| Diabetes is an insulin-related disease that affects close | | | | where the immune system actually destroys the cells |
| to 21 million people in the United States. This serious | | | | in the body that produce insulin. This type of diabetes |
| condition is characterized by the bodys inability to | | | | may also be referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes |
| produce enough or utilize existing insulin. It is the | | | | or juvenile-onset diabetes. Most sufferers of the |
| hormone, insulin that is responsible for flushing out | | | | disease are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which |
| glucose from the cells in the body. When blood | | | | involves the bodys resistance to insulin. Another type |
| glucose levels rise, our health greatly suffers. | | | | of diabetes exists, but only affects 2-5% of pregnant |
| According to the National Diabetes Information | | | | women. It is called gestational diabetes and has the |
| Clearinghouse (NDIC), about 14.6 million individuals in the | | | | potential to harm both mother and child when not |
| U.S. are diagnosed with the disease, while close to 6 | | | | treated. |
| million people are yet to be diagnosed. In a 2005 NDIC | | | | Diabetes Management |
| report, their results included totals regarding diabetes | | | | When accompanied with steady exercise and proper |
| sufferers of all ages, since anyone from the elderly to | | | | medication, healthy eating habits can ease diabetes |
| a toddler may experience diabetes symptoms. | | | | symptoms. Through a balanced diet, filled with a |
| Typically, Type 2 diabetes sufferers are commonly | | | | healthy combination of carbohydrates, protein and fats, |
| diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 50. | | | | proper nutrition can be used as a defense against the |
| Diabetes Symptoms | | | | symptoms connected to diabetes. Acceptable food |
| There are numerous signs that alert an individual that | | | | items include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, |
| they may be suffering from diabetes. Common | | | | beans, 2% milk and lean meats. Fried foods and |
| diabetes symptoms may occur in bulk or a patient | | | | heavily sweetened foods should be avoided when |
| may exhibit only a few. Whatever the case may be, | | | | diagnosed with diabetes. |
| when any of the following diabetes symptoms reveal | | | | Seeking Treatment is Important |
| themselves, patients should contact their physician. | | | | When you suspect that you are exhibiting diabetes |
| Individuals should be on the lookout for: frequent | | | | symptoms, an immediate visit to a doctor is needed. |
| urination, extreme hunger or thirst, blurred vision, sudden | | | | This is because, when diabetes is left untreated, a host |
| weight loss, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, | | | | of debilitating health problems soon follows. Since foot |
| fatigue, excessively dry skin, increase in infections and | | | | problems tend to affect diabetes patients, there are |
| slow-healing wounds. Individuals exhibiting Type 1 | | | | many concerns in this area, including infection, |
| diabetes symptoms include nausea, vomiting and/or | | | | amputation and gangrene. Eye problems are also |
| stomach pains. | | | | common among diabetes sufferers. When left |
| Different Types of Diabetes | | | | untreated, blindness may occur. Additional health issues |
| If the symptoms that you experience turn out to be | | | | associated with untreated diabetes symptoms include |
| the disease, you will be diagnosed as either suffering | | | | heart disease and kidney failure. The disease is so |
| from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes | | | | serious that it is one of the leading causes of death in |
| accounts for 5-10% of diagnosed diabetes cases, | | | | the United States. |