What is Diabetes?

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it means that something is wrong with your body's ability to produce insulin, a vital hormone produced by an organ called the pancreas. This allows your cells to load in fuel in the form of glucose (sometimes called 'blood sugar'). If glucose doesn't reach your cells, they begin to weaken. Also, the unused sugar builds up in your blood stream damaging everything from your blood vessels to your organs. There are 2 common types of diabetes, referred to as 'type 1' and 'type 2'. Broadly speaking, 'type 1' diabetes occurs earlier in life, usually in childhood, and basically means that your pancreas is not producing any insulin at all, or producing far less than your body needs. 'Type 2' diabetes occurs later in life, usually in your 40s, and occurs when your body is making insulin, but is not able to make proper use of it. According to Diabetes UK, there is a new case of diabetes being diagnosed every 5 minutes - that is at least 250 new diabetes sufferers every day! In earlier times, being diagnosed as diabetic meant a lifetime of misery, and a pretty short one at that!. Thankfully, the skill and expertise of modern doctors means that we now have treatments for diabetes that ensure a longer and happier life. We now know that the complications of diabetes can be reduced significantly by a healthier lifestyle, with sensible amounts of exercise and a carefully controlled diet.

Posted on: 2006-07-30 05:16
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This page discusses: diabetes, diabetic, glucose intolerance, insulin, diabetic medication