What is diabetes?

Ancient history first identified diabetes as a disease associated with “sweet urine,” and excessive muscle loss. Today it is known as diabetes mellitus, a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar glucose levels that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. It is the result of insufficient production of insulin either absolutely or relative to the body’s needs, production of defective insulin which is uncommon, or the inability of cells to use insulin properly and efficiently which leads to hyperglycemia and diabetes. In other words diabetes affects the body’s ability to use blood sugar for energy leaving your blood glucose, or sugar levels too high.

Types of Diabetes

There are many forms of diabetes with the most common being referred to as Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes used to be known as juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes mellitus, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Another common form of diabetes which is contracted by pregnant women is gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during the second half of pregnancy. Generally this type of diabetes typically goes away after delivery of the baby. Women with gestational diabetes are more likely to have larger babies. Pre-diabetes is a common condition related to diabetes. People with pre-diabetes have higher than normal, blood sugar levels but not high enough to be considered diabetic. Pre-diabetes can typically be reversed without insulin or medication by losing a modest amount of weight and increasing their physical activity.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unusual weight loss, blurred vision and extreme fatigue. Unfortunately some people don’t have symptoms, especially when diabetes is diagnosed early on. If you do have one or more of the common symptoms of diabetes, it is not a good idea to ignore them or wait and see what happens.

Some of the Effects of Diabetes

Long-term diabetes complications are the result from damage to the body’s tissues. Over time, diabetes can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, feet, skin, nerves and teeth and gums. Damage to the kidneys from diabetes diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of kidney failure and damage to the retina from diabetes diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness.

Conclusion

About one third of diabetic adults do not know they have it. If you have one or more of the common symptoms of diabetes, do not ignore them or wait and see what happens. Make an appointment with your physician now and start your treatment before it’s too late. With treatment and a change in your diet, you can live a long time without complications.