Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is essential for your health as it is a key source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues, and it is also the brain’s main energy source.

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, allows glucose to enter the body’s cells for use. The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 Diabetes, which begins with insulin resistance. This occurs when the cells in your muscles, fat, and liver do not respond properly to insulin, causing the pancreas to produce more insulin. When the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin, blood glucose levels rise.

The main causes of diabetes are obesity and being overweight. Excessive eating and a sedentary lifestyle increase your risk of developing diabetes.

High blood pressure is a condition where the force of blood against your artery walls is high enough to eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. A blood pressure reading above 140/90 mmHg is generally considered hypertension. 

What causes hypertension?

• • Smoking
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Excessive salt intake in the diet
  • Excessive alcohol consumption 
  • Stress
  • Older age
  • Genetics
  • Family history of high blood pressure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Adrenal and thyroid disorders
  • Sleep Apnea

Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease. 

There are two types of cholesterol in your body:

• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is known as “bad” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol particles throughout your body. LDL cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow.
• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is known as “good” cholesterol. It helps remove excess cholesterol and carries it back to your liver.

High cholesterol is mainly caused by eating fatty foods, lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking, and alcohol consumption. It can also be due to a family history of the condition. In Islam, moderation is emphasized. At Hospital Islam Az-Zahrah, we provide treatment for cardiovascular diseases as well as healthy lifestyle advice. Let us take care of our health and always maintain an active lifestyle.