Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, also commonly called diabetes, is a group of diseases that affect the human body's blood sugar levels and use. Glucose is an important source of energy in our body which the cells of our muscles and tissues need to produce energy. It is also the brain's main source of fuel. Diabetes leads to excess blood sugar levels, which lead to serious health issues.

Types of Diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes- This makes up for almost 90-95% of all diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin.
• Type 1 diabetes- It is caused by auto-immune destruction. In other words, the body attacks and destroys the pancreas's insulin-producing cells.
• Gestational diabetes- Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Pregnant women are screened for this by their OB/GYN's between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. It may reverse post-delivery.

Apart from gestational diabetes, potentially reversible diabetes also includes prediabetes.

Prediabetes occurs when the sugar level in the blood is higher than normal but are not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Prediabetes is kind of a precursor or a warning sign of potential diabetes. Taking appropriate measures at the right time might prevent it to progress.