Facts About Diabetes – The Basics You Need To Know
Unsurprisingly, diabetes is a condition that is on the increase around the world. Interesting facts about diabetes include that statistics show that over 171 million people are affected around the globe; worryingly, statistics in 2007 showed that 23.6 million Americans suffered from this condition. This is a staggering figure and perhaps getting some more facts about diabetes will help us win the fight against it. So the first question is - what is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition which means that the body has problems producing or controlling the production of glucose, which is a type of sugar. The glucose that is produced can clog up the bloodstream and result in a rise in blood sugar levels. Another of the facts about diabetes that is often misleading is that it is not necessarily hereditary and can happen to anyone in any situation.
There are two types of diabetes, namely Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependent diabetes, is where the body stops producing insulin altogether. Insulin is a hormone that is necessary to help use the glucose found in foods. Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes, means that the body still produces insulin but not enough. It can also mean that it is not using the insulin it does produce effectively.
If you think that you may have diabetes some of the warning signs to look for include excessive tiredness, blurry vision, wounds that take a while to heal or fail to heal at all, the frequent need to urinate and an exaggerated need to quench thirst. Upon diagnosis of diabetes you will need to test your blood sugar levels on a daily basis to make sure they do not go too high or too low.
Diabetes testing supply choices are available in abundance. Many diabetes testing items can be purchased from pharmacies and over-the-counter. The exception to this is insulin, which ahs to be prescribed by a doctor. Paraphernalia such as testing strips, glucose monitoring packs, syringes and lancets can be purchased from pharmacies and drugstores, as well as on the internet itself.
Some stores also offer diabetes testing supply options for you. They can conduct initial tests to see if you could be diabetic, or provide you with free testing kits if you meet certain criteria. They will always advise you to visit your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition.
Is there ultimately a way of stopping diabetes from developing? It is stated that an adjustment in lifestyle such as exercising more and eating the correct foods will help prevent or stop the onset of Type 2 diabetes at least.
If you want to find out more facts about diabetes, a simple search on the internet will produce piles of useful information. Remember that diabetes in any form is a serious condition and is not to be treated with indifference. Diabetes means that you may be affected for the rest of your life and have to monitor your blood sugar levels incessantly.