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Diabetes Information

Diabetes can be a very serious disease. It affects about 246 million people worldwide, and can lead to dangerous consequences if left untreated. Diabetes is a condition which occurs because your body isn’t making enough of the hormone known as insulin. The pancreas is responsible for insulin production. Insulin helps your cells use glucose to make energy. If your cells aren’t using the extra sugar, it can stay in your blood. This leads to various side effects.

For people with diabetes, information is a key tool in controlling the condition. There are basically three forms of diabetes. People with type I diabetes cannot produce any insulin at all. This condition generally turns up in children and youth. Type I diabetics have to take insulin to control their blood glucose, and ensure cellular energy production.

Type II diabetes generally occurs in adults, although recently more children and youth are also being diagnosed with this condition. People with type II diabetes don’t produce enough insulin.

Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant mothers. Although it is temporary, it can signal an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. About 3 per cent of pregnancies will be affected. For Aboriginal mothers the risk can be as high as 18 per cent of pregnancies.

If you suspect you have diabetes, information will help you confirm and control the condition. Some signs of diabetes include unexplained weight gain or extreme fatigue. You may experience unusual thirst or urination. Perhaps you are finding that minor cuts or bruises are taking an unusually long time to heal. You may also fall victim to frequent or recurring infections. Blurred vision, tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, and sexual problems are also common. Some people with type II diabetes don’t have any symptoms.

However, some people will have an increased tendency to develop diabetes. People who are over 40 years old should be tested every 3 years. If you are African, Hispanic, Asian or Aboriginal, you may want to be tested earlier. Overweight people have a greater risk of diabetes. If you carry your fat around the middle of your body, you also have a higher chance of developing the disease. People may be more apt to develop diabetes if they have a close family member with diabetes. If your mother, or brother, has it, you could also have it. If you gave birth to a baby over 9 pounds, this is a risk factor. People with dark skin patches, impaired glucose tolerance, or schizophrenia are also more prone to the condition.

You can get diabetes information from your doctor, your nutritionist, and diabetes organizations. It is important to get a diagnosis and control the disease. If diabetes is left untreated it can lead to many complications such as sexual problems, nerve damage, eye disease, kidney disease and heart conditions.

Diabetes information will help you learn how to manage your diabetes. Sometimes controlling your weight and diet will be enough. Exercise is another important way to maintain proper insulin levels. Other people may need to take insulin to ensure their bodies are using the glucose they ingest.

There is no diabetes cure. But you can live a long and productive life if you keep it under control. Getting the diabetes information you need to maintain your health is the first step. You need to commit to frequent blood glucose tests, lifestyle changes, and perhaps an insulin regimen. This will ensure you are keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.

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