Diabetes is a condition that affects how the body uses carbohydrates for energy. It is diagnosed when the concentration of glucose in the blood is abnormally high (more than 126mg/dL).

Role of insulin

The body’s main source of energy comes from carbohydrates, which are turned into glucose in the body. For glucose in the bloodstream to be able to enter into body cells, the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, is required.

Sometimes, the body cannot make enough insulin or use the insulin it does make effectively - this is known as insulin resistance - which causes blood glucose levels to rise. The reason why insulin resistance develops are becoming more defined.? It is now known that genetics, diet, and level of physical activity are all involved.

Insufficient insulin action and the resulting high blood-glucose levels can lead to diabetes. Most of the treatments for diabetes are aimed at restoring and maintaining normal blood-glucose levels.

How common is diabetes?

One of the most common chronic diseases in North America, diabetes affects about 17 million adults in the US, and is on the rise, most likely as a result of increased rates of obesity. In addition, more than 20 million adults in the US have reduced glucose tolerance and/or insulin resistance, and may have mildly elevated blood sugar levels, which is known as prediabetes.

Control your child’s eating

Children who snack on fatty foods, such as chips, and have a low level of activity are at risk of becoming overweight and developing diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

This accounts for 5-10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, and is the form that is more likely to affect children and people under 30 years of age. Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is due to the destruction of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, thus causing insulin deficiency. It can be treated with injections of synthetic insulin.

Without sufficient insulin, people with type 1 diabetes may develop weight loss, excessive thirst and hunger, frequent need to urinate, lack of energy, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. If it is untreated or poorly controlled type 1 diabetes can also lead to ketoacidosis.

Type 2 diabetes

The development of type 2 diabetes, or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is strongly related to lifestyle factors. Increasing the amount of exercise you do, losing weight if necessary and maintaining a healthy weight, increasing your fiber intake, and cutting down on your fat intake (particularly saturated fats), have been shown to delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in susceptible people.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, and is the type that usually occurs in adults over age 40 who are often overweight. It is now increasingly common in overweight adolescents, too.

People with type 2 diabetes do not need insulin injections because the pancreas continues to secrete insulin. Symptoms develop slowly and are not usually obvious. Some people may simply feel tired, but when blood-glucose levels are very high symptoms similar to type 1 diabetes can develop. Eventually about 40 percent of people who have type 2 diabetes will require insulin to maintain adequate control of their blood-glucose levels.

Gestational diabetes

This type of diabetes occurs in some women during pregnancy due to an increase in hormones, some of which may have anti-insulin properties. Women who are diagnosed with elevated blood sugar levels in pregnancy can usually control the problem with diet and exercise, although some may have to take insulin.

Jargon buster

When the body’s tissues cannot take up glucose from the blood, fat is broken down for energy instead. The breakdown of fat produces chemicals called ketone bodies, or ketones. When these build up to high levels, a ketoacidosis occurs. The symptoms of ketoacidosis include abdominal pain, rapid deep respiration, fruity breath odor, weakness, fatigue, confusion, stupor, and shock. It can lead to severe dehydration, coma, or even death.

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