Diabetes is a type of endocrine disease that affects more than 23.6 million people in the United States alone. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing or reduces the production of insulin into the bloodstream. The result is a buildup of sugar or glucose in the blood. The body depends on glucose for energy and survival, but too much can be damaging and life-threatening.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually arise before a patient is diagnosed. An overwhelming sense of thirst along with frequent urination is a sign of diabetes---especially when the person is not physically active or requiring fluids because of sweating or overheating. Weight loss, along with an increase in hunger, can also be a sign. Symptoms of blurred or distorted vision, numbness in the extremities, unhealed wounds, mood swings and fatigue could also indicate the presence of the disease.
Types
There are two main types of Diabetes---type 1 (juvenile diabetes) and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is often diagnosed during childhood, although it can occur at any age. In type 1, the body generally does not produce any insulin at all. This means insulin must be injected throughout the day to prevent excess glucose from building up in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes is often referred to as adult onset diabetes. In type 2, the body may still produce insulin but generally only in small amounts. Patients may have to take medication to help stimulate the pancreas with insulin production.
Risk Factors
Both types of diabetes can be hereditary, although it is more common with type 2 patients. Diabetes can skip direct generations, meaning a grandparent who has diabetes may pass down the gene down to his grandchildren but not his children. Other risk factors include people who are obese and inactive and have high cholesterol and blood pressure. Age also increases the risk for developing the disease. Some women may also develop diabetes while they are pregnant; this is called gestational diabetes.
Treatment
Someone who is diagnosed with diabetes must seek medical treatment as soon as possible. One of the first steps in treatment include testing blood sugar. This can be done at home before and after meals to determine an accurate blood sugar reading. The patient's doctor will create an insulin sliding scale that will determine how many units of insulin to take depending on the blood sugar level. Diabetics who are not insulin-dependent may have to take an oral medication used for treating diabetes, such as repaglinide (Prandin), nateglinide (Starlix), metformin (Glucopage) or rosiglitazone (Avandia). Eating a balanced diet low in carbohydrates and sweets and getting adequate exercise daily will help keep diabetics stay healthy.
Complications
There are some complications associated with diabetes, generally because of the diabetes or blood sugars running high and uncontrolled. These include hypertension, stroke, heart disease, blindness, damage to the central nervous system, limb amputation, kidney disease, periodontal or gum disease and increased complications associated with pneumonia and other illnesses.
