What are the best ways to know if you're diabetic?
Being diagnosed with diabetes simply means that your blood sugar or glucose level is too high. Glucose is found in your food and is used to make energy for your body. A recent study found obesity rising due to the glucose rich junk food and sugary soda epidemic, boosting diagnoses of diabetes to unprecidented levels.
Glucose is stored by the muscles and kidney as well so that they body has glucose to use when it is not getting enough but too much is bad for you.
An organ known as the pancreas makes insulin. Insulin helps glucose moves from your blood to your cells.
Cell then take the glucose and turn it into energy. To have diabetes means that your pancreas is not creating insulin as it should.
Too much glucose in the body can damage vital organs such as the heart, eyes, and kidneys. The bottoms of the feet are a common place to see early diabetes manifestations, often leading to amputation.
There are two main types of diabetes.
First is type 1 diabetes in which the pancreas cells that make insulin are very damaged. If you have type 1 diabetes, you need to get insulin from shots or a pump every day. Many people learn to manage their insulin intake depending to their physical activity and diet. This makes managing your diabetes easier when you have a tight schedule.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas still makes some insulin but cells cannot use it very well. People with type 2 diabetes, may very well need to take insulin or pills to help your own body use the insulin it can make work properly.
Type 2 used to be considered a mostly adult disorder but now more teens are getting type 2 as well, especially if they are overweight.
What other things can cause Diabetes?
Many factors can cause a person to get type 1 and type 2 diabetes such as improper diet and unhealthy food choices, and lack of physical activity.
In many cases family history has a part to play in whether a person is at a higher risk of getting diabetes. Taking care of diabetes can lower your risk for other health problems such as high blood pressure. It helps to know what affects you blood glucose levels. From the food you eat to stress at work all these factors can all raise glucose levels.
Even being ill can throw the body's insulin making abilities of track. Carbohydrates are good source of energy for our bodies but too much at one time can also get your blood sugar really high. It is important to get to know your body and get checked up to see if you are at risk.
Type one and type two diabetes are two separate conditions and knowing what each type is important.
There are many news reports about diabetes these days and more people than ever are discovering that they are affected by diabetes. Children are now getting this insidious disease in large numbers.
Most people are being affected by type two diabetes. This condition is affected by weight, age and heredity.
Because so many people are becoming overweight, doctors are checking for this disease more than ever. This disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
Type one diabetes is also called juvenile diabetes because it often shows up in children, adults are also susceptible, but to a lesser degree. No one knows how this disease begins, however some experts believe it is caused by a virus or a auto immune disease. This is the type of diabetes that requires the lifelong use of insulin.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
When people develop diabetes type one may feel very ill and have several symptoms. They will become thirsty, tired and have extreme hunger, and may lose weight. Because they are consuming a lot of water they will have frequent urination. They may also have blurred vision. This condition comes on quickly and you should see a doctor if you are not feeling well.
While there are many signs to tell if you may have diabetes, there are a few key symptoms that may lead you to see your doctor if you think you have diabetes.
- Frequent urination
- Unusual tiredness or drowsiness
- Frequent or recurring skin, gum, bladder or vaginal yeast infections
- Extreme thirst
Type two diabetes does not always have symptoms and many people have this condition without knowing it. This is why everyone should ask their doctor if they need their blood glucose levels checked. Overweight children should also know their blood sugar levels because they too may be suffering from diabetes.
Type two diabetes is a problem in how we use sugar. When our bodies can not process glucose properly we are diagnosed with the disease. Glucose can not get into our cells and spills into our bloodstream. Because we are not getting the fuel for energy we need, we can feel tired and unwell. As the disease progresses our organs are effected and we may see changes in the way our wounds heal and our vision may be effected.
The only way to know for sure if you have diabetes is to have your blood sugar levels tested. If you have higher than normal levels, you will be prescribed medications to help control your levels. Everyone should know what their blood sugar levels are, especially if they are overweight or ageing.
