Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious, chronic metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin. This condition affects an estimated 20.8 million people in the US – nearly 7 percent of the population. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the US and is a growing disease. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three people born in 2000 will be affected by diabetes. Although diabetes can lead to serious complications, it can often be successfully managed through dedicated, lifelong treatment.

When we eat, our body breaks down most of our food into glucose, a sugar in our blood that is the main source of energy. The glucose from food travels into the bloodstream with the help of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Our body usually produces enough insulin to move the glucose into the bloodstream, but this process does not work properly in people with diabetes. The pancreas either produces little to no insulin, or the insulin is not utilized properly. This causes a buildup of glucose that then passes out through the urine and does not fuel the body.

There are several different types of diabetes, some of which include:

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks itself. In this case, the body attacks the insulin-producing cells and requires people to take daily insulin injections in order to live.
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is affected by age, obesity and family history. Although the pancreas usually produces enough insulin, the body cannot use it effectively and production slowly decreases.
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are high but not high enough to diagnose diabetes. Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but you can prevent or delay the diagnosis by losing weight.
Gestational Diabetes occurs in women during late stages of pregnancy and involves a shortage of insulin. Most cases disappear at the end of the pregnancy, but this puts women at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later on.

Diabetes is diagnosed by testing the blood glucose levels. These tests may be performed after fasting, after drinking a beverage high in glucose or randomly. If the blood glucose level is above a certain amount, depending on the conditions of the test, a diabetes diagnosis can be confirmed.

People with diabetes can manage the condition through life changes, daily insulin injections and glucose level monitoring. Eating healthy and engaging in regular physical activity helps to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

People with type 1 diabetes need to take adequate insulin levels each day to balance what they eat, and must keep checking their glucose levels as well. Those with type 2 diabetes need to perform frequent blood glucose tests, and may also need insulin or oral medication.

It is important for people with diabetes to take an active role in the management of their condition. Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential in preventing episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Many diabetes patients work with a team of specialists to take full control of their condition.

If not treated properly, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. It can also cause permanent eye, foot, skin, and bone damage. A lifelong commitment is needed in order to prevent these complications. With practice and dedication, your daily treatment can quickly become just another part of your everyday routine.