Quick Guide on Diabetes
The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing world
over. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are
above normal.
It is estimated that more than 2000 new cases of diabetes are
diagnosed everyday in the United States alone. While symptoms of
Type 1 diabetes are usually obvious, Type 2 often shows few or
no symptoms. After a meal, food is broken down into a sugar
called glucose, which is carried by the blood to cells through
out the body. Cells use the hormone insulin, made in the
pancreas, to process blood glucose into energy. Diabetics have
problems converting food to energy.
People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles,
liver and fat do not use insulin properly. Eventually, the
pancreas cannot make enough insulin to fulfill the body's needs.
As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while
the cells are starved of energy. Over the years high blood
glucose damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to
complication such as heart ailments, blindness, kidney disease,
nerve problems, gum infections and amputation.
Rapid increase in population, increased longevity and high
ethnic susceptibility to diabetes, coupled with rapid
urbanization and deviation from traditional lifestyle continue
to trigger diabetes cases. While a lot of work is underway to
prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, people at risk should be
screened regularly to prevent the ailment. And those who have
already been detected with diabetes should aim to keep their
sugar level under control.
Managing type 2 diabetes means making a few changes in how you
live. The basics:
* Eat right * Manage your weight * Be physically active * Don't
smoke * Keep you blood sugar under control. It can help reduce
the risk of diabetes related problems later. * Your healthcare
provider may prescribe diabetes medicines
Many people have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms may be so mild
that you don't even notice them. Here is what to look for
* Increased thirst * Increased hunger * Fatigue * Increased
urination especially at night * Weight loss * Blurred vision *
Sores that do not heal * Genital itching or regular episodes of
thrush
One in every six people with diabetes will have foot ulcer
during their lifetime, each year, four million people worldwide
get a foot ulcer. Cost of treating foot problems is enormous.
Majority of the patient's only report after they have infected
foot ulcers with systemic complication. It is important to
diagnose the problem at the earliest in order cure the foot
problem.