What exactly is Diabetes?
Hyperglycemia or Diabetes is the result of abnormally high glucose levels due to an imbalance of insulin in the blood. Insulins job is to convert glucose into energy to fuel the body's cells. If glucose is not converted properly, complications and organ damage can occur.
An elevated sugar level or glucose level is the definition of diabetes. The body uses insulin to regulate glucose levels, so when insulin cannot perform its job properly, complications of the disease occur. Common symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and frequent urination.
The two forms of diabetes are:
Type 1: This form of diabetes is genetic and is commonly diagnosed in children. In this case, the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin. Type 2: This form of diabetes is metabolic and is the result of the proper production of insulin, but the body is resistant to it.
Both types of diabetes create increased glucose levels in the blood that must be monitored on a daily basis.
Anyone who has family members diagnosed with diabetes, is overweight or leads a sedentary lifestyle is at risk for this disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms vary and may not present themselves in all people. Some have no signs at all of the disease while others may exhibit any of the following:
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headache and non healing wounds.
The body reacts to protect itself by getting rid of the excess glucose through the kidneys causing frequent urination or polyuria. With frequent urination comes dehydration which causes the excessive thirst and headache. These symptoms are the same as dehydration caused by a hangover.
Living a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight are risk factors for development of the disease.
How Can I Find Out If I Have Diabetes?
Knowing the symptoms is the first step, as well as learning what your risk factors are. If you suspect that you may have this condition, there are diagnostic tests that your doctor can administer to determine if you indeed have the disease. How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
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 Treatments are there for Diabetes?
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 main goal for treating diabetes is to regulate glucose levels while preventing the disease from progressing further and causing other complications.
Hyperglycemia or Diabetes is the result of abnormally high glucose levels due to an imbalance of insulin in the blood. Insulins job is to convert glucose into energy to fuel the body's cells. If glucose is not converted properly, complications and organ damage can occur.
An elevated sugar level or glucose level is the definition of diabetes. The body uses insulin to regulate glucose levels, so when insulin cannot perform its job properly, complications of the disease occur. Common symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and frequent urination.
The two forms of diabetes are:
Type 1: This form of diabetes is genetic and is commonly diagnosed in children. In this case, the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin. Type 2: This form of diabetes is metabolic and is the result of the proper production of insulin, but the body is resistant to it.
Both types of diabetes create increased glucose levels in the blood that must be monitored on a daily basis.
Anyone who has family members diagnosed with diabetes, is overweight or leads a sedentary lifestyle is at risk for this disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms vary and may not present themselves in all people. Some have no signs at all of the disease while others may exhibit any of the following:
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, headache and non healing wounds.
The body reacts to protect itself by getting rid of the excess glucose through the kidneys causing frequent urination or polyuria. With frequent urination comes dehydration which causes the excessive thirst and headache. These symptoms are the same as dehydration caused by a hangover.
Living a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight are risk factors for development of the disease.
How Can I Find Out If I Have Diabetes?
Knowing the symptoms is the first step, as well as learning what your risk factors are. If you suspect that you may have this condition, there are diagnostic tests that your doctor can administer to determine if you indeed have the disease. How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
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 Treatments are there for Diabetes?
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 main goal for treating diabetes is to regulate glucose levels while preventing the disease from progressing further and causing other complications.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is an established writer who loves to write and share about her experience and knowledge about her nursing career days. She started an online classroom at Clivir.com where she provide more information about Two forms of Diabetes and Ways to Prevent Diabetes.
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