Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to properly use and store glucose (a form of sugar).
Glucose backs up in the bloodstream - causing one’s blood glucose (blood sugar) to rise too high. There are two major types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent): the body completely stops producing any insulin, a hormone that enables the body
to use glucose found in foods for energy.
People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to survive. This form of diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but can occur at any age.

• Being very thirsty
• Frequent urination
• Weight loss
• Increased hunger
• Blurry vision
• Irritability
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Frequent skin, bladder or gum infections
• Wounds that don't heal
• Extreme unexplained fatigue

• People with a Family History of Diabetes (siblings or parents)
• Overweight people
• Persons with high cholesterol
• Persons with high blood pressure
• Physical inactive people
• Persons who had a stroke or heart attack
• Women with a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) are more likely to develop full-blown diabetes later in life
• Women who had a new-born weighing more than 4kg at birth
• Women with a history of Polycystic Ovarian Disease

• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Blindness
• Kidney failure
• Blood vessel disease that may require an amputation (circulation problems) / gangrene
• Nerve damage – neurogenic bladder, etc.
• Impotence in men

• Eating healthy and having a balanced diet is important in managing your diabetes.
• Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietician to help you with a dietary plan.
  They will help you with managing a well-balanced meal, portion sizes, to coordinate meals with medications and to avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.[1]
• Educate yourself on diabetes, the type of diabetes you have, warning signs, etc.
• Regular exercise: for about 30 minutes and for at least five times a week. The exercise should make you sweat and breathe harder and always hydrate. [2]
• Avoid alcohol: alcohol lowers your blood sugar levels because as it is getting metabolized by the liver, the liver is unable to regulate the blood sugar levels properly. [1]
• Ask the doctor about methods to manage stress as stress can lead to high blood sugar levels. [1]
• Stop smoking as it can increase the risk of nerve and blood vessel damage which can put you at risk of cardiovascular disease. [1]
• Go for regular check-ups and take your medications as directed by your doctor. [2]
• If you take insulin, make sure you store it as directed by the doctor. [2]
• Wear closed shoes when outside, keep your feet clean and dry and always look out for sores or cuts and attend to them immediately