It is a chronic condition where the sugar level in the blood is very high.

Causes

• Destruction of insulin making cells in the pancreas
• Insulin resistance
• Insufficient insulin
• Abnormal insulin
• Certain virus
• Heredity
• Increasing age
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Stress
• Certain medicines
• Pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Diseases that damage the pancreas and affect its ability to produce insulin e.g. pancreatitis.

Symptoms

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Blurred vision
• Extreme hunger or loss of appetite
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
• Itchy skin, yeast infections
• Painful limbs

Treatment

• Weight reduction
• Exercise
• Controlled diet
• Oral medication
• Insulin

Prevention

• Exercising regularly
• Reducing fat and calorie intake
• Losing extra weight