When you think of diabetes, what is the first thing that comes into your head? It is probably having to prick your finger for blood samples and having to take insulin shots. I must admit that this is the first thing that I think about. When I was diagnosed as being on the cusp (my doctor’s words) of type 2 diabetes, those were the first thoughts that ran through my mind. However, as da old man reminded me, it is only the tip of the iceberg."Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy. After a meal, food is broken down into a sugar called glucose, which is carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Cells use the hormone insulin, made in the pancreas, to help them process blood glucose into energy.
People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. Eventually, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin for the body’s needs.”1 Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be avoided by exercising and changing your diet, but once you become diagnosed with type 1, it is for life.
For those that have type 1, or insulin dependant diabetes, it doesn’t stop with just the insulin injections and the frequent blood tests. Unfortunately, it is much more sinister. For those with type 1 diabetes, they are at an increased risk for heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
For the time being, I have avoided this, but others are not so lucky. If diabetes runs in your family; if you are overweight; if you are over 45; if you have one or more of the warning signs:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
Please see your doctor right away! This is not something that will just go away.
1http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/index.htm
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes.jsp
