Diabetes

What you need to know about diabetes

Diabetes is a disease characterized by an inordinately high amount of glucose in the blood stream. The general term that encompasses many different kinds of diabetes is diabetes mellitus. This includes the different kinds of diabetes, which are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

It is possible to contract diabetes through dietary practices as well as through genetics. Treatment of diabetes will depend on the type of diabetes that you have. Some, but not all, cases of diabetes can be reversed if caught in the first stages.

Diabetes Symptoms

Symptoms of diabetes are usually pretty easy to detect, especially as the disease progresses and they get more severe. Common symptoms to look for include: increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores and frequent infections. The more of these symptoms you exhibit, the more likely it is you have diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but usually appears during childhood or adolescence rather than later in adulthood. This is the type of diabetes that is genetic and cannot be corrected, only managed.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common and can show up at any time. You can cause yourself type 2 diabetes through poor dietary practices, including consuming too many foods that are high in sugar. The good news here, however, is that you can also reverse this condition.

Gestational diabetes is a particular type of diabetes limited to pregnant women.

Treatment of Diabetes

The most common practice in treating those who have diabetes is instituting a diabetes diet that is low in refined sugars and starches. For those who cannot treat their diabetes through diet alone, insulin injections can help regulate blood sugar to prevent spikes or crashes. This is long-term, usually lifelong, diabetes care.

Even with a proper diet in place, it is generally necessary for diabetics to monitor their blood sugar using a glucose meter and testing strips. These diabetes supplies are available at most pharmacies, but can only be acquired by prescription.