| Diabetes can be defined as having too much blood | | | | aspirin daily. With Type 2 diabetes, your body tends to |
| glucose or sugar. Normal glucose levels are good, | | | | produce less insulin as time passes, and many patients |
| because a body needs glucose to create energy, but | | | | have to take more medication or start injections of |
| when there is too much glucose it has adverse | | | | insulin as time passes. |
| effects on the body. | | | | Pregnant women sometimes experience Gestational |
| What Causes Diabetes? | | | | diabetes. It happens to approximately one in twenty |
| When you eat, your body converts food to glucose. | | | | women, because hormones prevent insulin from |
| Blood transports the glucose to cells in your body. In | | | | reaching cells. When this happens, the body starts |
| order to successfully carry out its mission, glucose | | | | making more insulin, but it might not be enough. When |
| must have insulin to reach the cells. Insulin is produced | | | | pregnancy is over, Gestational diabetes usually |
| in the pancreas. If your insulin levels are off, the | | | | disappears. Later on, however, a woman who had |
| pancreas can't release enough insulin, and glucose is | | | | Gestational diabetes could develop Type 2 diabetes |
| unable to reach your cells. When this happens, blood | | | | later on. |
| glucose levels become have and diabetes is | | | | What Causes Diabetes? |
| diagnosed. | | | | No one knows why causes Type 1 or Type 2 |
| What Can Happen If I Have Diabetes | | | | diabetes. Some researchers believe it is caused by |
| If your diabetes is not treated, serious side-effects can | | | | genetic factors, while others feel it might be brought on |
| occur including blindness, stroke, kidney failure, heart | | | | by environmental issues. Type 2 diabetes is often |
| disease, nerve damage and amputation. If diabetes | | | | associated with obesity or excess weight. |
| occurs during a woman's pregnancy, there can be | | | | Gestational diabetes is known to be caused by |
| complications for the mother and birth defects for the | | | | hormones and weight gain during pregnancy. Although |
| baby. | | | | these are healthy factors during a pregnancy, there |
| Are There Different Types of Diabetes? | | | | are cases when a pregnant woman can't get the level |
| There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 is usually | | | | of insulin necessary to nourish cells. |
| diagnosed in young adults and children and lasts a | | | | Can I Get Diabetes? |
| lifetime. With Type 1 diabetes, your body cannot make | | | | Anyone can get diabetes. No one knows why people |
| insulin so insulin must be taken every day in the form | | | | get Type 1. Risk factors for Type 2 include people |
| of a shot or by using an insulin pump. Exercising | | | | over 45, obesity, family history of diabetes, ethnic |
| regularly, eating the right food and controlling cholesterol | | | | background, birth weight baby of more than nine |
| levels and blood pressure are important ways to help | | | | pounds, diabetes during pregnancy, high blood pressure |
| stay healthy with Type 1 Diabetes. Some people also | | | | and/or cholesterol level, lack of exercise, other health |
| take one aspirin daily. | | | | conditions related to the use of insulin and history of |
| The most common diabetes is Type 2. It occurs in nine | | | | stroke or heart attack. |
| out of ten people who suffer from diabetes. Type 2 | | | | What Are The Symptoms of Diabetes? |
| can occur at any age. With this type, your body | | | | Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, thirst, |
| produces insulin, but the glucose is not able to get to | | | | weight loss, tingling in limbs, tiredness, sores that won't |
| your cells. Most people with Type 2 diabetes take | | | | heal, blurred vision and frequent infection. These |
| medication, exercise, eat healthy foods, and control | | | | symptoms, although somewhat generic, should be |
| blood pressure and cholesterol. Some people take an | | | | addressed with your physician if you have them. |