Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people across the globe. Diabetes is classified as a set of related diseases that occur when the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the bloodstream.

Glucose provides the blood with energy, produced by the liver from the foods the body takes in on a daily basis. For those with healthy systems, the blood glucose level is regulated by several hormones, one of which is insulin. This essential chemical allows glucose to move from the blood to the liver, muscle and fat tissue, providing energy for the body. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, which also secretes enzymes important for proper digestion. It is generally considered the body's fuel.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is the resulting condition when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin properly in the system. The glucose in the blood cannot move into cells and convert into energy, but rather builds up in the bloodstream. This buildup harms both the cells seeking fuel as well as the organs and tissues exposed to higher glucose levels. Diabetes can be divided up into two distinct types.

Type 1 Diabetes

In this type, the body stops producing insulin or produces so little insulin that the body cannot regulate its blood sugar level on its own. About 10% of total cases in the United States are Type 1 diabetes. This type is most commonly identified during childhood, often referred to as juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, although Type 1 can also occur in adults and older individuals as well. Most individuals with type 1 diabetes require daily insulin treatments to stay healthy.

Type 2 Diabetes

In this type, the pancreas secretes insulin as expected and at the proper levels, but the body cannot process the insulin completely. This occurrence, commonly referred to as “insulin resistance”, is marked as the body tries to overcome the rejection by producing more insulin. 90% of patients with diabetes suffer from type 2, which is normally recognized in adulthood, usually after age 45 and older. Termed adult-onset diabetes mellitus or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, type 2 diabetes is controlled with proper diet, weight loss, exercise, and oral medications.

Additional types of diabetes include gestational diabetes, occurring in pregnant women, as well as other types of diabetes resulting from genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Some signs include:

Frequent urination

Excessive thirst

Unexplained weight loss

Extreme hunger

Sudden vision changes

Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Feeling very tired much of the time

Very dry skin

Sores that are slow to heal

More infections than usual

Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may also be indicators for type 1 diabetes

Diabetes Treatment

Healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are routines that help improve the health of those suffering with type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with both the proper food intake, daily activity and/or exercise. Blood glucose levels must be monitored throughout the day.

Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing is the template for type 2 diabetes recovery. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. Visit a health care professional to get the best advice on how to treat individual cases of diabetes.

By Blaise Morita

Diabetes

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