Facts You Need To Know About Diabetes

By Cole Mosinard

Symptoms Of Diabetes

The number of people with diabetes, specifically Type II Diabetes, is growing globally. In fact, as stated in a report by the WHO released last August 2011, there are roughly 346 million people across the globe who have diabetes. There is a very good reason to be worried about this pattern because together with this is a rise in the number of deaths due to diabetes. In 2004, around 3.4 million people perished from effects of diabetes and the WHO believes that taking into account the present rate at which diabetes deaths are increasing, this number will increase by 100% between 2005 and 2030.

Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic illness which occurs either because the pancreas is not able to yield adequate insulin as in the case of Type I diabetes or if the body cannot properly use the available insulin like in the case of type 2 diabetes. Hyperglycemia while carrying a child is also likely, in such case, it is referred to as gestational diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes There are three main diabetes symptoms, and these are, frequent hunger pangs, abnormally frequent and large passage of urine which also leads to the third symptom: excessive thirst. Those with diabetes are also likely to experience rapid weight loss, fatigue, lesions that don't heal as well or as quickly, vision changes, and dry and itchy skin. In some instances, diabetes sufferers also report headaches, pins and needles sensation in the limbs and also increased burden of infections.

Effects of diabetes Diabetes elevates your risk for heart disease and cerebrovascular accident. Also, the diminished blood circulation, neuropathy, and wounds that take time to heal in the lower limbs raises the likelihood of foot ulcers and probable amputation. Loss of vision as a result of retinopathy is also quite prevalent for poorly treated diabetes. This disease of affluence impacts all major organs in your body, most of all the kidneys. In essence, diabetes decreases the length and quality of one's life.

Prevention Some lifestyle changes are recognized to reduce the chance of getting diabetes. You should keep a healthy weight by increasing physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Experts suggest investing at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate intensity activity five days a week, and devote more hours if you wish to lose weight. It's also advisable to comply with a diet with decreased sugar and saturated fat intake.

How diabetes is diagnosed and treated

The earlier it is that diabetes is discovered, the better. Diagnosis can be accomplished through blood testing, which is inexpensive. Treating diabetes would entail changes in lifestyle, hypoglycemics which are taken by mouth, and in certain cases, regular insulin injections. Periodic checkup is also essential to keep an eye on the progress of diabetes complications such as retinopathy.

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