Diabetes mellitus commonly called diabetes is a health condition which occurs when the blood sugar (glucose) level in the body rises and the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin to balance the sugar level or the body does not use the insulin produced to balance the sugar level in the body. Without this proper balancing diabetes and a number of related complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness, high blood pressure, kidney failure, to name a few, may occur.
According to the World Health Organization at least 171 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes in 2000 and this number is expected to almost double by 2030. The continents anticipated to be greatly affected are Asia and Africa. Diabetes is also one of the leading causes of death in the US, with an estimated 24 million people living with this condition in 2008. Frightening, do you think?
Type 1 Diabetes referred to as insulin-dependent, occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin because there is damage done to the pancreas and insulin has to be injected into the body. The insulin regulates the glucose absorbed by the cells. If there is none or not enough insulin, the glucose will not be properly regulated. It will remain in the blood and does not get to the cells to provide the body with energy; the feeling of lethargy will occur. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent thirst, urination and slow healing of wounds.
Type 2 Diabetes referred to as non-insulin dependent, occurs when the body produces insulin but is unable to appropriately use the insulin in the body. The large consumption of starch, sugar, fat; not exercising; obesity, causes type 2 diabetes. The insulin produced by the body does not balance the glucose level in the cells to provide the body with energy. Complications from this type of diabetes may cause heart attacks, stroke and damage to other organs of the body.
Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnant women who never had diabetes prior to pregnancy experience a rise in their blood sugar level (hyperglycemia) during pregnancy. The hormones produced by the placenta blocks the absorption of insulin to regulate the high blood sugar level in the body. Not being able to balance the high blood sugar level in the body, diabetes occurs. Babies born in this condition usually have a higher birth weight and both mother and baby are now predisposed to having diabetes later in life.
Preventing Diabetes
Some of the risk factors for diabetes are obesity, inactivity, family history and age. Therefore practicing a healthy lifestyle can prevent type 2 diabetes and related illnesses.
- Consume foods low in fat, starch and sugar; eat more wholesome foods; fruits, vegetables, fiber
- Do not overeat
- Exercise; excess glucose will be used up
- Maintain a healthy weight; obesity is a major risk factor
- Use alcoholic beverages moderately
- Get medical check-ups; monitor blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- Do not overeat
- Exercise; excess glucose will be used up
- Maintain a healthy weight; obesity is a major risk factor
- Use alcoholic beverages moderately
- Get medical check-ups; monitor blood sugar and cholesterol levels
Cure
Diabetes cannot be cured, but with early diagnosis, a change in lifestyle, proper nutritional care and treatment; dietary and medication management, type 2 diabetes can be reversed. A productive life with almost no obvious signs and symptoms of diabetes can result. However, this is not permanent and reversal will happen if proper conditions are not adhered to.
The growing health concern of diabetes is proving to be costly worldwide. It cost $174 billion to manage diagnosed diabetes in the US alone in 2007.
The following are ways to effectively cope with diabetes:
- Visit your doctor regularly for checkups
- Follow doctor's advice carefully; especially dietary advice
- Manage medication properly; insulin and oral medication
- Exercise; this helps to lower blood sugar level
- Do not smoke; quit if you do. This causes high risk for diabetes-related complications.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Avoid getting cuts and bruises, these will heal slowly and in extreme cases do not heal
- Take care of feet; wash and dry carefully; wear comfortable footwear
- Follow doctor's advice carefully; especially dietary advice
- Manage medication properly; insulin and oral medication
- Exercise; this helps to lower blood sugar level
- Do not smoke; quit if you do. This causes high risk for diabetes-related complications.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Avoid getting cuts and bruises, these will heal slowly and in extreme cases do not heal
- Take care of feet; wash and dry carefully; wear comfortable footwear
It is better to prevent than to cure. Diabetes awareness, prevention and control, is a good way to start. You may go to the American Diabetic Association and the World Health Organization websites, http://www.diabetes.org and http://www.who.int/en/ for more information.
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