Diabetes is a chronic disease which occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body fails to effectively use insulin.
Over time, it leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
There are two types of diabetes; diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high.
Most common signs are urination and increased thirst, and people may lose weight even if they are not trying to.
Diabetes insipidus occurs when the body can't regulate how it handles fluids. The condition is caused by a hormonal abnormality.
Common symptoms include extreme thirst and heavy urination.
Both are chronic diseases that affect the way our bodies regulate sugar and can lead to serious health complications.
Diabetes is mostly caused by lifestyle factors and genes. No treatment exists to cure the disease but diabetes can be managed.
Doctor David Ochieng said patients should reach and maintain healthy body weight. He says losing extra weight helps to reduce the insulin produced or the insulin produced works well in the body.
"People should stay physically active with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day. Always involve yourself in physical activities such walking, running, dancing and bicycle riding," Ochieng said.
He added that eating a healthy diet and avoiding sugar and saturated fat also helps in preventing high risk of develop diabetes.
"Avoid smoking because it has nicotine which increases your blood sugar levels that make it harder to handle," he said.
Ochieng said people with diabetes who smoke often need larger doses of insulin to keep their blood sugar close to their optimum levels.
It is also advisable to check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots and swellings for wounds that fester but take long to heal.
Most commonly signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, feeling tired and lose of weight.
According to World Health Organization's global report on diabetes, excess body fat, as a summary measure of multiple aspects of physical activity and diet, is the most significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
According to a Stepwise survey conducted in 2015, more than 88 per cent of Kenyans have never had their blood sugar tested, indicating a concerning lack of awareness or access to care.
Given that diabetes is responsible for almost 416,000 deaths in Africa, Kenya leads East Africa in the number of diabetes-related fatalities.
