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Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism that occurs when the body doesn't make enough of a hormone called insulin, or if the body does not use insulin the right way. Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.

What are the types of diabetes?

The three main types of diabetes are:
1: Type 1 diabetes
2: Type 2 diabetes
3: Gestational diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body`s system for fighting infection (the immune system) turns against a part of the body. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.

Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes.The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. Their onset is not as sudden as in type 1 diabetes. Symptoms may include fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds or sores. Some people have no symptoms.

Gestational Diabetes
Some women develop gestational diabetes late in pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually disappears after the birth of the baby, women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin.

Symptoms of Diabetes:
a) Frequent urination
b) Excessive thirst
c) Extreme hunger
d) Unusual weight loss
e) Increased fatigue
f) Irritability
g) Frequent or recurring skin, gum, bladder or vaginal yeast infections
h) Unusual tiredness or drowsiness
i) Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
j) Blurry vision
k)High blood pressure

Causes of Diabetes:
a:  High blood triglyceride (fat) levels
b:  Gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
c:  High-fat diet
d:  High alcohol intake
e:  Sedentary lifestyle
f:  Obesity or being overweight
g:  Aging: Increasing age is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Risk begins to rise significantly at about age 45 years, and rises considerably after age 65 years

Treatment:
1:   Insulin must be given as an injection. If taken by mouth, insulin would be destroyed in the stomach before it could get into the blood where it is needed.
2:   Eating a consistent, healthy diet appropriate for your size and weight is essential in controlling your blood sugar level.
3:   Drink an adequate amount of water and avoid taking too much salt.
4:   Diabetics should choose whole fruits more often then juices it is because they have more fibers.
5:   Blood test is must. Frequent testing of blood sugar can denote you how much you have improved on your part to manage suitable measure of sugar in blood.

Self-care at home:
Exercise: Regular exercise, in any form, can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Activity can also reduce the risk of developing complications of diabetes such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and leg ulcers.