Hello friends, today I bring you a simple explanation about diabetes, a disease that has become very popular in recent years, so I think we should all know it thoroughly, Let's start ...
The first thing we must be clear about is the process of digestion, when we eat, the food goes to the esophagus, then to the stomach and from there to the intestines where it is absorbed, after being absorbed the substances in the intestine go to the blood, from there they are captured by the cells that need them.
WHAT IS THE DIABETES?
Diabetes is a condition in which there are high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. High blood sugar levels are due to the fact that it is not absorbed or is not absorbed correctly.
The question now is, what do we need for glucose to be absorbed? ... To absorb glucose we need a hormone called insulin. imagine insulin as a butler, the body's cells can not absorb the glucose present in the blood alone, they need a butler to present them.
WHERE IS INSULIN PRODUCED?
Insulin is produced in the pancreas, the pancreas is a mixed gland, this means that it fulfills double function, an exocrine function by which secretes pancreatic juice (which reaches the digestive tract and helps to degrade food) and an endocrine function by which secretes hormones, including our butler, insulin.
IS INSULIN PRODUCED ALL THE TIME?
No !, the release of insulin is stimulated by the presence of high blood glucose levels
TYPES OF DIABETES
- Diabetes type I: The body does not produce insulin, this type of diabetes can not be prevented, and occurs in 10% of cases.
- Diabetes type II: The body does not produce enough insulin or produces enough but does not use it properly, this type of diabetes if it can be prevented and occurs in 90% of cases.
CAUSES OF DIABETES
-CAUSES OF TYPE I DIABETES: It occurs when the immune system (responsible for protecting the body against foreign agents) attacks the cells of the pancreas responsible for producing insulin, it is unknown why, but it is presumed that it is linked to genetic factors and environmental
-CAUSES OF DIABETES TYPE II: This can have several causes:
- Overweight and sedentary lifestyle: Excess weight and physical inactivity cause insulin resistance.
- Insulin resistance: Because the cells do not use insulin properly.
- Genes and family history: People whose family members have suffered diabetes, are more likely to suffer it. Also some specific ethnic groups: African Americans, Native Alaskans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, Native Hawaiians and Natives of the Pacific Islands.
- Genetic mutations: When the gene that produces insulin is affected.
- Some hormonal diseases: such as cushing syndrome, acromegaly and hyperthyroidism
DIABETES SYMPTOMS
- Excessive thirst.
- Need to urinate frequently.
- Weightloss.
- Sickness.
- Heridas that take a long time to heal.
- Blurry vision.
DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES
Several methods are used to diagnose diabetes:
- Fasting plasma glucose (PGA): Diagnosis is made by measuring the blood glucose level, for this it is necessary to take a blood sample and the person must be fasting.
- Test of oral tolerance to glucose (PTOG): It requires fasting, a blood sample is taken after the patient has ingested a glucose solution.
- A1C: It is also a blood test, this test indicates the average levels of blood glucose in the last 3 months, to perform this test it does not matter if you ate food before.
TREATMENT OF DIABETES
- Diet low in glucose
- Physical activity
- Pastillas associated with insulin: LAs which your doctor will prescribe after being diagnosed with diabetes.
- Administration of insulin using an insulin syringe that is supplied in the subcutaneous tissue, is rarely supplied in the muscles and is under strict medical supervision.
PREVENTION OF DIABETES
As I mentioned before, you can only prevent diabetes II, having a healthy and balanced diet, a healthy weight and practicing some physical activity.
I hope you liked it and have understood, any doubt can leave it in the comments, Regards.
Thanks to @ juliomendoza01 for their support in this post.