Introduction toDiabetes
Nowadays, it is common to hear that someone in your relatives, friends, acquaintances or your neighbors have diabetes. Diabetes is a lifetime disease with no cure. It can only be controlled. It is estimated that 7.8 per cent of the population of United States, about 23.6 million people, have diabetes. Where 17.9 million people have gone under diabetes diagnosis where 5.7 million remained unchecked. For additional statistics, see the National Diabetes Statistics, 2007 fact sheet online at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics or call the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) at 1–800–860–8747 to request a copy.
The condition when the level of glucose or sugar in blood is too high is called diabetes. The hormone that sends sugar into cells to provide them with energy is called insulin. There are two types of diabetes: body’s natural ability to make insulin is affected in type 1 diabetes where body cannot produce insulin; and the type 2 diabetes the body is not able to properly utilize the insulin. The second type is more commonly diagnosed. The absence of insulin or its deficiency leaves sugar or glucose in the blood as the cells cannot absorb and utilized it.
The excessive amount of glucose can cause severe damages with the passage of time. One’s heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes can be affected. The worst part of diabetes is the fact that it can be a reason of stroke and heart diseases, in certain cases limb is removed to cure the patient. Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes that can attack pregnant women.
Now let us explore diabetes at length. It is a metabolism disorder. The disorder in body’s natural functioning by the virtue of which it digests food for energy and growth. The food we eat is broken down to glucose. Glucose is the form of sugar that is present in blood. It is the prime source of energy in the body. Glucose gets into the bloodstream once it is digested where cells (the smallest particle in the body) makes use of it. A large gland behind the stomach is responsible for producing insulin that ensures the absorption of glucose in cells. As one starts to eat the pancreas starts to produce insulin so the energy can be utilized. In case of diabetes, the sugar builds in the blood, and leaves body in shape of urine. The body thus remains deprived of its prime source of energy however the major part of sugar remains in the blood.
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