Diabetes – The Too Sweet Life

With nearly 24 million Americans suffering from diabetes, it is one of the most pervasive ailments in the United States today. Diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin or if it does, it does not respond properly to it. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by the pancreas, which the body then uses to absorb glucose, or blood sugar, and metabolize it into energy. A diabetic will be unable to metabolize some or all of the sugar in their blood, which can lead to many complications. There are several different types of diabetes and while all are treatable through proper diet and medication, most are not curable.

Diabetes is most often detected first through a simple urine test. One of the chief symptoms of the disease is excessive thirst and excessive urination. The urine of a diabetic will be found to have excessive ketones. This means that there is blood sugar spilling off into the urine as it is finding its way to the kidneys rather than having been metabolized in the blood stream. If excessive ketones are found in a simple urine test then a fasting blood test is often ordered, to determine what the blood sugar level of the individual is. Other indications of diabetes include rapid, significant weight loss and irreversible mental fatigue. Diabetes can develop at any point in a person's life and can either have a fast onset, as in type I diabetes or can have a long, protracted onset, as in type II diabetes.

Depending upon the severity and type of diabetes, patients may often be able to keep their blood sugar under control without the need to take daily insulin injections. This is achieved through a combination of careful monitoring of the blood sugar levels and diet. Avoiding foods which are high in sugar or that are especially starchy can help keep sugar levels in line. There are many foods that are especially prepared for diabetics, using artificial sweeteners and the like, which enable diabetics to resume a near normal day to day life.

With proper precaution, diabetes is a highly treatable condition. If not properly managed though, it can be fatal. There is a genetic predisposition for the disease, so if someone in your family suffers from diabetes, you are at an increased risk of developing the condition yourself. If you or someone you care about suffers from diabetes or may be at risk, it is extremely important that you get checked and take care of yourself.

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