Diabetes is a health condition affecting the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar or glucose levels properly. This page discusses the types, symptoms, causes and management of diabetes.
What is diabetes
Diabetes is a health condition affecting the body's ability to regulate blood sugar or glucose levels properly.
Insulin (a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar) helps the body break down carbohydrates in food to glucose (sugar). The glucose is released into the bloodstream. Glucose is transported through the blood to the cell, absorbed and used for energy.
With diabetes, insulin is deficient. Either the pancreas makes little to no insulin, or the body cannot use the insulin produced properly. When this occurs, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, causing elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia).
Diabetes affects people of all ages and can be primarily managed with medications and lifestyle changes.
What are the types of Diabetes
There are three types of diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
How does hypertension affect diabetes?Hypertension might not cause diabetes directly, but it can increase the risk of developing diabetes - Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Studies show that they both share some common causes, such as:
Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease by two to three times over ten years and chronic kidney disease by one in every three people.
Atherosclerosis, caused by a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, damages them, resulting in high blood pressure and blood vessel damage in the kidneys and nephrons.
Untreated diabetes can lead to heart attacks and kidney failure. High blood pressure also increases the risk of gestational diabetes complications and contributes to insulin resistance.
What are diabetes-related complications?
Type 1 and 2 diabetes can increase your risk of developing health conditions that affect major organs of the body, including.
Cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.
Diabetes-related nephropathy (kidney disease).
Diabetes-related neuropathy (nerve damage) leads to tingling, pain, or numbness in the legs.
Diabetic retinopathy and vision problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and blindness.
Numbness and foot ulcers can lead to possible amputation when left untreated.
Hearing loss
Skin conditions, like dry skin and bacterial and fungal infections.
Sexual dysfunction.
Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia
Depression
Gestational diabetes can lead to severe complications in pregnancy, such as:
Pre-eclampsia is pregnancy-induced high blood pressure that can lead to organ damage.
Stillbirth/miscarriage
Type 2 Diabetes: Women with gestational diabetes and their children have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Increased birth weight of the baby
Hypoglycemia and seizures in newborns.
Premature birth
Navigating diabetes
Navigating diabetes requires a comprehensive approach. Consider factors such as the type, symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. Individuals will live healthier lives if they are equipped with the right knowledge of diabetes and understand how to manage it. Always consult a healthcare professional(s) for personalised guidance.
How does Reliance Health help those managing diabetes?Healthcare plans from Reliance Health provide access to care, including medication management for several chronic conditions. For Diabetes, we partner with Platos Health to give you the required medical hands to manage your condition. You can access this plan as part of your overall healthcare package from Reliance Health. Click here to get started, or send the link to your HR.
