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Diabetes represents a failure of the body's system of carbohydrate metabolism. When we eat carbohydrates, glucose (blood sugar) is produced and either used immediately or stored for later use. Stored glucose is released into the blood stream whenever we need an added energy boost. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, regulates the level of glucose levels. As a result, about 30% of diabetics need injections of insulin to stay alive.
The category of diabetes has evolved over the centuries as clinical observations and physiological investigations have distinguished among different varieties. The Greek word diabetes means literally" a passer through or "a siphon". The condition was well known in ancient times and recognized by its polyria and thirst often absociated with emaciation. In 1674, Thomas Wills noted the sweet taste of the urine in some cases, making possible the first major sub division of the category into mellitus and insipidus varieties.
Diabetes mellitus is defined as "a disorder of nutrition, in which sugar accumulates in the blood and is execrated in the urine, the daily amount of which is greatly increased. "Acute and chronic forms are mentioned, but it is said located on their upper boy ran nearly 11 times the risk of getting diabetes as people with no weight problem by comparison, generalized obesity made people only three times more likely to get diabetes.
While we may be able to reduce our total body weight, it's hard to tell it how to distribute itself on our framed, just as it is hard to avoid old age. And other uncontrollable factors, such as heredity, play a part in the disease; fortunately, scientists are beginning to uncover a number of ways to manage the disease naturally, if and when it does strike. At any given time, around ten percent of the population anywhere in the world suffers from diabetes. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the world. Each year, in the U.S itself at least 1,80,000 people die as a result of diabetes and its complications.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes in a nutshell can be termed as a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows blood glucose/sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. It is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
How is it caused?
The worst part about diabetes is that there are no set rules and causes for diabetes it is generally believed that genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play key roles. But the truth is that very often the most active health enthusiast might fall prey to diabetes.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes; there are different categories of diabetes usually they are classified as type 1 and type 2 and a type diabetes that affect women, known as gestational diabetes.
Type 1
formerly known as insulin dependent this is an auto immune disease in which the body does not produce any insulin. This type usually begins during childhood or adolescence. People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes account for 5-10 percent of diabetes.
There are two forms of type1. Immune mediated diabetes mellitus results from an auto immune process in which the body's immune diabetes mellitus results from an auto immune process in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Since glucose cannot enter the cells, it builds up in the blood and the body's cells literally starve to death. The second, idiopathic type 1 refers to rare forms of the disease that have no known cause.
Greater risk for type1 diabetes is siblings of people with type 1 diabetes. The main problems faced with type 1 diabetes are hypoglycemia, or low blood sugars which sometimes a reaction of insulin. This occurs when your blood sugar drips too low. This problem can be corrected by eating some sugar (such as 3 glucose tablets, 6 ounces of regular soda, or 5 or 6 lifesavers) hyperglycemia or high blood sugar is another problem that occurs in this category. This occurs when your blood sugar is too high. It can be a sign that diabetes is not well controlled. This can lead to ketoacidosis or diabetic coma.
Type 2
A metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough or properly use, insulin. It is most common form of the disease occurring when the individual reaches mid forties. Type 2, diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 is the most type e diabetes is still not known. What is known is that this type runs in the families. A person can inherit a tendency to get type 2 diabetes. But it usually takes another factor such as obesity to bring on the disease. Those over the age of 45, with a family history of diabetes are prone to this type of diabetes. Also people who are overweight and who do not exercise regularly are more prone.
Gestational diabetes: this type of diabetes develops in 2 percent to 5 percent of all pregnancies but disappears when the pregnancy is over. This type affects 2-5 percent of all pregnancies or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth, unfortunately women who have a baby weighing 9 pounds at birth. Unfortunately women who have had gestational diabetes are increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes.
Other specific types:
some times diabetes is caused due to surgery drugs, malnutrition, infections, or as a result from specific genetic syndromes and other illness
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