Diabetes

It is estimated that 23.6 million people in the United States, including children and adults, heve diabetes.  That’s almost 8%.  Unfortunately, almost 6 million people are unaware that they have the disease.  Currently doctors are not quite sure what causes diabetes but they have concluded that some factors put you at higher risk.  These risk factors include ethnicity, age, weight and level of physical activity.

In case you are not familiar with diabetes, it is the bodies inablity to produce or properly use insulin.  Insulin is needed for the body to convert sugars, starches and other food into the energy you need to go about your everyday activities.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes include, but are not limited to:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Irritability

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should make an appointment with your family physician.  The doctor will get some background information from you and will send you for some testing to diagnose diabetes.  A Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) will be performed.  The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster and less expensive to perform.  Normal glucose levels are between 80 and 100 mg/dl.  If the levels are between 100 and 125 mg/dl this signal pre-diabetes, while anything over 126 mg/dl indicates diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes.  If you have Type 1 then your body does not produce insulin.  This is the type most often found in children.  With Type 1 diabetes it is usually necessary to use inject insulin on a regular basis.  If you have Type 1 diabetes you are also at risk for several other health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, eye complications, oral health concerns, skin and foot complications, gastroparesis and depression.

If you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes this means that your body either does not produce enough insulin or your cells simply ignore the insulin it does produce.  Type 2 diabetes is the most common form.  You may need to take insulin injections or pills.  Either way you must keep a close watch on your blood glucose levels with at home testing devices.  Most monitors will store your information to help the doctor make any needed adjustments to your treatment plan.  Type 2 diabetes also comes with several other health concerns such as heart disease, stroke, eye complications, nerve damage, skin and foot complications, gastroparesis and depression.

If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above you should see your healthcare professional for further testing.  Early detection of diabetes is crucial in living a normal life expectancy.

For more information please visit http://www.diabetes.org/