What is Diabetes
Posted on November 10, 2009
Filed Under Foot and leg health | Leave a Comment
Diabetes is a common disease that’s associated with numerous complications that can effect the entire body and in the most extreme cases without proper treatment or management can lead to amputation of the extremities, particularly the legs and feet.
There are three types of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes, each marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. If not medically attended to diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death. Fortunately, diabetics can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
Type 1 (previously called insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset) – This is where the pancreas ceases production of insulin (Insulin helps the body use the glucose it gets from food for needed energy) completely and accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. It can be treated by a direct dose of insulin, usually in the form of several injections a day.
Type 2 (previously called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset) – This is the most common form of diabetes where the pancreas produces an insufficient amount of insulin. This is usually treated by tablets or insulin and in mild cases, diet alone. It accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Gestational diabetes- affects about 7 percent of all pregnancies, resulting in more than 200,000 cases annually. Gestational diabetes raises a woman’s risk of getting either type 1 or type 2 (most prevalent) for the rest of her life. It also raises her child’s risk of being overweight and getting diabetes.
Some facts about diabetes you may not be familiar with:
- Diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar. It is genetic.
- Craving sugar and/or junk food is not a sign of diabetes development.
- Type one diabetes is not a ‘worse’ form of the disease, it is a variant.
- Type one diabetes and type two diabetes are generally very different. Type one diabetics cannot produce insulin on their own and type two diabetics cannot process the insulin they produce correctly.
- Every diabetic has a different treatment plan for their disease, so there is no universally ‘diabetic friendly’ food.
- Sugar free does not necessarily mean that a diabetic can consume it without having a negative effect on their blood sugar.
- We can usually eat things that contain sugar.
- Diabetes is a very serious disease, but easy to manage.
- There is no cure for diabetes, only treatment.
- Diabetes is not curable.
- Having to urinate frequently is not always a symptom of diabetes.
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