Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease where the body does not properly make or use insulin. Insulin is a substance made in the pancreas that helps the body absorb glucose and gives it to cells to use for energy. Without insulin, your glucose would not be used for energy. This would cause your glucose level to get too high, possibly resulting in a coma. This is why insulin is very important, along with the pancreas, which is the main part of the body that is affected.
types of diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is inherited and you have had it since you were born. In this type of diabetes, your pancreas does not produce insulin at all. It is estimated that 5-10% of people with diabetes have Type 1. Type 2 diabetes is developed later in life. It is where the pancreas make insulin, but does not allow the glucose to be used by cells. It will then make more insulin which will allow the glucose to be used, but causes the pancreas to be overworked. Eventually, due to the overusage, the pancreas will stop producing insulin alltogether. Most people in the US that have diabetes have Type 2. The best treatment for both types is to take an insulin shot daily. Even with the shot, people with diabetes must still watch their food intake. If not, blood sugar could get too high(hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia.)
Long-term complications
There are many long-term complications of diabetes. Some of the parts affected include affected the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels, gums, and feet. These are possible problems people with diabetes have with each listed body part;
Eyes: Cataracts, retinopathy, and glaucoma are problems people with diabetes face. Cataracts is where there is a thickening and clouding of the lens of the eye, retinopathy is changes in the retina that has a possibility of going blind, and glaucoma is where pressure builds up in the eye, which decreases blood flow to the retina and optic nerve.
Kidneys: Kidney disease and dialysis are kidney problems people with diabetes may face. Dialysis is the regular use of a machine to clean the blood as the kidneys normally would. Also, they have to control their blood sugar constantly or they are at risk for kidney disease.
Nerves: People with diabetes are at risk for nerve damage. Common symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, tingling, or sharp pains in the feet or lower legs.
Heart and Blood Vessels: Diabetics are at a great risk for developing heart problems. The most common include heart attack, stroke, and blockage of the vessels in the legs and feet.
Gums: People with diabetes are also more likely to develop gum disease. The main reason are because they have more plaque and less slaiva, high blood sugar levels, loss of collagen, and poor blood circulation.
Feet: One last problem diabetics face are foot problems. This is because they have poor blood flow in the feet and possible nerve damage.
Eyes: Cataracts, retinopathy, and glaucoma are problems people with diabetes face. Cataracts is where there is a thickening and clouding of the lens of the eye, retinopathy is changes in the retina that has a possibility of going blind, and glaucoma is where pressure builds up in the eye, which decreases blood flow to the retina and optic nerve.
Kidneys: Kidney disease and dialysis are kidney problems people with diabetes may face. Dialysis is the regular use of a machine to clean the blood as the kidneys normally would. Also, they have to control their blood sugar constantly or they are at risk for kidney disease.
Nerves: People with diabetes are at risk for nerve damage. Common symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, tingling, or sharp pains in the feet or lower legs.
Heart and Blood Vessels: Diabetics are at a great risk for developing heart problems. The most common include heart attack, stroke, and blockage of the vessels in the legs and feet.
Gums: People with diabetes are also more likely to develop gum disease. The main reason are because they have more plaque and less slaiva, high blood sugar levels, loss of collagen, and poor blood circulation.
Feet: One last problem diabetics face are foot problems. This is because they have poor blood flow in the feet and possible nerve damage.