Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to properly use the sugar called glucose to fuel our bodies for energy and growth the body needs. Virtually all of the food we consume is broken down into glucose sugar that enters into the bloodstream. The pancreas produces insulin which takes the glucose from the bloodstream into body cells, where it is then used for body fuel. If the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulins or the cells don’t use insulin properly, the glucose builds up in the bloodstream while the cells that fuel the body are starved of energy. Overtime, if not treated diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as risk for heart disease, kidney renal disease, blindness, and nerve problems.
There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 and 2 diabetes and gestational
diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 of diabetes is more serious than type 2 diabetes, in that the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, which control blood sugar (glucose) resulting in having to take insulin shots or other medication for diabetes. Sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes, although developing most often in children and teenagers, type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. Early diagnosis is crucial in preventing other serious complications brought about by diabetes disease and the effects of diabetes, such as heart disease, chronic kidney disease, being blind, nerve damage, and high blood pressure level. Some symptoms for diabetes are:
* Loss of weight
* Fatique-no energy
* Excessive thirst
* Increase in appetite
* Vision eyesight blurred
* Frequent urinating
Type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 of diabetes is the more common form of diabeties and although there is no cure for type 2 diabetes it can usually be controlled by losing weight and getting rid of excess fat, exercise, and eating healthy foods. Those with type 2 diabetes are able to create insulin; however, the pancreas can’t create enough insulin for a healthy blood sugar level or a normal glucose range to enter body cells to be used for self energy. Some of the diabetes risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes are:
* Genetic ancestry: If a parent or sibling has diabetes two the risk is higher for another family member of getting the disease.
* Being overweight
* Type 2 diabetes increases with age 45 and up
* Race or ethnic background. The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in Africans, Latin Americans, Native Americans and Asians
* Non active. Health and fitness exercise is important for keeping type 2 diabetes under control
* Elevated blood pressure
Gestational diabetes: what is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes, sometimes called glucose intolerance pregnancy, affects women who have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Usually, for most women there are no signs of symptoms. Most women are routinely screened between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy with a gestational diabetes testing glucose screening test. Screening is usually done by what’s known as the oral glucose tolerance test. This test measures blood sugar glucose to see if the body is handling the breaking down of blood sugars. Controlling gestational diabetes consist of diet & nutrition and exercise.
With any one of these diabetes types, controlling diabetes with diet, exercise and keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible is crucial for a diabetic.
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