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Diabetes

Diabetes is a major health problem in the western world with more than 12 million people being affected in the US alone. Diabetes injures and kills indirectly by causing blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Type II diabetes is largely preventable yet 90% of all diabetics have this form of the disease. We eat too much and don't exercise enough and this causes problems with our body's ability to control insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that is released from the pancreas to control the amount of sugar we have in our blood.

The Different Types Of Diabetes

Type I - Juvenile Onset or Insulin Dependent

This type of diabetic, as the name suggests, is dependant on insulin. This comes in the form of injections. A Type I diabetic is usally under 20 years of age when they are diagnosed and they may not necessarily find a family history of the disease.

Type II - Adult Onset or Non-Insulin Dependent

A Type II diabetic is usually over 40 years of age (although many are now getting it in their 20's and 30's), may have had a family history of the disease, and are generally obese or overweight. Although it is sometimes described as non-insulin dependent some diabetics may need to take insulin until their diabetes is under control. A non-insulin dependent diabetic is often better described as insulin resistant as their pancreas usually provides just as much insulin as a non-diabetic, but the diabetic's cells find it hard to absorb the glucose.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

The classic symptoms of diabetes are:

Polyphagia, or frequent hunger. This is caused by the body's inability to absorb glucose very well.
Polyuria, or frequent urination. This is caused by the excess sugar molecules that end up in the kidney. Water follows these molecules increasing urination.
Polydipsia, or frequent thirst. If you are constantly urinating then your body will be dehydrated

Other symptoms include:

Blurred vision
Fatigue
Weight loss
Poor wound healing
Dry or itchy skin
Impotence
Recurrent Infections

Type II Diabetes comes on slowly and often doesn't have any early symptoms. You should have yearly tests if you have any of the following

over 40 and have a family history of diabetes
hypertension (high blood pressure)
high cholesterol
obese or overweight
physical inactivity

Remember, adult onset diabetes is largely preventable so start exercising today. Even 10 minutes per day can make a big difference!