Diabetes Information

It’s estimated that diabetes contributed to more than 200,000 deaths in the year of 2000, in the United States. As the numbers continue to rise, so do they amongst children living with diabetes. It’s believed that right now there are more than 150 million people world wide living with diabetes, most don’t even know and the numbers are expected to be greater in the years to come. Everyday, one person is diagnosed nearly every 30 seconds with diabetes.

There are many misconceptions, myths if you will, about the development of diabetes.

� Diabetes is only inherited- False
� Eating too much sugar causes diabetes- False
âÂ?¢ People with diabetes can’t eat sugar- False
� People with diabetes should soak their feet daily- False
� Once medication is started people with diabetes can eat whatever they want- False
âÂ?¢ People can be “borderline” diabetic for years before being diagnosed- False
� Diabetes is contagious- False
� Insulin cures diabetes- False
� Drinking water washes cleanses the body and reduces the risk of diabetes- False

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard some of these and none of them are true. I’ve even heard someone say that people with diabetes always go blind. The fact is, there’s not enough people who know what really causes diabetes or how to treat it. Researchers can’t pinpoint exactly why people have diabetes, more than likely there are a number of contributing factors and researchers are seeing more children with type 2 diabetes than ever before. The bottom line is, parents need to know.

Let’s explore what diabetes is, diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes with two major types that affect most people. These two major types are referred to simply as type1 and type2. It’s estimated that 90-95% of all children under the age of 16 have type 1, which is classified as an autoimmune disease. This means that a body’s immune system is attacking itself, attacking the body’s tissues or organs. Type2 diabetes is usually seen in adults, occurs due to the bodies inability to effectively use the body’s insulin. Insulin helps sugar enter the cells of your body so it can be used for energy and if it can’t be used, it causes the blood sugar in the body to elevate.

If you suspect that you may have diabetes, talk to your doctor about doing some simple tests but here’s a few symptoms associated with diabetes.

� thirst
� increased urination or the feeling that you need to go.
� cuts or sores that take a long time to heal
� headaches (associated with high blood pressure as well)
� numbness or tingling in hands and feet
� decreased levels of energy or extreme tiredness for no apparent reason
� blurred vision
� chest pains

Anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes, shouldn’t take the news lightly because this is a serious, life threatening disease and can be deadly. Recently a group of researchers conducted a study in Boston and the results of that study found that people with diabetes are more sensitive to cardiovascular effects from air pollution. “Previous studies have shown that when air pollution levels are higher, people with diabetes have higher rates of hospitalization and death related to cardiovascular problems,” said NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) Director David Schwartz, M.D.

Diabetes is becoming too common in all around the world, information is available. There are many ways to treat diabetes usually changes in diet and exercise, coupled with medication and advice from your doctor. One common misconceptions about diabetes is that a person lives life taking insulin shots for the rest of their life. Currently there are five different oral medications used for the treatment of diabetes. All five can be used with insulin to maximize control of blood sugar and all help to lower blood glucose levels.

� Sulfonyloreas & Meglatinides- both stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin.
� Biguanides- prevent the liver from producing excess glucose.
� Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors- slows carb absorption in the intestines.
âÂ?¢ Thiazolidinediones- increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

Given the aspects of what each medication does, it’s easy to see the different treatments for diabetes and why. If someone has type 2 diabetes it’s easy to see why a doctor would prescribe a medication to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Most often these classifications of medication are used to treat those with type 2 diabetes.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with diabetes, try to help them or yourself find as much information as possible. Exercise, eat healthy, take medications prescribed by the doctor and try to maintain a healthy weight. When it comes to diabetes, knowledge is power and the stronger you, the better your chances are to live a normal, happy life with diabetes.�¯�¿�½