Diabetes is One of the Leading Causes of Death and Disability

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of death in the U.S.,and experts estimate that the disease costs the American economy $132 billion a year.Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease, accounting for about 44 percent of new cases.Diabetes is also the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20 to 74.Diabetes is a global problem with devastating human,social and economic impact.Today more than 250 million people worldwide are living with diabetes.
Diabetes is diagnosed if blood glucose levels rise to 200 mg/dL or higher.Diabetes happens when someone's body does not have enough insulin.Our bodies need fuel to give them the energy to keep working.Insulin is produced by the pancreas,a small organ between the stomach and liver.The pancreas secretes other important enzymes that help to digest food.Insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the body's cells where it can be turned into energy.When the body does not make enough insulin or does not respond to it,glucose cannot get into cells and instead stays in the blood.
Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves and decrease the body's ability to fight infection.You may not notice a foot injury until an infection develops.Diabetes increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.High glucose levels can affect the artery walls,encouraging fatty deposits(atheroma) to develop.Diabetes may cause nerve damage in your hands,legs and feet,or eyes.In some cases,diabetes can cause blindness or lead to amputation.Diabetes treatment is based on the severity of the disease.
There are two types of diabetes:Type 1 and Type 2.Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. Many patients are diagnosed when they are older than age 20.Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 and makes up 90% or more of all cases of diabetes.It usually occurs in adulthood.Type 2 diabetes results from the body's failure to properly use insulin, combined with a shortage of insulin production.There are also other forms,such as gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy,as well as a few others.
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that happens for the first time when a woman is pregnant.Gestational diabetes goes away when you have your baby,but it does increase your risk for having diabetes later.Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with risks to the mother and to the developing fetus. Miscarriage,pre-eclampsia and preterm labour are more common in women with pre-existing diabetes.Diabetes in pregnancy increases concentrations of leptin in cord blood,which correlate with increased fetal fat mass.Babies may also inherit the gene for diabetes,thus having a higher risk of becoming obese and developing diabetes in later life.
A person's major life activities can be disrupted substantially by diabetes in one way or another.Also, when we try to deal with diabetes,costly medication is always with it.In some cases routine oral medications or injection may be required.Treatment for diabetes varies based on a number of factors, including weight,age and any complications the patient is experiencing.Take maintenance medicine if necessary even when you feel good and get routine check up to avoid problems.
With diabetes,lifestyle change is required.Start by eating healthy foods,including physical activity in your daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight. You have to be well aware of the foods you eat and have quality time to have physical activities that will strengthen your immune system in order for you to have a better health condition.