Diabetes Basics
What Is Diabetes?
When the blood sugar (glucose) in your body is too high, you develop diabetes. There are three types of diabetes and they are known as type 1 and type 2 and gestational diabetes.
What Is The Normal Level Of Blood Sugar And How Is It Formed?
The normal level of blood sugar should be about 70 to 120.
Glucose is formed from the food we eat and is essential for our body’s functioning; the blood then carriers the glucose to all the cells in our body. The pancreas creates and releases insulin (which is a chemical and hormone) into the blood which helps the glucose from the food to get into our cells. If the body does not create enough insulin or if the reaction of insulin/glucose fails, the body cannot get the glucose to the cells which, in turn raises the blood sugar and causes diabetes.
Usual Symptoms Of Having High Blood Sugar Are:
* Being constantly very thirsty
* Urinating much more often than one normally does
* Feeling tired more then usual
* Feeling hungry more then usual
* Having sores that do not heal quickly
* Having dry, itchy skin
* Losing the feeling in your feet or having a tingling sensation
* Having blurry eyesight
If you have some of these symptoms and may not be sure if they are normal; consult your doctor immediately for a blood sugar control which will determine if you are in danger of having diabetes or not.
It is essential to treat diabetes very carefully as in due course diabetes can lead to serious side effects such as:
* Eye sight problems
* Kidney failure
* Attacking the nerves
* Affecting your gums and teeth
* Heart disease
People with diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart stoke than those who don’t have this disease.
Most people don’t even know that they have diabetes until it is too late and they are faced with a heart stroke or worse; checking your blood sugar regularly would help you keep your body healthy and disease free.
Regular check ups should be done not only for high blood sugar levels but for all your body’s vital functions. Knowing in time can help you prevent a major disease and suffering for yourself you family and friends. Information is the power that will keep you healthy and happy.
Diabetes In The News
Diabetes could cost Ontario $7B by 2020
Diabetes could cost Ontario $7 billion a year by 2020 if action isn't taken now, says the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Diabetes could cost Ontario $7 billion a year by 2020, new study indicates
TORONTO — The Canadian Diabetes Association says if action isn’t taken now, diabetes could cost Ontario $7 billion a year by 2020. A study released today by the association indicates the cost and prevalence of diabetes has risen sharply over the last 10 years in the province.
Diabetes might hinder cognition, study says
Type 2 diabetes is linked with a number of health problems, buta new study finds that older diabetics who have high bloodpressure, gait and balance problems or think their health is poormay be at higher risk for cognitive problems.
Canadian Diabetes Association launches campaign to address burden of diabetes in New Brunswick
The Canadian Diabetes Association is urging candidates who are seeking office in the 2010 New Brunswick Provincial Election to take diabetes seriously by committing to a list of priorities that will help improve the lives of New Brunswickers who live with diabetes.