Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is one of the most rampant health problems in the world. Even the seemingly healthy person can be hit by this disease. And if left uncheck, it could actually be a cause of death. But how does one acquire diabetes?

Actually diabetes is a disordered metabolism syndrome, which is caused by either hereditary or environmental factors (in some cases, it is a combination of both). This would result to an irregularity in blood sugar levels causing hyperglycemia. Normally, our body regulates and controls the sugar level in our blood using a complex interaction of a number of chemicals and hormones in the body, especially the hormone insulin which is produced in the pancreas. The high glucose levels in our blood may be caused by the defects in insulin secretion or insulin action.

Medical studies show that Type 1 diabetes mellitus (also known as ‘juvenile diabetes’ since it represents a big number of diabetes cases among children) occurs as your body loses insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. Eventually, this loss would lead to a deficiency of insulin inside our body. As of the moment, there are no known cures or preventive measures for type 1 diabetes. But for the early stages, replacement of insulin coupled with careful monitoring of blood sugar levels (with the use of blood testing monitors) serve as principal treatment. Perhaps the best prevention method for type 1 diabetes mellitus is lifestyle adjustments (having proper diet and regular exercise). Once the disease spreads, however, diet and exercise can no longer reverse the disease’s progress. For this reason, a diabetes screening is of utmost importance, especially for people who have several risk factors like obesity, family history of diabetes, and high risk ethnicity.Testing varies depending on your location. It may include blood glucose test, fasting blood glucose test, and the more formal glucose tolerance test. Some medical conditions are said to have been caused, or at least associated, with diabetes. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, polycystic ovary syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, coronary artery disease, cystic fibrosis, among other medical conditions.
The people who are pre-diagnosed with diabetes should undergo regular routine tests for complications. Treatments like insulin intake (which could be from subcutaneous injections to insulin pumps) must be continued indefinitely. Sufficient patient training, awareness, proper diabetes care and discipline are all important. If treatments prove to be burdensome for patients, insulin supplement may be done in a non-physiological manner.

The goal is to bring down the glucose levels as safely as possible closer to the normal levels (which is 80-120mg/dl). Patients with blood glucose levels as high as 600 mg/dl or above should be given immediate medical attention (these levels are still not life-threatening, although they are usually accompanied by discomfort and frequent urination that could lead to dehydration). At a certain point, blood levels may drop to an unhealthy level which could lead to hypoglycemia. Patients experiencing hypoglycemia may experience episodes of unconsciousness or seizures and must be treated right away.

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To properly combat the problem, one should be equipped with the right facts on diabetes. Basically, it is a disease that occurs when the body fails to produce or used properly glucose. When glucose go back to the blood stream, it will trigger sugar level to rise thus this is where the whole problem occurs. There are actually two major types of this, Type 1 diabetes which is also known as the juvenile onset diabetes is a condition where the body take a rest from creating insulin which is a kind of hormone that make use of glucose that is usually found on foods. People suffering from this would normally inject insulin into their body to go on the normal affairs of their life. By large, Type 1 is seen on children and young adults although it can take place at any age.

The Type 2 diabetes which is also referred as the adult onset or non-insulin dependent stage is the condition which is characterized when the body does not produce the right amount of insulin or when the body fails to use insulin the right way. This is more common among people ages 40 and up, people with family history of diabetes, and overweight individual.

Knowing facts on diabetes also include detecting early symptoms of the problem such as excessive thirst, weight loss, frequent urination; blurry vision; tingling or numbness in the hands or feet; increased hunger; recurrent skin, bladder or gum infections; irritability, wounds that don’t heal, and extreme baffling fatigue. There is also some case when there is no symptom of the problem that is seen, this is common especially on Type 2 diabetes. This is more frightening since they can live on their life for month and even years without knowing that their life is already in great danger.

Diabetes can take its toil to anyone particularly those who have a close relative who already suffered from the problem. Other factor that could lead to diabetes includes obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and physical indolence. As one grows older, the risk is highly increased. Studies show that those who fall under the age of 40 and overweight are given a higher chance of developing the problem. Moreover, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans are more likely to develop diabetes compared to other races. Even pregnant women are not safe, there is a condition known as gestational diabetes which will end up into full-blown diabetes later on.

There something common on people who possess diabetes, which is the fact that they need to be healthy as much as possible and perform the needed exercise at least 3x a week. Doctors will have to create a meal plan in order to determine foods and nutrients that enter the mouth. Medication should as well be given without delay, doctors may prescribe insulin injection which is extremely important during ‘attacks’ so a diabetic should know how to use them. There are seminars that will teach patients on how to react during attack; it is advisable if a diabetic could enroll on such.

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