Diabetes FAQ’s

Diabetes afflicts millions of people worldwide. The rate of incidence has been increasing much faster in recent years than in previous decades. In the U.S. alone, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 1.5 million people are newly diagnosed for diabetes mellitus annually. People ages 40-59 have the highest incidence.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body is unable either to produce enough or to properly use insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin helps the body regulate the level of glucose (the simplest form of sugar) in the blood and the rate of glucose absorption into individual cells. Glucose is used by the cells to produce energy. Furthermore, glucose serves as the sole food for the brain; therefore, glucose level must be kept within a particular range to enable normal functioning of the brain.

Why has diabetes become prevalent?

Advancing age of the population, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are some of the factors that contribute to the increase in diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes or have a prior history of gestational diabetes, then you belong to the groups at particularly high risk for developing the disease.

How do I know if I have diabetes?

You can actually test yourself for diabetes by purchasing some of the diabetes blood testing kits at a drugstore. However, it is highly recommended that you consult a health care professional especially if you have not yet been diagnosed for diabetes. Some of the symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, weight loss, frequent urination, extreme thirst, feeling hungry most of the time, and eyesight problems.

What are the different types of diabetes?

The two major types of diabetes are Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and Type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 1 occurs when the body's immune system malfunctions such that it attacks and destroys the pancreas, particularly the beta-cells responsible for producing insulin. Type 2 happens when the pancreas produce only small amounts of insulin, much less than required by the cells, or when cells do not respond (i.e. become resistant) to the action of insulin. Type 2 diabetes affects more people (about 90 to 95 per cent) than Type 1 diabetes.

Is diabetes curable?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for diabetes yet. However, this disorder is manageable. To effectively manage diabetes, you must educate yourself about the disease. You can get diabetes information from books, and reliable internet sources. You will also need to alter your lifestyle, that is, exercise, smoking cessation, and weight loss are some of the changes that contribute to effective diabetes management. As a diabetic, you must not fail to routinely monitor your blood sugar level at home. There are also available medications that your doctor might prescribe to help you regulate the disease.

Information On How You Can Manage & Control Diabetes