Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. A metabolic disorder, diabetes affects the way the body uses digested food for growth and energy. This disorder can be seriously disabling and can lead to fatal complications if treatment is not pursued and sometimes given aggressively. With proper treatment and preventative measures, people with diabetes can live relatively normal and healthy lives in most cases.

About Diabetes

The body breaks most food down into glucose, a form of sugar in the blood that provides the body with the majority of its fuel source. Glucose in the blood is used by cells for growth and energy. However, insulin must be present in the blood for glucose to get into the cells. Insulin, a chemical produced by the pancreas (a large gland located behind the stomach), is thus a key factor in proper digestion and health. Normally after eating the pancreas produces the correct amount of insulin to allow the body to properly process the glucose. But in people with diabetes, little or no insulin ends up being produced by the pancreas, or the cells in the body do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced.

When this occurs, the body will experience a build up of glucose in the bloodstream. The glucose will accumulate and overflow into the body’s urine as it is produced. It will then pass out of the body. When this happens, the body loses the majority of its main fuel source. Even if the blood has such a high amount of glucose, it does no good if the cells cannot absorb it to make energy.

The signs and symptoms of diabetes vary, but if you are experiencing any symptoms, it is advisable to contact your doctor immediately. The different types of diabetes have different onset times, and the symptoms may vary, so it is important to keep abreast of your symptoms and to report them to your healthcare provider. As with most diseases, the earlier treatment for diabetes is sought, the better the eventual outcome may be. Proper treatment and a continuing plan will ensure a better quality of life in a patient diagnosed with the disease.

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