What is diabetes?
Blood sugar test
Is there a cure for diabetes
What is diabetes??
Diabetes is a condition that is caused when your body can't make or use its own insulin to control your blood sugar.
-Usually causes too much sugar to stay in your blood and not enough getting into the cells of your body where it becomes your body's main form of fuel for energy.
There are different types of diabetes. The 2 major types are:
Type 1 diabetes aka Juvenile Onset
-Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form. -This occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to handle the sugar. -Usually begins anywhere from ages 3-29.
Treatments for type 1 diabetes
Required to take insulin injections. -Referred to commonly as insulin dependant diabetics.
Type 1 diabetes only accounts for less than 10% of all diabetic patients.
Type 2 diabetes
-Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. -Usually develops after age 40.
Treatments for type 2 diabetes
Pills are given first, if un-successful, they are mixed with insulin or you would take just insulin. -
Orange juice, skim milk, peppermint candies,lifesavers, honey, jelly or icing are all good options to treating low blood sugar.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes
Most common in African American, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians. ( Both heredity and factors such as diet and lifestyle are believed to play a role) -Usually occurs because the cells throughout the body become insulin resistance ( when there isn't enough insulin in the blood or when the cells aren't getting the signal from the insulin) which makes it more difficult for sugar to enter the cells. The pancreas will still produce insulin but the body cannot use it efficiently.
Excessive amounts of sugars in the blood and the insufficient amount in the cells can cause a variety of serious medical complications. This include but are not limited to: -Kidney disease or failure -Nervous system problems -Heart disease and stroke -Eye problems/blindness -Oral and dental problems.
There is no known cure for diabetes.
With proper exercise and a nutrition plan developed by your doctor you can control your diabetes and live an otherwise healthy life.
