There are 2 types of diabetes, actually 3 if you

include

pre-diabetes, which is now

considered a serious medical condition.

Here is a brief

overview of all 3,

including some general information on diabetes.

 Type 1 diabetes: or insulin dependant (called this

because patients must inject

themselves with insulin daily to control blood

sugar levels),

is where the body is unable

to produce insulin or doesn’t produce enough to

process the glucose in the body.

   Type 2 diabetes: according to the American

Diabetes association, is where either the

beta cells in the pancreas do not produce enough

of the hormone insulin or the target cells

ignore it. Insulin is necessary for the body to

transport and use the glucose. Glucose or

sugar is the basic fuel of the cells in the body

and insulin takes the glucose from the blood

into all the cells in the body. It affects many systems 

in the body and can cause major complications.

   Pre-Diabetes: According to research there are

41 million in the U.S. with pre-diabetes,

and two thirds don’t know it, and some have

no symptoms. Research also shows there

can be some damage to the body, especially

the heart and circulatory system. There could

be a 50%  increase in heart disease and stroke.

Pre, means likely to develop diabetes.

   But there is a lot you can do. Lose 5 to 10 percent

of your body weight by diet and

 walking at least 30 minutes a day/ 5 days a week.

 Symptoms of Diabetes: 

1: Unusual thirst---2: Frequent desire to urinate---3:

Blurred vision---4: Feeling tired most

of the time.

Diabetic Ranges:

Normal : 80-100 mg/dl (4.4-5.5 mmol)

Pre-Diabetic : 101-125 mg/dl (5.6-6.9mmol)

Diabetic: over 126 mg/dl (over 7 mmol)

Complications: Controlling blood sugar

levels is vital. According to the American

Diabetes Association uncontrolled diabetes

is the leading cause of:

1: Cardiovascular disease: increased risk of

heart attack and stroke, coronary heart

disease. (Heart Disease killed ½ million people

last year, many who were diabetic)

2: Kidney Damage: leading to failure,

leading to dialysis.

3: Nerve Damage: the most common complication

of diabetes, Diabetic Neuropathy,

damaging the nerves from the brain to the body.

This can cause unwanted complications

including amputations of the toes feet and legs.

4: Blindness:

5: Gastroparesis: gastroparesis is a

gastrointestinal disorder

where undigested food can

block your digestive tract.