Description

Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes; It is a chronic (chronic) disease that
develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, a hormone that
regulates blood sugar, or when the blood sugar level increases as a result of a
disorder in the use of insulin produced.

Food is broken down in our intestines to turn into
glucose (sugar), the body’s primary fuel. Later, this glucose passes from
the intestines into the blood and the blood sugar level begins to rise.

Glucose, which passes into the blood in healthy
individuals, is carried into the cells with the help of a hormone called
insulin, which regulates blood sugar in the body. If there is insulin
hormone deficiency or use disorder, because sugar cannot be transported into
the cell, glucose increases in the blood and blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
develops.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes)

Gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes)

Special cause diabetes

Diabetes Prevalence in the World and in Turkey

It is known that 1 out of every 7 people over the age of
20 in Turkey has diabetes. There are 382 million diabetic patients in the
world. This number is predicted to reach 592 million in 2035 due to
obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

Health Problems Caused by Diabetes

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) causes many serious
damage when diabetes is uncontrolled.

Over time, organs and systems such as the heart, blood
vessels, nervous system, kidney, eye, etc. are particularly affected.

The risk of heart disease and stroke increases. 50%
of patients die from heart disease and stroke.

With reduced blood flow, nerve damage in the feet, foot
ulcers, infection can result in amputation due to infection.

One percent of all blindness develops due to diabetes,
and it is among the most common causes of vision loss and blindness in
developed countries.

Diabetes is also among the leading causes of kidney failure.

Is Diabetes Treated?

YES ! The aim of diabetes treatment is to reduce
blood sugar to normal levels and to minimize the other known harmful effects of
the disease. The treatment is regulated by the clinicians and as long as
the patient complies with the treatment, it is possible to be protected from
the health problems caused by diabetes. In addition to the blood sugar
level, blood pressure control and cholesterol levels should be checked
regularly in an individual with diabetes.

Protection Approaches in People with Diabetes

Blood pressure control (should be below 140/90 mmHg)

Foot care

Screening and treatment of retinopathy that can cause blindness

Blood cholesterol level control

Screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease should be done regularly.

Lifestyle measures are effective in preventing diabetes or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Reaching normal body weight

Regular physical activity (150 minutes per week; at regular intervals)

It is important in terms of weight loss, lowering blood pressure and increasing insulin sensitivity.

Care should be taken to consume healthy foods, especially vegetables and fruits, in the form of 3-5 meals a day. Smoking should be
avoided.