A study from The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse has estimated that 23.6 million Americans, varying in age, have diabetes. Diabetes has been said to be the fastest growing disease in the history of America. What exactly is diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a disease distinguished by continued levels of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the sugar that would be at a high level. High blood glucose levels, also known as hyperglycemia, can lead to many different types of health problems and even death.
In a healthy person glucose enters the bloodstream through the digestive tract becoming available to all cells of the body. Glucose has to get inside the cells, but it cannot just cross the cell membrane on its own. This is where the pancreas comes in. Anytime glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas emits a hormone knows as insulin. This hormone activates pancreatic cells and allows them to take the glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. After glucose is present in the cell, it is used for energy or changed to glycogen or fat and stored in the body. Doing this lowers the blood glucose levels and the pancreas stops emitting insulin until another surge of glucose enters the bloodstream.
There are two types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes. This form usually appears during childhood or pre-adulthood, but it can begin at any age. In type 1 diabetes glucose enters the bloodstream just like it does in a healthy person. The problem is the pancreas. In type 1 diabetes the cells in the pancreas produce too little or no insulin at all because the cells have been destroyed by the immune system. People with type 1 diabetes must inject or infuse insulin themselves. They also must keep an eye on their diet and how much they exercise.
Type 2 diabetes develops slowly in a seemingly healthy individual. It is known to appear after the age of 40, but now it is being diagnosed in teens and even children. In type 2 diabetes, once again, glucose enters the bloodstream just like it would in a healthy person. The problem is the pancreas. The cells in the pancreas do produce enough insulin; it is just that the insulin is pretty much worthless. The good thing with type 2 diabetes is the fact that you can alter your lifestyle factors, like your weight and your diet, to improve blood glucose levels. Exercising a lot and building up muscle improves the secretion of insulin from the pancreas into the cells of the body.
Call your health care provider if you feel like you're at risk for diabetes and make an appointment for a screening. You never know, that phone call could change your life!
For more information on family health and nutrition topics visit http://myfamilyplate.com.
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