Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus share the name “diabetes” because they are both conditions characterized by excessive urination (polyuria).

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health disorder. Chronic means that the condition lasts for many years. Diabetes can cause serious health problems. These problems include kidney failure, heart disease, stroke (see stroke entry), and blindness. About fourteen million Americans have diabetes. As many as half of these people do not know they have the condition.

Diabetes Causes : Drugs such as steroids, Dilantin, and others may elevate the blood sugar through a variety of mechanisms. Certain other drugs, such as alloxan, streptozocin, and thiazide diuretics, are toxic to the beta cells of the pancreas and can cause diabetes. Certain syndromes (for example, Prader-Willi, Down’s, Progeria, and Turner’s) may result in a hyperglycemic state; if this state is prolonged, the result can be permanent diabetes.

Pre-diabetes is a condition where people have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Most people who develop type 2 diabetes have pre-diabetes first. Most people who have pre-diabetes are unaware that they have it or that they are at risk of developing diabetes. People with pre-diabetes often develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-Diabetes is also called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is not an autoimmune disease like the type 1. In this type of diabetes mellitus, the body is not attacking itself. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is caused due to malfunctioning of the pancreas, which is incapable of producing the required volume of insulin. The pancreas does produce some insulin, but it is insufficient to meet the total requirements of the body in utilizing glucose.

Diabetes Treatment : The major goal in treating diabetes is to minimize any elevation of blood sugar (glucose) without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes is treated first with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, treatment with insulin is considered.

Adherence to a diabetic diet is an important aspect of controlling elevated blood sugar in patients with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has provided guidelines for a diabetic diet. The ADA diet is a balanced, nutritious diet that is low in fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars. Weight reduction and exercise are important treatments for diabetes. Weight reduction and exercise increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, thus helping to control blood sugar elevations. For more, please read the Weight Loss and Fitness articles.



Thanks to peterhutch for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes

The most common starting symptoms and signs of diabetes mellitus are abrupt body weight reduction caused by the loss of fluids and reduction of weight caused by loss of fat; this is because of the powerlessness of the body to break down carbohydrates. Other starting symptoms and signs of diabetes are passing a huge amount of urine, genital itching, cessation of menstruation in women, increased thirst, disturbances of vision, limb numbness, and a tendency to boils and skin infections.

Moderately lift up blood sugar levels can finally cause kidney failure, damage to eye sight from ruptured blood vessels in the eyes, and restricted blood flow to the limbs, which may show the way to gangrene and subsequent amputation. Diabetes mellitus is also connected to a threat of coronary heart disease that is two to three times higher in men and 4 to 5 times higher in women earlier than the menopause. If starting symptoms and signs of diabetes are not taken in consideration the threat of a stroke get increased 2 to 3 times.

Diabetes mellitus is a huge problem all over the world. This situation could be attributed to the truth that more and more people are obese and overweight. Diabetes mellitus has been linked to obesity and decreasing the threat by losing weight is the primary step to take. Lots of people who are suffering from diabetes do not in fact know they are. This is because the diseased symptoms could be misconstrued as one more, less serious situation. One type of diabetes mellitus is called type-1 diabetes. This situation takes place when the body stops being able to make the amount of insulin it needs to be able to efficiently control the blood sugar levels. The other type of diabetes mellitus is called type-2 diabetes. This is when the body does in fact create insulin, but the body does not use it the way it should. For that reason with both types of diabetes mellitus, the body cannot resourcefully use the insulin to control the blood sugar levels in the body.

Both of these circumstances of diabetes will require medication and treatment to help manage the situation. Type 1 diabetes mellitus requires insulin injections to help maintain the production of insulin in control. Most of the time, type 2 diabetes can be controlled by a good healthy diet and plenty of good work out. However, in some cases, the diabetic patients will need to take insulin injections when they have diabetes type 2. There is not anyone who is not able to get diabetes mellitus either near the beginning on or later on in life. Some of the sufferers are much more likely to begin suffering from diabetes if they are African-American, Asian-Americans or Hispanics.

If people start to experience any of the diabetic symptoms, it is worthwhile visiting a medical doctor to have a diabetes test. The test for diabetes is completely painless and rapid and people will feel better knowing either way. If people become thirsty and feel thirsty all the time, this could be a sign of diabetes. This could be a widespread sign of type 2 diabetes and if people are thirsty all the time later than drinking quite a lot, visit a medical doctor. Also if people suddenly require the toilet all the time for urination, this also could be a sign of diabetes. This could be a sign of diabetes as people are drinking much more than usual because of constantly feeling thirsty.



Thanks to jeniferhobson for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Treatment For Type 1 Diabetes

Juvenile diabetes mellitus is now more commonly called Type 1 diabetes. It is a syndrome with disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood glucose levels due to a deficiency of insulin secretion in the pancreas.

Juvenile Diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. There is also a strong hereditary component to juvenile diabetes. Researchers believe an environmental trigger or virus causes the body to attack the beta cells in the pancreas. Once these cells are destroyed the body can no longer produce insulin.

Diabetes is the primary reason for adult blindness, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), gangrene and amputations. Overweight, lack of exercise, family history and stress increases the likelihood of developing diabetes. When blood sugar level is constantly high it leads to kidney failure, cardiovascular problems and neuropathy. Patients with diabetes are 4 times more likely to have coronary heart disease and stroke. In addition, Gestational diabetes is more dangerous for pregnant women and their fetus.

Rapid weight loss is one of the first symptoms of diabetes, especially if the child also has increased hunger, especially after eating. Other Symptoms include: frequent urination; dry mouth; fatigue; blurred vision and numbness or tingling of the hands or feet.

