Every day, in the United States, more than 2000 new cases of
diabetes are diagnosed. Type II diabetes, the most prevalent
form of diabetes worldwide, often shows few or even no symptoms!
After eating, food is broken down into what is known as glucose,
a sugar carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Using
a hormone known as insulin, made in the pancreas, cells process
glucose into energy.
Because cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin
properly in the body of a person with type II diabetes, they
have problems converting food into energy. Eventually, the
pancreas cannot make enough insulin for the body's needs. The
amount of glucose in the body increases, and the cells are
starved of energy.
This starvation of the cells, paired with the high blood glucose
level can damage nerves and blood vessels. This leads to
complications such as kidney disease, nerve problems, blindness,
and heart ailments.
There are a lot of factors that can help to attribute to
diabetes cases - lifestyle, environment, heredity - and those
who are at risk should be screened regularly to prevent
diabetes. Those that are already diagnosed with diabetes should
aim to keep their glucose level under control.
But how do you know if you have type II diabetes? After all, it
has few symptoms, often no symptoms in some patients. However,
if you notice an increased thirst or hunger, a change in weight,
or blurred vision, getting tested for type II diabetes is
necessary, as only your doctor will be able to help you find the
treatment steps necessary to being able to manage your life with
diabetes.
Simple changes such as eating right, managing your weight, and
keeping your blood sugar level under control may be enough.
However, you doctor may prescribe diabetes-regulating
medications to assist you in controlling your type II diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious ailment with extreme consequences if it
isn't treated properly. But if you follow your doctor's advice
and maintain both your lifestyle and blood sugar levels, you can
help to prevent the more serious consequences from occurring.
This article is for information purposes only and is not meant
to treat, diagnose or prevent any ailment or disease. See your
physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.
About the author:
Amanda Baker writes for
http://tobeinformed.com - a website for
health, fitness and wellness information.