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What Is Diabetes All About? |
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1) Almost 20.8 million people in the United States, that is 7 % of the
total population is feared to be suffering from diabetes.
2) 14.6 million people out of these 20.8 million have been diagnosed with
the disease while 6.2 million are still in the ignorance state.
3) Looking at these stats, age wise, you will find that about 1.5 million
of these people are 20 or above. While 1 in every 400 to 600 below 18
has type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the metabolic disorders (of the
endocrine system). It is related with blood and has many signs and
symptoms such as excessive discharge of urine, persistent thirst and
weakening of eyesight.
Now, let's see how it happens. Most of the
food that we eat is broken down into glucose which is the prime source
of fuel for the body. Glucose passes into the bloodstream just after the
digestion, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. But, for
this process to continue, the presence of insulin is required which is
produced by the pancreas.
It is the insulin that moves glucose
from blood into our cells. But, when the pancreas either produce little
or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin
produced then glucose starts building up in the blood. As a result it
starts overflowing in the urine, thus passing out of the body. Thus, the
body loses its main source of fuel despite the presence of large amounts
of glucose in it's bloodstream.
There are three main types of
diabetes:
1) Type 1 Diabetes
2) Type 2 diabetes
3) Gestational diabetes
The specific causes of diabetes are not yet known but
genetics and obesity are amongst the other additional ones. There are
many ways to diagnose and treat diabetes. For better diagnosis and
treatments, clear understanding of signs and symptoms of diabetes is of
essence.
Diabetes is not contagious. You can
not catch it from other people. At the same time, it is very difficult
to determine whom it may catch hold of. It is nothing short of a
disaster for diabetics, that it is a life-long disease. Even if you
undergo treatment in the form of medication, diet change and exercise,
it is hard to get rid of it. But, proper information and understanding
can help you manage your diabetes well.
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