When people think about diabetes they usually think it has something to do with sugar. But sadly, that’s all they know about the disease. To function properly, the body needs glucose but occasionally it becomes incapable of processing the sugar that it gets from foods we eat. Once the body is incapable of processing sugar with efficiency, the diagnosis is diabetes. Knowing what the symptoms are in the early stages can assist in getting the proper treatment and the avoidance of serious complications.

With proper diet and sufficient exercise you may very well be able to avoid this diagnosis. This, in spite of the fact that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently made the sobering prediction that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the United States is anticipated to jump by a minimum of twelve percent, or nearly five million people by the year 2050.

Type 1 diabetes

This type was formerly called juvenile diabetes because most commonly found in children and young adults. With type 1 the body is incapable of producing any of the insulin that it requires to function. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder meaning that the immune system goes haywire and starts attacking the body. With Type 1 diabetes, it destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. When this occurs, the body can no longer produce insulin. Those with Type 1 diabetes are required to take insulin daily for the remainder of their lives.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 was formerly called adult-onset diabetes, however children too can get this form of the disease. With type 2, the body still produces some insulin, but an insufficient amount to control blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes

Pregnant women are the only people who get gestational diabetes, which commonly occurs at some point in the latter stages of a pregnancy. Hormonal changes occurring in the woman’s body are the cause of it.

Some of the common symptoms of diabetes are:

FatigueUnexplained weight lossBlurred vision Excessive thirstPersistent hungerFrequent urinationMinor cuts and abrasions that won’t heal.

Diabetes risk factors include:

Improper dietObesitySedentary lifestyleFamily history of diabetesBeing 45 years or olderHDL cholesterol below 35High triglycerides (250 mg/dL or more)Impaired glucose toleranceHigh blood pressure (greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg)Diabetes during a previous pregnancyBeing of African, Native American, Hispanic, or Asian decent

Treatment for diabetes includes:

DietExerciseWeight controlTaking insulin and other medicationsKeeping blood pressure under controlLowering your cholesterol levels

A major lifestyle change, especially if you are older, can be very difficult. However, if you discover that you have diabetes, you had better get yourself ready to change. Remember, diabetes is not a death sentence, you just have to start taking better care of yourself which we all should be doing anyway.

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