Prevent Diabetes As Early As Possible

Diabetes or diabetes is a disease that can cause many dangerous complications. In addition, the incidence of diabetes is increasing, this makes diabetes a disease that cannot be underestimated. In general, diabetes can be divided into two types, namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, so that glucose or sugar that is consumed cannot be processed. Meanwhile, diabetes 2 is a condition when the body cannot use insulin properly. Apart from that, diabetes can also occur during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Whatever the type, this disease can then cause high blood sugar (glucose) levels. If left unchecked, this uncontrolled high blood sugar can cause a number of dangerous complications.

Fasting blood sugar test results that show blood sugar levels less than 100 mg / dL indicate normal blood sugar levels. Fasting blood sugar test results between 100-125 mg / dL indicate that the patient has prediabetes. Meanwhile, the fasting blood sugar test results of 126 mg / dL or more indicate that the patient is diabetic. If the blood sugar test results show a sugar level of 200 mg / dL or more, the patient can be diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes can develop rapidly within a few weeks, even days. Whereas in type 2 diabetes, many sufferers do not realize that they have had diabetes for years, because the symptoms tend to be non-specific. Some of the characteristics of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:

• Often feel thirsty.

• Urinate frequently, especially at night.
• Often feel very hungry.
• Loss of weight for no apparent reason.
• Reduced muscle mass.
• There are ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat due to the fact that the body cannot use sugar as an energy source.
  Limp.
• Blurred vision.
• Wounds that are difficult to heal.
• Frequent infections, for example in the gums, skin, vagina, or urinary tract.

Several other symptoms can also be a sign that someone has diabetes, including:

• Dry mouth.
• Burning, stiffness, and pain in the legs.
• Itchy
• Erectile dysfunction or impotence.
• Easily offended.
• Experiencing reactive hypoglycemia, which is hypoglycemia that occurs several hours after eating due to excessive insulin production.
• The appearance of black spots around the neck, armpits as a sign of insulin resistance.

Some people develop prediabetes, which is a condition when the glucose in the blood is above normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. A person who has prediabetes can suffer from type 2 diabetes if not treated properly.

Diabetes Risk Factors
A person will be more prone to developing type 1 diabetes if they have risk factors, such as:

• Have a family history of type 1 diabetes.

• Suffering from a viral infection.
• White people are thought to be more prone to type 1 diabetes than other races.
• Traveling to areas far from the equator (equator).
• Type 1 diabetes mostly occurs at the ages of 4-7 years and 10-14 years, although type 1 diabetes can appear at any age.

Whereas in the case of type 2 diabetes, a person will experience this condition more easily if they have risk factors, such as:

• Overweight.
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
• Less active. Physical activity helps control body weight, burns glucose for energy, and makes body cells more sensitive to insulin. Lack of physical activity makes a person more prone to type 2 diabetes.
• Age. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age.
• Suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Have abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A person who has low levels of good cholesterol or HDL (high-density lipoportein) and high triglyceride levels is more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Right Tips To Prevent Diabetes

The cause of type 1 diabetes is not certain. However, this condition is associated with autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, and heredity. Because it is not certain, the prevention cannot be ascertained. Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes is known to be associated with genetic factors, unhealthy lifestyles, obesity, and urine resistance. Then how can we avoid diabetes? Here are the tips:

1. Live a Healthy Diet

Limit consumption of foods and drinks high in sugar, calories, and fat, such as processed foods, cakes, ice cream, and fast food. To reduce your risk of developing diabetes, limit your daily sugar intake to 40 grams or the equivalent of 9 teaspoons of sugar. Increase the consumption of vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds that contain lots of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Avoid soft drinks or packaged fruit juices that have high sugar levels and drink lots of water at least 8 glasses per day.

2. Exercise Regularly and Maintain Ideal Body Weight

Regular exercise has many benefits, one of which is to prevent the body from developing diabetes. Regular exercise can help the body use the insulin hormone more effectively, 

so that blood sugar levels can be better controlled. Do exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. The ideal body weight can be determined using a BMI (body mass index) calculator. If a high BMI value exceeds the normal limit, this is one of the factors that can increase a person's risk of developing diabetes. Therefore it is important to maintain ideal body weight so that it does not exceed normal values.

3. Manage Stress Well and Get Adequate Rest

Stress that is not properly managed can increase the risk of developing diabetes. This is because when you experience stress, your body releases stress hormones (cortisol) which can increase blood sugar levels and don't forget to get enough rest for at least 7 hours every day.

4. Checking Blood Sugar Routinely

To assess blood sugar levels, it is necessary to check blood sugar regularly to a doctor. This blood sugar check may need to be preceded by fasting at least 10 hours before the test is done, it is important to monitor blood sugar levels and detect diabetes early.