November 2010 has been designated as National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It is the number one cause of heart failure, kidney disease and kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and strokes. It will also result in gum disease because an increase of sugar in the blood stream decreases the ability to fight germs. In America 7.8% of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes which means that nearly 24 million people are in treatment for the disease.
Type I diabetes most often occurs in children who require a lifetime of hypoglycemic therapy or insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starch, and other food into a source of energy for the body. It assists sugar in leaving the blood stream and getting into the cells. If there is not enough insulin in the body,or if the insulin does not work to penetrate the cells, there will be too much sugar in the blood stream.
High sugar in the blood stream harms blood vessels and promotes infection hence all of the disorders related to vital organs that were stated above.
Type ii diabetes is a metabolic disorder as opposed to an endocrine disorder as is the case with Type I diabetes. In Type II diabetes high blood glucose level exist along with insulin resistance on the part of the tissue cells and some insulin deficiency. There is definitely a link between obesity and Type ii diabetes. Initial treatment for this diagnosis is very often nothing more than exercise and dietary modification. There are a growing number of children developing Type ii diabetes just as there is a growing number of adults. One out of ten American adults have already been diagnosed with diabetes as this year 2010 ends. In the next four decades the number of people challenged by diabetes will double or triple.
This year Bret Michaels and Bill jean King have acted as spokes people for the November outreach. If you visit www.stopdiabetes.comyou will find the testimonies of many who are striving against and coping with Types I and II and also gestational diabetes. One out of three babies born today will develop some form of diabetes.
Diabetic Educators are telling people that they should ask their medical providers about the A1C test. This test determines your average blood sugar levels over a period of 2 to 3 months. Many doctors recheck this test finding four times a year.
People with a Type I diabetes diagnoses are often asked to test themselves for an excess of ketones. When the body is breaking down ketones it means that there is not enough sugar available for normal body functions. The sugar of a diabetic may not be available for energy because there is not enough insulin. Doctors order hypoglycemic drugs based on objective tests determining control of diabetic symptoms.
Diabetics should check their blood sugar as often as their doctors orders them to do so, and whenever they develop symptoms of hypoglycemia (too little glucose in the bloodstream). The symptoms of too little blood sugar are shakiness, dizziness, sweating, hunger, headache, pale, moodiness, clumsiness, and tingling around the mouth and lips.
Symptoms of too much glucose or sugar in the blood include fruity breath, a dry mouth, symptoms of sickness like a cold or flu, abdominal pain, and confusion.
The American Diabetes Association has many facts sheets and testimonials online. With more awareness about symptoms and control of symptoms, Americans can live longer and healthier lives. Research is producing more accurate and less time consuming delivery systems for treatment every day. Get yourself checked out! Get your kids checked out!
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