Article Advise

submitted: Aug 27th 2008 | by: JuliaHanf | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 443 | |

All forms of diabetes are characterized by a long-term excess of blood glucose, but the condition is no longer the deadly threat it used to be. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, doctors did not understand how to treat diabetes and most patients eventually died from the disease. Too much glucose has numerous ill effects on the body, including declining kidney function and slow wound healing as well as the possibility of a coma. Fortunately, monitoring and managing diabetes is now simpler than ever.

Diabetes occurs from either the body's ineffective use of insulin or its failure to produce sufficient insulin. Type 1 diabetes results from the pancreas' islet cells failing to produce sufficient insulin to permit blood glucose to enter the cells and be used as energy. Type 2 diabetes is termed insulin-resistant diabetes, since cellular resistance to insulin's action allows excess glucose to stay in the blood.

Although the causes of different types of diabetes are not fully understood, most scientists believe a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors contribute to its development. One factor or the other sometimes dominates. For instance, around 3% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes at about 24 to 28 weeks along. Gestational diabetes disappears after delivery. However, Type 1 is primarily genetic and affects mainly children and young people.

Excessive thirst and frequent urination accompany all forms of diabetes. Some patients experience stomach cramps or dizziness. Since these symptoms can indicate a number of diseases, anyone experiencing them should have a doctor's examination.

Those tests are simple and relatively painless, only requiring a small blood sample. Blood glucose level is measured, with normal running around 99 mg/dL, while diabetics have a level of 126 mg/dL or above. It may require more than one test to confirm the disease.

If a diagnosis of diabetes is made, the patient must begin routine blood glucose monitoring. New devices make this simple and nearly painless. Blood is taken by a tiny prick of the finger and put on testing strip, which is then read by a small device. The blood glucose level is accurately determined by these devices. A newer instrument which reads the blood glucose level through the skin, without a blood sample, has also been successful.

Though diabetes is still a serious disease, diabetes management is easier today than ever before. Most people with diabetes can ward off serious complications through a proper treatment routine. Diabetes is no longer the disabling problem it was in the past; now diabetics can enjoy the same long, active lives that everyone else does.

About the Author

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

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