ChamberDiabetes · ডায়াবেটিস
Diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood sugar (glucose) stays too high because the body cannot make enough insulin or cannot use it properly. With the right care — diet, activity, monitoring and medicine — most people live full, healthy lives and avoid complications.
What is diabetes?
Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose move from the blood into the body's cells for energy. In diabetes this process fails. Type 1 diabetes happens when the body makes little or no insulin; type 2 diabetes, the most common, happens when the body becomes resistant to insulin. Gestational diabetes appears during pregnancy.
Symptoms
High blood sugar can cause symptoms that develop slowly in type 2 diabetes:
- Feeling very thirsty and passing urine more often, especially at night
- Tiredness and unexplained weight loss
- Blurred vision and slow-healing cuts or wounds
- Frequent infections, such as of the skin or urinary tract
Causes and risk factors
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and is not caused by lifestyle. Type 2 is linked to being overweight, physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, increasing age and family history. People of South Asian background, including Bangladeshis, have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes at a younger age and lower weight.
Diagnosis
Diabetes is diagnosed with blood tests such as fasting blood glucose, HbA1c (average sugar over about 3 months), an oral glucose tolerance test, or a random glucose test. A doctor confirms the diagnosis and checks for related problems like blood pressure and cholesterol.
Treatment and management
Management is built on a balanced diet, regular activity and weight control. Type 2 diabetes may also need tablets or insulin, while type 1 always needs insulin. Your doctor sets individual targets and monitoring; never start, stop or change diabetes medicines without medical advice.
Prevention and complications
Type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and staying active. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and feet over time, so regular check-ups and good sugar control are essential to prevent complications.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, tiredness or unexplained weight loss, or if you have risk factors and want a check. Seek urgent care for very high sugar, confusion, vomiting or breathing difficulty, which can be a diabetes emergency.
Doctors who treat Diabetes
Find and book verified specialists in Bangladesh for Diabetes:
Common medicines prescribed
Frequently asked questions
Can diabetes be cured?
There is no permanent cure, but type 2 diabetes can often be well controlled and sometimes pushed into remission with weight loss and lifestyle changes. Type 1 diabetes always needs insulin. Ongoing care prevents complications.
Does eating sugar cause diabetes?
Sugar alone does not directly cause diabetes, but a diet high in sugary, processed food contributes to weight gain, which raises the risk of type 2 diabetes. Overall diet, weight and activity matter most.
What blood sugar level means diabetes?
Diabetes is diagnosed using specific test thresholds (for example fasting glucose or HbA1c), but the exact numbers and what they mean for you should be confirmed and explained by your doctor.
Which doctor treats diabetes?
An endocrinologist or diabetes specialist manages diabetes, especially complex or type 1 cases. A general physician can also diagnose and manage routine type 2 diabetes and refer when needed.