Diabetes - Prevention is Better Than Cure

By >> Juliet Buckley

Diabetes mellitus commonly called diabetes is a health condition which occurs when the blood sugar (glucose) level in the body rises and the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin to balance the sugar level or the body does not use the insulin produced to balance the sugar level in the body. Without this proper balancing diabetes and a number of related complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness, high blood pressure, kidney failure, to name a few, may occur.

According to the World Health Organization at least 171 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes in 2000 and this number is expected to almost double by 2030. The continents anticipated to be greatly affected are Asia and Africa. Diabetes is also one of the leading causes of death in the US, with an estimated 24 million people living with this condition in 2008. Frightening, do you think?

Type 1 Diabetes referred to as insulin-dependent, occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin because there is damage done to the pancreas and insulin has to be injected into the body. The insulin regulates the glucose absorbed by the cells. If there is none or not enough insulin, the glucose will not be properly regulated. It will remain in the blood and does not get to the cells to provide the body with energy; the feeling of lethargy will occur. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent thirst, urination and slow healing of wounds.

Type 2 Diabetes referred to as non-insulin dependent, occurs when the body produces insulin but is unable to appropriately use the insulin in the body. The large consumption of starch, sugar, fat; not exercising; obesity, causes type 2 diabetes.