Diabetes Overview

An estimated 21 million Americans have diabetes, a disease characterized by too much sugar in the bloodstream. Not all of them, however, have been diagnosed with the disease. If you have diabetes, you will want to learn as much as you can about how to take care of yourself. The better you eat and the more you exercise and keep your weight down, the more likely you will be able to lead a full and healthy life.

What causes diabetes? Both type I and type II diabetes occur when the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach, does not produce enough of the hormone called insulin. Insulin is the hormone necessary to carry sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. Once inside the cells, our body breaks down food, converting it into energy for immediate use, or storing it for the future. The body then uses that energy for all our bodily functions and to rid the body of waste products. This process is known as metabolism.

Here are the steps that happen during normal metabolism:

1. During and just after a meal, the body digests food into its “basic building blocks.” This means the body breaks down carbohydrates (starches) into sugar. Glucose is the primary form of sugar the body needs for energy.
2. After the meal, glucose is absorbed into the blood.
3. The rise in blood glucose tells the pancreas to make insulin, which goes out into the bloodstream. About 10 minutes after a meal, insulin is at its highest level.
4. Insulin helps the glucose enter the body's cells. The glucose either is used right away for energy or stored in the liver and muscles for future use.
5. About two to four hours after eating a meal, the body returns to low levels of blood glucose, and the body starts using stored glucose as source of energy.

Here is what happens if a person has diabetes:

1. The pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin or the body is resistant to the action of insulin.
2. Without enough insulin to move sugar from the bloodstream and into the cells, the blood glucose level rises too high.
3. With increasing blood glucose concentration, extra glucose passes into the urine and out of the body before the body gets the energy it needs every day. 4. The body will react to a sugar imbalance and, eventually, the person may be at risk for major health problems. This is why it is important to get tested for diabetes and begin treatment as soon as possible.

There are two types of diabetes, type I diabetes and type II diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, is the more severe form as far as glucose is concerned. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to treat their condition. Their bodies make very little or no insulin. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can come on suddenly. This form of the disease is commonly seen in children and used to be called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes; however, type I diabetes may occur at any age.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, affecting 90 to 95 percent of all individuals with this disease. With type II diabetes, the body is resistant to the action of insulin, so it cannot carry sugar into the cells. Although the body makes some insulin, it is not enough to overcome this resistance. As more children and adults become overweight, many more are developing type II diabetes.

People with type II diabetes often can control the condition with a healthy lifestyle. Many may need medications, however. These medications can either improve insulin secretion by the pancreas or decrease insulin resistance. Some individuals may also need to take insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disorder because the ability of the pancreas to make insulin slowly gets worse over time. This is why lifestyle changes may be sufficient shortly after the onset of diabetes but as time goes on, more and more medications and even insulin may be required to keep the blood sugar under control.

If the disease is in the early stage, an individual may not experience any diabetes symptoms. If you suspect you may have diabetes, you should see a doctor. Symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, excessive thirst, and excessive urination.

You may be at high risk of developing diabetes if you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or if you have a history of diabetes during pregnancy. If so, you should get tested for this condition. Other groups more likely to have diabetes are individuals over 45 years of age and non-Caucasians. Signs of diabetes should not be ignored.

A doctor will do various tests to measure a person's blood glucose level and that individual’s ability to tolerate glucose. Getting blood glucose levels under control is necessary to prevent the complications of diabetes.

Both diabetes types can cause dangerous complications if it is not controlled. Specifically, if you have diabetes, you can go blind. You can also develop heart disease, and kidney failure. You are at risk of losing a limb one day, because of a decrease in circulation. In addition, you may experience life-threatening reactions to extremely low or high blood sugar levels.

Because of the possible serious consequences of diabetes, people with diabetes must manage their treatment carefully. Endocrinologists and internal medicine physicians who specialize in diabetes are trained to help patients manage this condition. People with diabetes may also need to see eye doctors (ophthalmologists), foot doctors (podiatrists), dietitians, and diabetes educators to round out their care. Only with proper attention can people with diabetes live the healthiest life possible.