Preventing Complications of COVID-19 for Diabetics

Diabetes Mellitus or diabetes is a disease wherein the blood sugar levels are high because the body cannot release or use insulin.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, which is the main substance responsible for maintaining blood sugar levels. Insulin causes sugar to move into the body's cells so that it can produce energy or be stored as energy reserves.
Types of Diabetes
In general, diabetes can be divided into two types, namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
1 Type 1 diabetes
Occurs because the patient's immune system attacks and destroys the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. This results in an increase in blood glucose levels, resulting in damage to body organs. Type 1 diabetes is also known as autoimmune diabetes. The triggers for the onset of this autoimmune state are still not known with certainty. The strongest suspicion is that it is caused by genetic factors from the patient who are also influenced by environmental factors.
2. Type 2 diabetes
Is a type of diabetes that occurs more often. This type of diabetes is caused by the body's cells becoming less sensitive to insulin, so the insulin produced cannot be used properly (resistance of the body's cells to insulin). About 90-95% percent of diabetics in the world suffer from this type of diabetes.
Apart from the two types of diabetes, there is a special type of diabetes in pregnant women called gestational diabetes. Diabetes in pregnancy is caused by hormonal changes, and blood sugar will return to normal after pregnant women undergo labor.
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.
Frequent urination, especially at night.
 Often feels very hungry.
 Loss of weight for no apparent reason.
Lack of 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.
Leasy.
 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:
 Mouth dry.
 Burning, stiffness, and pain in the feet.
- Itching.
Erectile dysfunction or impotence.
 Easily offended.
Have 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, and groin, (acanthosis nigricans) as a sign of insulin resistance.

Risks of compiling COVID-19 in people with diabetes

People who have diabetes will not increase their risk of getting COVID-19. However, if you are infected with COVID-19, you will be at risk of experiencing severe symptoms and require special treatment in the hospital.
diabetes must be more vigilant against COVID-19 infection. Here are ways that sufferers can do to avoid corona virus infection and its complications.

How to Prevent Complications of COVID-19 in Diabetes Patients
Diabetes is a comorbid disease. If you have this disease and are infected with COVID-19, you will be at risk for developing severe symptoms. Therefore, do prevention strategies as early as possible.
There are two important things that can be done, namely
1. As much as possible avoiding COVID-19 infection
2. Control blood sugar.
To prevent yourself from being exposed to COVID-19, try not to leave the house except for very important things and carry out various health protocols. For example, if you have to leave the house, use a mask, wash your hands regularly, and keep your distance.
Meanwhile, to control blood sugar, there are four things you can do. These four things are commonly known as the four pillars of diabetes mellitus management. What is that?
1. Education
The first thing you have to do is to learn various things related to diabetes. What foods can increase blood sugar and what do not, what exercise you should do and what the duration of your exercise needs, etc.
2. Diet
Diet adjustments are intended to help keep blood sugar levels from rising.
Basically, the food needs for diabetics are almost the same as the needs of the general public, namely balanced nutrition and according to nutrition. You just have to continue to be disciplined in maintaining food and counting the quality and quantity of calories that have been consumed.
Cut down on foods that have a high glycemic index, such as bread, rice, potatoes, and especially sodas and sugary drinks because this intake can increase.