elbertinafazia's Space http://elbertinafazia.posterous.com Most recent posts at elbertinafazia's Space posterous.com Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:29:42 -0800 Diabetes Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention http://elbertinafazia.posterous.com/diabetes-causes-symptoms-treatment-and-preven http://elbertinafazia.posterous.com/diabetes-causes-symptoms-treatment-and-preven

Diabetes is a disease that has an effect on how the body utilizes glucose, a type of sugar, which is our major source of fuel. We get glucose from the food we consume and when it gets into our bloodstream, our pancreas produces a hormone known as insulin that assists the sugar to get inside our cells for use as energy. But, if one has diabetes, the body either cannot produce enough insulin, which is the cause of type 1 diabetes, or the insulin no longer functions in the body as it should, which characterizes type 2 diabetes. In any case, the glucose is not able to enter the cells normally, and thus the level of sugar in the blood goes up, which leads to several symptoms.

Causes of diabetes

The cause of diabetes depends on the variant. Type 1 diabetes, for example is hereditary, and then activated by certain infections, like Coxsackie virus. The mechanism is not entirely clear, but it is believed that after the infection, the bodys own immune system destroys the cells where insulin is manufactured. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is caused largely by lifestyle and hereditary factors.

Certain health conditions and medications can also bring about diabetes. Exocrine pancreatic disorders and use of glucocorticoids, for example, can lead to diabetes.

Diabetes symptoms

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients can experience the same symptoms. Excessive urination, excessive thirst, and excessive hunger are the three basic symptoms of diabetes. Weight loss is also possible. Sustained high blood glucose can also cause microvascular changes that can result in blurring of vision and prolonged wound healing. Symptoms may develop drastically for type 1 diabetes patients, while they typically develop slowly among type 2 diabetic patients. To know more about treatment of diabetes, follow this link.

Treatment of diabetes

Sad to say, there is no cure for diabetes. But, it can be managed to lessen its effects in your life. Treatment will involve insulin injections, oral hypoglycemics, lifestyle modification, and periodic checkups. Without proper treatment, complications such as loss of vision, amputation, and multiple organ damage are possible.

Prevention of diabetes

For type 1 diabetes, the answer is, sad to say, no. For type 2 diabetes on the other hand, being a disease of affluence, can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight. This will involve observing a healthy diet, like decreasing intake of simple carbohydrates, and ensuring that you get enough exercise. Staying away from vices including smoking and drinking are also essential since these activities can accelerate the development of of complications.

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