What exactly is Diabetes?
When there is an imbalance of insulin and glucose in the blood that causes glucose levels to be abnormally high, this is a condition called diabetes, or hyperglycemia. Insulin serves to regulate glucose levels to stay within normal values. In the absence of adequate insulin, glucose isn't changed into energy for the cells to use as fuel, leading to organ damage and complications.
The proper definition of diabetes is the elevated level of glucose or sugar in the blood. The body naturally regulates these levels by producing insulin which converts glucose into energy for the cells to use as fuel. If insulin cannot perform its job properly, glucose levels rise resulting in complications of this disease. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination and excessive thirst.
There are two forms of diabetes:
Type 1: Is genetic, the pancreas does not make insulin. It is usually diagnosed in young children Type 2: Is metabolic, in that insulin is being produced but the body is resistant to it.
Both types cause increased glucose in the blood that must be monitored daily.
You are at risk for the development of diabetes if you are overweight, have family members diagnosed with it, and live a sedentary lifestyle.
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
There are many different symptoms of diabetes. In addition, not everyone will display any or all of these signs. Some of the symptoms include:
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headache and non healing wounds.
Due to the buildup of glucose in the blood, the body tries to get rid of it via the kidneys, resulting in polyuria (increased urination). Frequent trips to the bathroom cause dehydration, which explains the extreme thirst and headache. Dehydration is the same reason for the headache of a hangover.
Excessive weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are extreme risk factors for diabetes.
How Do I Get Diagnosed?
The first step to knowing your risks is knowing the signs. From there, a visit with a medical professional will determine if you indeed have the disease. By performing specific tests, a doctor can diagnose your risk factors, whether you have it and what type you have. How is diabetes diagnosed by a doctor?
Tests that measure the amount of glucose levels in the blood will be performed. The generalized level is between 70 mg/dl-125 mg/dl.
What are the means of treatment?
Treatments for diabetes include dietary changes, exercise 3 to 4 times a week, daily monitoring of glucose levels and insulin injections by syringe, pump or prefilled pens.
The goal of treatment is to control glucose levels within the normal range to prevent complications and slow the progression of the disease.
When there is an imbalance of insulin and glucose in the blood that causes glucose levels to be abnormally high, this is a condition called diabetes, or hyperglycemia. Insulin serves to regulate glucose levels to stay within normal values. In the absence of adequate insulin, glucose isn't changed into energy for the cells to use as fuel, leading to organ damage and complications.
The proper definition of diabetes is the elevated level of glucose or sugar in the blood. The body naturally regulates these levels by producing insulin which converts glucose into energy for the cells to use as fuel. If insulin cannot perform its job properly, glucose levels rise resulting in complications of this disease. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination and excessive thirst.
There are two forms of diabetes:
Type 1: Is genetic, the pancreas does not make insulin. It is usually diagnosed in young children Type 2: Is metabolic, in that insulin is being produced but the body is resistant to it.
Both types cause increased glucose in the blood that must be monitored daily.
You are at risk for the development of diabetes if you are overweight, have family members diagnosed with it, and live a sedentary lifestyle.
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
There are many different symptoms of diabetes. In addition, not everyone will display any or all of these signs. Some of the symptoms include:
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headache and non healing wounds.
Due to the buildup of glucose in the blood, the body tries to get rid of it via the kidneys, resulting in polyuria (increased urination). Frequent trips to the bathroom cause dehydration, which explains the extreme thirst and headache. Dehydration is the same reason for the headache of a hangover.
Excessive weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are extreme risk factors for diabetes.
How Do I Get Diagnosed?
The first step to knowing your risks is knowing the signs. From there, a visit with a medical professional will determine if you indeed have the disease. By performing specific tests, a doctor can diagnose your risk factors, whether you have it and what type you have. How is diabetes diagnosed by a doctor?
Tests that measure the amount of glucose levels in the blood will be performed. The generalized level is between 70 mg/dl-125 mg/dl.
What are the means of treatment?
Treatments for diabetes include dietary changes, exercise 3 to 4 times a week, daily monitoring of glucose levels and insulin injections by syringe, pump or prefilled pens.
The goal of treatment is to control glucose levels within the normal range to prevent complications and slow the progression of the disease.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who loves to share her knowledge about What Causes Diabetes. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where you can find more of her articles about Hypoglycemia Causes.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment