Diabetes

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes prevents the body from efficiently metabolizing sugar into the energy we need to function every day. There are two major types of diabetes, called Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 used to be called "juvenile diabetes," as it typically develops primarily in children, adolescents and young adults. Type 1 diabetes affects about two million Americans. Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called “adult onset” diabetes, makes up the vast majority of cases. The primary reason for the rise in Type 2 diabetes is the increase in adults and children who are overweight.

What Happens When Someone Has Diabetes?

When we eat, the body breaks the food down into a variety of nutrients including a sugar called glucose, which is the main source of energy for the body. Glucose is carried in the bloodstream to all cells where it is used for fuel to produce energy. Glucose cannot pass into cells without the help of a hormone called insulin. Insulin acts as the catalyst that opens a "doorway" in cells and allows glucose to enter. Diabetics suffer from either insufficient levels of insulin or insulin that does not work effectively.

 Type 1 diabetics  do not create any or, at least, not enough insulin to regulate sugar. This is why individuals with Type 1 diabetes can at times have extremely high levels of glucose in their blood.

 For many Type 2 diabetics, the disease begins in adulthood when their cells develop a resistance to insulin. Typically this resistance triggers the pancreas to produce more insulin to handle the rise in blood sugar, but over time, in some people, the pancreas tires out and the production of insulin slows or even stops all together.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

The primary symptoms for both types of diabetes are thirst and frequent urination. Other symptoms of diabetes include weight loss, blurred vision and fatigue. Sometimes these warning signs become apparent after a flu-like illness.

Complications of Diabetes

If left untreated, diabetes can increase the risk of developing a number of serious conditions, including kidney disease, heart attack and stroke, gangrene of limbs, blindness, and coma and can sometimes even cause death.

Treating and Managing Diabetes

The one thing all diabetics share is the need to manage their blood sugar levels. An imbalance of blood sugar one way or the other can lead to severe reactions—hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (too much blood sugar).

 Hypoglycemia symptoms include:

• hunger
• shakiness, nervousness or anxiety
• sweating
• dizziness or light-headedness
• sleepiness or confusion
• difficulty speaking
• weakness

Hyperglycemia symptoms include frequent urination and increased thirst, and can progress to loss of consciousness (diabetic coma). Hyperglycemia is indicated by high levels of sugar in the blood or urine upon testing.

 Here are some ways to manage blood sugar:

• Use Blood Meters to Measure Your Glucose Levels. The most popular meters prick the skin, drawing a small drop of blood. The blood is tested by a machine and in a matter of seconds it will read out of the blood sugar level.  According to the American Diabetes Association, the acceptable blood sugar range is between 90 and 130 before meals, and no higher than 180 two hours after eating.
• Manage Your Weight. For most Type 2 diabetics, the first step in controlling high blood sugar is to lose weight and exercise. Weight loss can lessen the amount of medication you need to take.
• Maintain a Healthy Diet and Consistent Meal Times. Balance your nutrients and portions, and try to eat at approximately the same times each day.
• Talk to Your Doctor about Medication. There are different types of diabetes medication that come in pill form. Most of these work by kick-starting your pancreas, causing it to produce more insulin. Some medications make your body more sensitive to the insulin that is already circulating in your bloodstream. Remember to talk with your doctor about possible side effects.
• Insulin Injections. When oral medications do not sufficiently control blood glucose, some people may need to inject insulin to control blood sugar. These injections are usually taken around mealtime to help metabolize the recently digested food. Injections take some getting used to, but most diabetics using insulin therapy adjust to the process and learn to control their blood glucose levels, which helps to prevent complications.

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Diabetes. Bethesda, MD.: National Institutes of Health, 2009. (Accessed 12/15/09 at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetes.html).

Diabetes Overview. Bethesda, MD.: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 2009. (Accessed 12/15/09 at http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/).

Diabetes and Me. Atlanta, GA.: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009. (Accessed 12/15/09 at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/index.htm).