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Diabetes Information

By Lambert Klein

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 22Nov2007 Word count: 598 Viewed: 620 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Diabetes is a disease that develops when the pancreas stops making insulin. The body uses insulin to let glucose flow into the cells, where it is used for energy or stored for later. If the glucose, or sugar, does not move into the cells, the sugar in the blood becomes too high and the cells do not work properly. High blood sugar harms the blood vessels and nerves causing problems with the eyes, heart, feet, and kidneys.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the pancreas stops producing insulin. It can occur at any age but typically appears in children and young adults under age 30. That is why Type 1 is often call Juvenile diabetes. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly and often first appear after an illness, such as the flu. These early symptoms are often overlooked. Typically, they include the following:

- Frequent urination.
- Extreme thirst.
- Increased appetite.
- Sudden unexplained weight loss.

As the blood sugar levels increase, more obvious symptoms begin to occur. These include:

- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
- Fast and shallow breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain; and possibly vomiting.

Early treatment and maintain proper blood sugar levels may keep the disease from becoming worse. If not, there may be complications from the disease. These would include the following:

- Chest pain or shortness of breath when you exercise
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- A racing heartbeat.
- Poor circulation in the legs and feet
- Eye disease or pain in the eyes.
- Kidney disease may cause swelling in the feet and legs, and high blood pressure.

Nerve disease that tingling, numbness, tightness, burning, or shooting or stabbing pain in the feet, hands, or other parts of your body, especially at night. An infection in the foot can spread up through leg and into the bones. In that case, the affected limb may have to be amputated.

In Type 2 diabetes blood sugar levels rise very slowly. Often the patient does not have any symptoms and may have the disease for many years without knowing it.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. People diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are usually overweight or not physically active. It is most often diagnosed in people over 40 but is becoming more common in children. That is why Type 2 diabetes is often called adult-onset diabetes.

Type 2 can often be prevented it the person maintains a healthy body weight and exercises regularly. Treatment for diabetes often includes medication; including insulin and focuses on maintain proper levels of blood sugar and cholesterol.

High blood sugar can occur for many reasons. For example, if the patient is not taking their diabetes medicines, not exercising, has been ill or under a lot of stress. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if the patient is taking insulin or a sulfonylurea pills for diabetes. Early symptoms of hypoglycemia include the following:

- Sweating.
- Feeling weak.
- Feeling shaky.
- Feeling very hungry.

These symptoms may appear if there is a large or sudden in blood sugar levels. In that case, it is recommended that the patient eat 1 tablespoon of sugar, ½ cup of orange juice, or another carbohydrate. Wait 15 minutes, and check their blood sugar level.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, be sure to contact your health care provider if you notice any new symptoms, such as chest pain, numbness, or a shooting pain in your hands or feet.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice any new symptoms, such as chest pain, numbness, or a shooting pain in your hands or feet.

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