Thursday, December 25, 2014

What is diabetes? |

Diabetes is a chronic health condition where a person's body produces little or no insulin, an important hormone the body uses to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. When we eat and drink, the foods we take in are broken down and used by the body. Most foods contain some amount of sugar, and this passes into the bloodstream as a source of energy. Unfortunately, too much sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia) or too...

Diabetes is a chronic health condition where a person's body produces little or no insulin, an important hormone the body uses to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. When we eat and drink, the foods we take in are broken down and used by the body. Most foods contain some amount of sugar, and this passes into the bloodstream as a source of energy. Unfortunately, too much sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia) or too little (hypoglycemia) can have negative symptoms and long-term effects on health. 


Insulin is produced in the pancreas and works with sugars in the blood stream so that they may be more readily used by cells as a source of energy. If someone doesn't produce enough insulin, the sugar is unable to pass into cells and is filtered out like metabolic waste. Because this sugar isn't being utilized by the cells as a source of energy, many people with diabetes suffer from fatigue.


Fortunately, there is treatment for diabetes. People may inject themselves with an insulin solution to help keep their blood levels in check. People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin in their bodies, so they rely on insulin injections to stay well. People with Type 2 (or diet-induced) diabetes may produce insulin but not respond to it in the way most bodies do. People with Type 2 diabetes may be encouraged by their physician to try making changes in their diet and exercise habits to help re-train the body to respond to naturally-occurring insulin. However, the longer a person has Type 2 diabetes, the more likely it is that they will require injections.

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