Diabetes - Symptoms and treatment of diabetes

Diabetes

Editor, One Healthy Lifestyle
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Symptoms and treatment of diabetes
With the rise of adult and childhood obesity in North America, we as a culture are seeing a big jump in obesity-related diseases, including diabetes. Over 7 percent of the United States population suffers from diabetes, and 6.2 million people who have the disease don’t realize that they have it.

What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a pancreatic disorder, where the body cannot produce or process insulin. Insulin is used by the body to break down blood sugars and starches into energy. Although the exact cause of the disease is unknown, it is thought that the increase in obesity and inactivity in today’s culture is increasing the incidence of diabetes. Genetics is also a big factor in who will get the disease.

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes
This type of diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes, because it’s usually diagnosed in children and in young adults. In this form of the disease, the body does not produce insulin at all.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
Nausea and vomiting
Frequent urination, with large amounts of urine being produced at one time
Unexplained weight loss
Irritability
Fatigue
A sweet or acetone smell to the breath

There is no cure for this type of diabetes, but you can keep it under control by supplying the body with the right amount of insulin through pumps, injections or pen injections. Monitoring the blood sugar level is extremely important for people with type 1. If the blood sugar level is even a little bit off, complications can occur which are sometimes fatal.

Type 2 diabetes
This type of diabetes is more common. Insulin is continuing to be produced, but it’s not being properly used in the body. This type of diabetes normally occurs later in life.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
Slow-healing cuts and bruises
Recurrent infections of the gums, bladder and skin
Itchy skin
Frequent need to urinate
Increased thirst
Tingling in the hands or feet
Fatigue or blurred vision
High blood pressure
Impotence
Worsening eyesight
Angina or heart attacks
Treatment
Treatment often includes oral medications or insulin shots, but depending on how severe the symptoms are, type 2 diabetes care can simply include more exercise and a healthy diet plan. Diabetes supplies are available from several online manufacturers and also medical supply stores. For both types of the disease, a doctor will diagnose and then recommend a treatment plan. Resources for diabetics can be found online, at hospitals and in support groups in your particular area.