Diabetes:

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a disease that affects the way your body uses blood sugar (blood glucose), which is the body's primary source of energy. The breakdown of the food you eat converts it into glucose; in this process, the pancreas plays a significant role. This helps move glucose from the bloodstream into your cells, where it is burned for energy. If you have diabetes, your pancreas produces little or no insulin, or insulin does not produce effective results, in which case, too much glucose remains in your blood.

Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes:

• Type 1: An autoimmune disease, in which your immune system attacks your pancreas, destroying cells; as a result, little to no insulin is produced. Without insulin to help move glucose into your cells, it stays in your bloodstream. Resulting in daily insulin shots being needed. Often develops in your development stages - from toddlers to teens.
• Type 2: The most common form of the disease. Your pancreas sometimes produces insulin, but cells become resistant to it, thus large amounts of glucose stay in the bloodstream. Being obese or overweight makes it harder for the body to use insulin.

Prediabetes:

Prediabetes states that your blood glucose level is higher than usual, but not abnormal enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Lingering damage associated with diabetes in the heart and blood vessels can be a warning sign of distress. Making healthier changes to your lifestyle and diet will contribute to prevention.

Warning Signs:

• Excessive Thirst
• Frequent urination
• Constant hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weight gain
• Flu-like symptoms, including weakness and fatigue
• Blurred Vision
• Slow healing cuts or sores
• Tingling or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
• Recurring infections of gums and skin
• Recurring Vaginal or Bladder Infections

Home Remedies:

• Exercise:
  Regular daily physical exercise and activity are essential for lowering blood glucose levels and enhancing the body's ability to utilize insulin or other diabetes medications. Exercise can even reduce the amount of drugs you need to take by becoming more physically active in many small but efficient ways, such as walking up stairs instead of using the elevator. Before starting any physical fitness program, consult with your doctor to ensure it is suitable for you.
  
  
• Sedentary lifestyles:
  Sedentary lifestyles are a significant contributing factor to diabetes; these are lifestyles that require long hours at a desk or a designated station area. Areas of improvement that can help include using standing desks, engaging in regular standing exercises, and practicing regular stretches. Regular trips to collect water, as well as small actions, will also help.

Solutions:

• Eating Healthier Foods:
  Stick to a routine, consume three meals a day, and stay conscious of the amount of food you eat and the timing of meals. Feeling hungry after dinner, try to have a small snack low in calories or carbohydrates before going to bed, such as raw vegetables.
  
  Focus on consuming a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grain foods, which will help maintain stable blood glucose levels. These foods are low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals.
  
  Halt consumption of foods that are abundant in saturated fats and trans fats. Lean cuts of meat, along with low-fat, free dairy products, also contribute to maintaining good health.
  Proteins low in saturated fat are easier to metabolize. For example, consuming too much protein can cause the human body to store extra calories as fat. Fish and poultry are often better considered than red meat.
  Fewer sweets, chips, candy, and chocolate bars are generally high in fat and calories. (Count as carbohydrates)

Dr. Notes:

“Being overweight is by far the most significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, losing even a few pounds can improve your blood glucose level.”