Juvenile diabetes is a chronic health problem for children. There are many myths and misinformation about diabetes. There is also confusion between juvenile diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. The symptoms for both are for the most part the same, however, the cause and treatment is very different.

Juvenile diabetes can affect anyone of any age, but is more common in people under 30 years and tends to develop in childhood. Other names for juvenile diabetes include Type I diabetes and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Common symptoms of diabetes and, more specifically, on symptoms of juvenile diabetes. Causes of diabetes are discussed, as well as testing and dietary issues.

The risk of juvenile diabetes is higher than virtually all other severe chronic diseases of childhood. Juvenile diabetes tends to run in families. Brothers and sisters of a child with juvenile diabetes have at least 100 times the risk of developing juvenile diabetes as a child in an unaffected family.

The symptoms of juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1 diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes are extremely similar, but the two are caused by very different bodily malfunctions. It is important to know which type the individual is afflicted with in order to provide the right treatment, which also varies between types.

It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Nausea and/or vomiting can be misconstrued as the flu. Irritability, being tired and listless may be attributed to behaviors all children exhibit at one time or another. The discovery of juvenile diabetes may happen during a visit to a physician for another ailment such as a vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.

Juvenile diabetes is the idea that it can be caught from another person. Juvenile diabetes, along with the other types of the disease, is absolutely not a contagious disease. Another misconception about the disease is the traditional belief that eating sweets can directly cause diabetes. In a way, eating too much sweet may eventually cause diabetes because doing so can lead to obesity. But eating sweets does not cause diabetes. Stress is never a cause of juvenile diabetes or any type of diabetes.



Thanks to james sameul for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Early Warning Signs Of Diabetes

Diabetes is considered a serios affection due to its permanent existence, procedures and moreover the complications that involves. Even though many people all over the world suffer from diabetes, the specialists haven t discovered yet the real source of its occurance. It is very important to mention that people who suffer from diabets should ask for medical help as soon as they notice changes in their body and unusual symptoms.

First of all, diabetes occurs when the beta cells in the pancreas which produce insulin are totally destroyed. As we know the food that we eat turns into glucose or sugar helping our body to use for energy. Once there aren’ t beta cells to produce insulin in order to transfer the glucose in the cells, the sugar remains in the blood and because the body cannot use sugar, it is spilled over into the urine and lost. Much more, diabetes can lead to severe health complications, such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindless, lower-extremity amputations and in many cases even death.

Secondly, people who notice certain symptoms which indicate the presence of diabetes should see a physician in order to receive a proper diagnosis. Some of the most common symtoms which indicate the presence of diabetes are: excessive hunger and thirst, frequent urination, dramatic weight loss, lack of energy, dry skin, wounds that heal very hard and even nausea and stomach pains, symptoms which usually occur in type 1 diabetes.

In addition to this, there are two types of diabetes which are quoted from the National Diabetes Fact Sheet: National estimates and general information on diabetes in the United States (Centers for Disease Control an Prevention. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, 1997). Much more, type 1 diabetes tends to be more serios than type 2 diabetes and usually occurs during the childhood.

Type 1 diabetes also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or Juvenile-Onset diabetes, is a common disease in children and may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. The factors which cause type 1 diabetes aren t entirely known but it has been considered that genetic predisposition and enviromental factors, such as viral infections might have an important influence. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. This type of diabetes may appear due to certain factors, such as older age, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, family history of diabetes, physical inactivity, prior history of gestional diabetes and other factors. It has been considered that certain races and ethnicities, such as african americans, american indians, latino americans are more exposed to get type 2 diabetes than other people.

Gestional diabetes seem to occur in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but the good thing is that usually disappears when the woman gives birth. Even though a woman who had suffered of gestional diabetes and healed when the pregnancy was over, might develop type 2 diabetes in the future.

Furthermore, there are other types of diabetes which may account for 1% to 2% of all known cases of diabetes and they occur from genetic syndroms, surgeries, drugs, malnutrition, infections and many other affections.

Medical treatments for diabetes are vital for the body and include important changes in the lifestyle. Diabetes treatments tend to adavance in a short time and their role is to maintain blood glucose near normal levels at all times. For instance, type 1 diabetes, the most severe type requires a wide range of procedures. People who suffer from this type of diabetes need a special treatment which include: administration of insulin injections, home blood glucose testing several times a day, a certain, calculated diet and also planned physical exercises. Even though, type 2 diabets is not so serios like type 1, it also requires a strict treatment which consists in special diets, physical activities, home blood glucose testing, oral medication and 40% of the cases require insulin injections.

The causes of type 1 diabetes are not entirely identified, it is believed that it occurs to genetics predisposition or certain viruses which destroy the beta cells in the pancreas. Some important factors which may develop type 2 diabetes are lack of activity and overweight.

In order to take care of the people who suffer from diabetes, the diabetes community offers, pursued by the US Departament of Health and Human Services offer three options: prevent diabetes, cure diabetes and moreover taking better care of people with diabetes to prevent dramatic complications. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is involved in the research of curing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses through their programmes on being sure that the proven science is put into daily practice for people with diabetes.

All in all, even though diabetes tends to be an incurable illness, the science try to discover and consequently to utilize in practice several methods to cure diabetes, such as pancreas transplantation, artificial pancreas development, islet cell transplantation and genetic manipulation. However, until these approaches become reality they need to pass through a serie of investigations like preventing immune rejection, finding an adequate number of insulin cells, keeping cells alive and many others.

So, if you want to find out more about type 2 diabetes or even about what causes diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/



Thanks to Groshan Fabiola for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

New Treatment For Diabetes