What is Diabetes?

Most of the food that we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, which our bodies then use for energy.  The pancreas is an organ near the stomach that makes a hormone called insulin, which helps glucose get into the body’s cells.  Diabetes is a disease in which the body can’t make or use insulin properly.  In diabetes, glucose can’t get into the cells to be used for energy so it stays in the bloodstream.  The level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood then becomes higher than normal.  High blood glucose levels are dangerous and can easily cause a number of health related problems.

There are two major types of diabetes.  Type 1 diabetes is when the body doesn’t make enough insulin.  Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin.  Type 2 is much more common and can be prevented.  There is evidence that diabetes is genetic, meaning that a child who gets diabetes most likely has at least one parent who already has the disease.  Most people who develop Type 2 diabetes are overweight.  Excess fat and inactivity reduce the body’s ability to respond to insulin.  Increasing activity and losing weight can prevent type 2 diabetes.  Children and teens with diabetes are also more likely to develop other health issues, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  Long-term complications of diabetes include stroke, kidney damage, heart disease, and blindness.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Some symptoms of diabetes are very dry skin, sudden vision changes, unexplained weight loss, sores that are slow to heal, extreme hunger or thirst, and frequent urination.  Stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting may also be symptoms. 

Treatment for Diabetes

It’s best to prevent type 2 diabetes by exercising, healthy eating, and maintaining a healthy weight.  The basic treatment for both types of diabetes is healthy eating and plenty of physical activity.  For people with type 1 diabetes, blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent testing and insulin injections are required.  Some people with type 2 diabetes need pills and occasionally insulin injections.  Healthy eating helps maintain a normal body weight that allows the body to grow and develop.  Smaller portions, eating non-fried foods and avoiding beverages full of sugar are also important.  For help in creating nutritious meals, the food pyramid should be used. Exercise burns calories and increases the body’s response to insulin.  Diabetes is treatable, but requires responsibility and awareness each and every day.

Think you are up for a Challenge? Take the Diabetes Knowledge Challenge.