Chronic Conditions
Diabetes 
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a long-lasting health problem where there's too much sugar in the blood. This happens when the body doesn't make enough insulin or when the cells don't use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It helps control blood sugar levels and lets cells use sugar for energy.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's defence system harms the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This means the body can't produce insulin, causing high levels of sugar in the blood.
- Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't respond well to insulin or doesn't make enough of it to keep blood sugar levels normal. This type is often linked to lifestyle choices like being overweight, eating poorly, and not being active enough.
What are the signs of diabetes?
Common signs and symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
How do you diagnose diabetes?
Diabetes can be diagnosed using various tests, including:
- Fasting blood sugar test: This test measures blood sugar levels after fasting. A reading at or above 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) indicates diabetes.
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): The OGTT involves fasting overnight, followed by consuming a sugary solution. Blood sugar levels are then monitored over several hours. A reading of 200 mg/dL or higher two hours after consuming the solution suggests diabetes.
Treatment of diabetes
Managing diabetes usually requires lifestyle adjustments, medication, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy is essential to replace the insulin that the body cannot produce. In type 2 diabetes, treatment may involve oral medications, insulin therapy, or other injectable medications aimed at lowering blood sugar levels.
Apart from traditional treatments, alternative methods like ozone therapy might help in handling diabetes. Ozone therapy includes giving the body ozone, a very reactive type of oxygen, to boost the immune system and enhance blood flow. Some research indicates that ozone therapy could enhance insulin sensitivity and lessen inflammation, which might be helpful for people with diabetes.
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