Previous data indicated that diabetes tends to emerge in older adults.

However, diabetes is becoming more common in younger and younger people these days. There is no denying that diet plays a role in the cause. Modern cuisines are produced in various intriguing ways and rather tasty, especially sweet beverages like Thai tea, green tea, or bubble tea, as well as other foods, particularly those designed to provide energy to a weary body. Even though eating makes us happy, we must never forget to take care of our health, exercise, and maintain a balanced diet before it’s too late.

What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels and sugar in the urine due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin adequately. Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to be higher than usual because the body is unable to regulate them. Typically, the kidney can absorb all the sugar taken. However, for people with diabetes, their kidneys cannot absorb all of the sugar. Hence, it travels through the kidney’s filtering unit and into the urine, increasing the likelihood that sugar will be discovered in the urine.

The liver is also involved because it stores fat and sugar as glycogen. The liver converts glycogen to glucose so it can be used as energy after meals or at night. In order to provide the body enough energy, the liver can also create glucose from amino acids and lipids.

What if we don’t eat anything at all to avoid getting fat and developing diabetes? Is that all right? If we don’t eat or starve, our liver will produce ketones from fat to use as energy instead. When the body produces too many ketones, the blood becomes acidic, which can harm the body, particularly those with certain chronic conditions.

In summary, how many types of diabetes are there?

Formerly, we were taught that there were two varieties of diabetes. However, according to the Diabetes Association of Thailand, there are now four types of diabetes that affect people of all ages.

1. Type 1 diabetes is defined by severe insulin deficiency. In this case, the immune system destroys beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, there are no or insufficient beta cells to create insulin. This kind of diabetes is prevalent among children.
2. Type 2 diabetes is defined by a combination of peripheral insulin resistance and insufficient insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. It affects up to 95% of people with diabetes. This kind of diabetes is more common in adults over the age of 30. However, recent discovery shows that it’s starting to occur more in people with lower age, such as those aged 20 to 30. Such a result is associated with dietary changes in which people eat more starchy and/or sugary foods and have less physical activity.
3. Type 3 diabetes occurs in pregnant women. It arises during pregnancy, usually in the second to third trimester, and goes away after birth. However, there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes even after giving birth in some circumstances.
4. Type 4 diabetes are those occur from a specific cause, which could be many, for example:
   1. Pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer affects insulin levels since the pancreas generates beta cells, which are utilized to make insulin.
   1. Endocrine gland problems because the gland produces hormones related to energy metabolism, blood pressure and heartbeat regulations. Hence, it could result in abnormal Growth Hormone or abnormal Cortisol, and ultimately, diabetes.
   1. Infection caused by particular viruses, such as rubella, because the virus disguises itself as insulin receptors, replacing cells or interfering with cell signal transmission in the body.

Taking care of your health is an important matter that should not be overlooked. “Diabetes isn’t something to take lightly of.” Hence, we should begin to maintain a good diet, exercise, and pay more attention to our health. Diabetes can affect other organs in the body, particularly those with small blood vessels to nourish them, such as the eyes, heart, and nervous system, and increase the risks of developing complication diseases. So, it is essential to prevent diabetes as to the other illnesses that may follow.

Next time, let’s talk about Diabetes isn’t something to take lightly of. Part 2.