With diabetes such an epidemic today, it is essential that you know
exactly what it is. Why? Well, to prevent getting diabetes yourself
that is!
In layman terms, “diabetes” is the inability of the body to process
sugars properly. When we eat or drink, our “pancreas” produces a
hormone called “insulin”. Insulin is released into the blood and helps
to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes
is a condition where this process does not function correctly.
The reason why diabetes occurs is because no insulin is being produced
(often called Type 1 Diabetes) and requires the sufferer to use insulin
injections, or insulin is produced but the body becomes resistant to
it. This renders the insulin ineffective. This is normally called Type
2 Diabetes and is rapidly becoming more common.
The danger is that while diabetes is not immediately life threatening
the long term effects of high blood sugar can be damaging to one's
health. Uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged high blood sugar levels
can, in later life, cause problems to many organs including the
kidneys, eyes, nerves and the heart.
This may sound grim, however controlling blood sugar by a combination
of medicine, diet and exercise will vastly reduce the long term
complications. Recent research shows that 2 in every 100 people have
diabetes. Alarmingly half of these people do not even know they have
it. Many people have diabetes without being aware of it because someone
with diabetes looks no different from anyone else.
How do you find out if you have diabetes? The simplest way to check if
you have diabetes is to arrange a blood sugar check with your doctor. A
tiny sample of blood, obtained by pricking a finger is checked using a
small electronic tester.
A normal blood sugar level is generally between 72 - 126 mg/dl or 4 - 7
mmol/l (where 1 mmol/l = 18mg/dl). If the body is unable to keep the
blood sugar level within these limits, then diabetes is diagnosed.
Diagnosis of diabetes can occur out of the blue during a routine
check-up but more often it follows from the sufferer experiencing the
"symptoms" of diabetes. These symptoms can be many or few, mild or
severe depending on the individual.
Common Diabetes Symptoms:
Loss Of Weight - Glucose is the form of sugar which is the body's main
fuel. Diabetics cannot process this properly so it passes into the
urine and out of the body. Less fuel means the body's reserve tissues
are broken down to produce energy with a resultant loss in weight.
Thirst - Often it seems no matter how much you drink your mouth still
feels dry. The problem is compounded before diabetes is diagnosed by
sufferers drinking huge amounts of sugary drinks! Of course this only
increases the blood sugar level and leads to increased thirst.
Urinating More Often - Sufferers need to urinate often and pass large
volumes each time. In addition this symptom takes no account of time so
sleep is constantly disturbed by having to visit the bathroom during
the night. It is a mistake to think this is caused by the increased
thirst and drinking more. On the other hand, high sugar levels in the
blood spill over into the urine making it syrupy. To counter-act this
water is drawn from the body causing dehydration and therefore thirst.
If you have experienced any of these symptoms it does not necessarily
follow that you are diabetic however it might be advisable to visit
your doctor to be sure. If it does turn out that you have diabetes
please do not panic! It can come as a shock and it will mean some
changes in your life. While it is incurable it can be treated so the
long term complications are reduced or even eliminated.
By knowing exactly what diabetes is – and recognizing the symptoms
early on – you can prevent it from ever building up within you. Start
today by monitoring your health and daily eating habits. Or as they
say, preventing is better than finding a cure later on!
