Diabetes facts and figures
Diabetes is an insulin disorder that impairs the body’s sugar metabo
Jan 29, 2007
Sugar Diabetes( Diabetis Mellitus) is the most common glandular condition in North America. Patients with Diabetes are candidates for an above-average risk of developing heart disease and stroke, which is the leading cause of death both in Canada and USA. There are also another 10 -15 million people that have yet to be diagnosed.
Diabetes is an insulin disorder that impairs the body’s sugar metabolism. The hormone insulin is responsible for absorbing sugar into our cells for energy and stores it in the liver and fat cells until needed.
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 – Is where the insulin producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed, but with the help of regular insulin, the patient may lead a normal life, without it the patient may lapse into a coma or die.
Type 2 – Is where the pancreatic production of insulin is reduced or the body gradually loses its ability to utilize it. This is the most common form of diabetes and is usually thought to be caused by bad eating habits, poor lifestyles and obesity. 80%-90% of diabetics are overweight or obese.
Symptoms of Diabetes:
Fatigue, reduction of energy levels, vision problems, constant thirst, muscle weakness, atherosclerosis, kidney failure, frequent urination, cystitis, candidiasis (fungus infections), tingling and numbness in hands and feet, foot infections, and high blood pressure are all symptoms of diabetes and should be checked if one or more are present.
If sugar levels are not regulated they can cause symptomatic problems and complications with the eyes, muscles, kidneys and bladder and cardiovascular plaque build-up.
The Diabetic’s Immune System – can be easily compromised and diabetics are prone to many more infections than other people. Their immune systems can easily be overwhelmed by fungal infections of the skin as well as bloodstream and are also more susceptible to bacterial infections whose consequences can be serious.
Most serious illnesses and deaths of diabetics are due to circulatory damage from heart disease, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, stroke, renal failure, neuropathy, blindness and other effects of poor blood circulation. Major cause of blindness in a diabetic is caused through cataracts and glaucoma.
The risks are very real and it is very important to not only listen to your doctors and medical team, but also your own body. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.
For more information: www.diabetes.ca, www.diabetes.org, www.heartandstroke.ca
(For Type 1 diabetes) www.insulinefree.org (for juvenile diabetes.) www.jdf.org, & www.jdfcure.org
