Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Articles » Info on Diabetes

Info on Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic life long illness where your body does not produce enough insulin or does not react to the insulin properly, thus causing a high glucose level in the blood stream. Insulin is produced in the pancreas and released in the blood stream to lower the glucose level in the blood. When this act fails, either because not enough insulin is produced, or the body is not reacting properly to the insulin, high levels of sugar remain in the blood. This is called diabetes. High contents of sugar in the blood stream lead to various and dangerous conditions, attacking many organs of the body. Diabetes type 2 is the 3rd largest killer in the United States. Most deaths occur from complications due to diabetes. Kidney, liver failure, and heart disease have all been associated with diabetes.

There are 3 major types of diabetes, but also several other diabetic conditions, such as pre diabetes, and insulin resistance… Type 1 diabetes is where the body does not produce any insulin; therefore insulin injections are necessary for every one who has the disease. Approximately 5-10 percent of Americans have type 1 diabetes. The second form of diabetes is known as type 2 diabetes. This is where the body cells fail to use the insulin properly causing the pancreas to produce and release more insulin. Most people diagnosed with diabetes are type2 sufferers. These people usually spend years with pre diabetic symptoms before they diagnosed with diabetes type 2. It’s estimated that there are 57 million Americans with pre diabetes. That’s why it’s commonly called “America’s largest health care epidemic”. Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Woman who never had high sugar levels in their blood till they got pregnant are said to have Gestational diabetes. This occurs in about 4 percent of the cases. It may precede diabetes type 2, and in rare cases diabetes type1… there are several other rare forms of diabetes that make up less then 1 percent of the diabetic cases in the United States.

There is no cure for diabetes but it is treatable, and has been since 1921. that’s the year where insulin became medically available, Gestational diabetes usually repairs itself after the delivery, that’s the only good news. Diabetes is a life long illness that a person has to learn to manage, until there is a cure. The worst thing about the disease is the way it attacks so many organs and has so many long terms serious complications such as heart disease, blindness, erectile dysfunction skin conditions poor circulation, foot problems and nerve damage. Death occurs in many if left untreated either directly or from complications from the disease.

The best way to treat diabetes is to get on a diabetic diet. Lots of high fiber foods, low carbohydrates, avoid cakes, cookies chocolate, or any sugar products, such as soda, or candy. Lean beef and poultry are the best meats to eat. Green leafy vegetables are a great source of fiber. Fresh seafood is another good food item, as well as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Exercising on a regular basis is also essential for treating diabetes. Keeping you body physically fit helps ward of diabetes affecting other parts of yours body. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Both of these habits are negative factors and will worsen the health of a diabetic person.

Related Articles

• Insulin and Diabetes
• Cause, Symptom, and Effect of Diabetes Mellitus
• Diabetes food pyramid differs from USDA food pyramid
• National Diabetic Supply
• The Relationship Between Kidney Disease and Diabetes
• Sugar Diabetes
• Diet For Diabetes