound: Pay attention to this, maybe you get wounds that don’t heal fast. This is a strong symptom. Be sensitive when this happens it is most likely diabetes. Everything does not have to be a spiritual attack.
7. Itch on private part: Sometimes, you start having itching in your private parts. This symptom needs to be attended to normally, but in Diabetes, take it more seriously.
If you are seeing 2 or 3 of these signs, please go and check your sugar level. Don’t guess. Don’t say “It is probably ordinary malaria.” Know your health status.
What Causes Diabetes?
Some things we do every day are the reason why sugar sickness is rising. That is why I have listed a few causes below:
- Too much sweet food: Taking too many soft drinks, biscuits, chocolates, and sugary tea every day. These things increase your chances of having diabetes.
- Eating heavy food at night: Eating swallow by 9:30pm, and then sleeping by 10pm? It is dangerous for your health. There is no chance of letting the sugar move.
- Lack of exercise: Do you just sit on your phone or watch TV all day? Sometimes go on a walk, just so your body system can be free from whatever might be holding it.
- Family history: It can be hereditary, especially in Type 2. If your parents or relatives had it, the risk of having it is higher.
Yes, it happens, and we have Type 1 and Type 2, so let me explain
- Type 1 : It does not come from eating too much sugar or not exercising. It usually happens when the body’s own system that is meant to protect someone mistakenly attacks and destroys the part of the body that makes insulin.
It can be caused by a sickness, something like a virus, or sometimes the reason is unclear. It is usually not the person’s fault.
- Type 2: This one mostly comes to adults. It happens when the body still makes insulin (the thing that controls sugar) but it is not working well. It mostly comes from eating too much sugar, not exercising, and can be managed with food, exercise, and drugs. This is the type that seems more hereditary.
- Stress and poor sleep: They affect your body’s ability to control sugar. When you do a strenuous job and not having adequate sleep. It may cause more harm
Can Diabetes Be Cured?
Honestly? The answer is No. (As of the time this article is published, there is no cure for diabetes). But it can be controlled, and that is the good news. Many people with diabetes live long and healthy lives if they follow the right steps. But if you ignore it or hide it, it will quietly damage your body.
What Can You Do To Stay Safe?
Here are simple things that can save your life from being destroyed by diabetes:
- Check up: Check your sugar level once in a while. It doesn’t cost much. Even pharmacies can do it, find one nearby and do your check-up.
- Avoid sweet drinks: Stop drinking soft drinks every day, especially ones with high sugar content. Water is your friend. Take more water instead
3. Eating style: Eat more vegetables and less white rice. Eat more fish and reduce red meat.
4. Exercise more: Walk around daily. No need for a gym. You don’t need to carry heavy things. Just take a walk. This small tip helps a lot.
5. Adequate sleep: Always sleep well. Your body needs it. So get more sleep.
6. Overthinking: Say no to too much stress and overthinking. It is not just for peace of mind, it helps your sugar stay in control. And if you already have diabetes, please take your drugs. Don’t stop because you feel fine.
Don’t mix it with herbs without asking your doctor.
It is your life. Please don’t joke with it.
