More than 12% of the population is affected by diabetes. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and used to transfer glucose from the blood stream to the cells in the body. Glucose is the energy source for all cells in the body. Diabetes is the inability of the body to produce sufficient insulin or to effectively use the insulin resulting in high blood sugar (glucose). There are three types of the disease, Type 1, Type 2, and gestational.
Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, also called juvenile diabetes, is the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin because the cells that do so have been destroyed. The onset of the disease is in childhood, hence the name juvenile diabetes. Insulin by injection has to be taken for the rest of the patient's life. A strict diet must be followed low in sugar and starches. The blood sugar has to be monitored several times a day.
Type 2, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, occurs in adulthood. The pancreas either doesn't produce sufficient insulin or the body doesn't have the ability to use the insulin to get the glucose from the blood stream to the body's cells.
Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women, usually between 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. The woman produces sufficient insulin but its usage is blocked by hormones. After the pregnancy is over the body returns back to normal. A simple blood sugar test can determine whether there is a possibility of gestational diabetes. If there is then further testing is required. Even though only about 4% of pregnant women get gestational diabetes it should be diagnosed and treated during pregnancy. If not treated both the mother and the fetus can be harmed.
Most women who experience gestational diabetes get Type 2 diabetes later in life. Treatment consists of strict diet and monitoring. In some cases insulin injections are prescribed.
Children who have Type 1 diabetes may not exhibit any symptoms. If there are symptoms they would include, excessive thirst, excessive urination, weight loss, nausea, excessive hunger, lethargy, prone to infections, and mood swings.
Type 1 can be fatal if ketoacidosis occurs. The sugar levels in the blood get extremely high and the patient can collapse and go into a coma.
Most of the diabetes Type 2 patients don't have symptoms either. When there are symptoms they would include those listed above and erectile dysfunction. A blood sugar test confirms the presence of diabetes. The disease is managed through weight loss, diet, exercise and medication. Monitoring blood sugar levels is necessary to adjust the diet and medications as needed.
If untreated Type 2 can lead to heart conditions, blockage to the arteries in the legs causing pain, deteriorating eye health, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease and peripheral nerve disease.
This is not medical advice. Please see your health care provider if you suspect a medical condition.
Author Resource:-
Free report on Swine Flu Treatment Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books. She writes about food, gardening and Tips to lose weight fast
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