Diabetes Information

How Do You Know If You Have Diabetes?


Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by the inability of the body to either produce or respond to insulin making it impossible to maintain proper levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The extra glucose is excreted in the urine and because of the high level of glucose more water is flushed through. The diabetic experiences excessive urination and thirst.

The term Diabetes mellitus literally explains these symptoms: The Greek term diabainein, means "to pass through" (referring to the excessive urination) and mellitus comes from the Latin "sweetened with honey" (referring to the excessive presence of sugar).

There are basically two major types of diabetes: Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent).

Type 1 (formerly known juvenile-onset diabetes, because it is diagnosed in children or young adults) is caused by both genetic and environmental causes. In this case, the person's immune system produces antibodies that destroy the cells that produce insulin. Because the body can't produce insulin on its own, daily insulin injections are required.

Type 2 (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, because it normally appears in people aged over 40) is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of cases. Genetic factors play a major role in the development of Type 2, but obesity is also a major factor. A typical Western lifestyle means a diet that is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and a minimal exercise plan and these habits are strong risk factors. Interestingly, people who do not live in Westernized areas do not tend to get Type 2 diabetes, regardless of their family history.

A third type of diabetes, known as Gestational Diabetes, affects women who have high blood-sugar levels during pregnancy. This should be monitored as it can adversely affect the baby. There is also a high probably that women who experience gestational diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes at a later stage.

Diabetes symptoms to watch out for include; frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) website is an informative starting point for all. Visit the site today and take the Online Diabetes Risk Test, which can help you determine if you are at risk of developing diabetes. If you are deemed at risk and are experiencing one or more of the above mentioned symptoms you should see your doctor immediately.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes the ADA website has informative articles the disease, plus lots of suggestions on lifestyle and diet changes for those diagnosed with diabetes. A quick Internet search for "Diabetes Supply" will also bring up various sites offering products suitable for those living with diabetes.

There's nothing at all to be scared of. There's lots of help and advice available literally at your fingertips.

Dean Erickson. Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.diabetes-top-resources.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.


MORE RESOURCES:

CBC.ca

Jets Owner's Daughter Died of a Complication of Diabetes
New York Times
By AP LOS ANGELES (AP) — Casey Johnson, a daughter of the Jets' owner, Woody Johnson, died of a complication of diabetes, the Los Angeles County coroner ...
Casey Johnson died of diabetes-related condition, LA County coroner saysLos Angeles Times
Casey Johnson Died from Diabetes-Related Condition, Coroner SaysSeattle Post Intelligencer
Coroner: Casey Johnson's death diabetes relatedNewsday (subscription)
msnbc.com -The Star-Ledger - NJ.com -RTT News
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The Herald

“Shocking” numbers of children with diabetes in A&E
WebMD.Boots.com
The figures have been compiled by the health charity, Diabetes UK. It says the condition, known as diabetic ketoacidosis, occurs when the body's cells are ...
Weighing up diabetes riskIrish Times
Diabetes scare as three kids taken to A&E each weekBelfast Telegraph
Get Serious on diabetesDerry Today
Diabetes.co.uk -BBC News -HULIQ
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Avandia Heart Attack Risk Twice as High as Other Diabetes Drugs: Study
AboutLawsuits.com
The results of a new study indicate that side effects of Avandia may double the risk of heart attacks when compared to other diabetes drugs. ...
Avandia Information and Support Center Announces Launch of Avandia-Injury ...PR Web (press release)

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XOMA Initiates Phase 2b Dose-Ranging Clinical Trial of XOMA 052 in Type 2 ...
MarketWatch
Type 2 diabetes patients enrolled in the trial will be on stable metformin therapy and will receive monthly treatment for six months with one of four doses ...

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Where You Live, Not Just Lifestyle, May Contribute To Diabetes
WBUR
BOSTON — A new study finds that black women in poor neighborhoods are at higher risk for diabetes regardless of how well-educated they are ...
Prosperity and type 2 diabetes risk linkedDiabetes.co.uk
Researchers Find Link Between Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status And Diabetes RiskHealthcanal.com

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Marion Regional Healthcare System sponsoring diabetes programs
South Carolina Now
Each year in the United States approximately 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people 20 years or older, bringing the ...

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CBC.ca

Insulin Study Could Lead to New Dosage Devices
New York Times
The results of a new study on managing juvenile diabetes may give hope to millions of parents in this country and abroad who typically ...
Oprah Winfrey takes on a killer: type 2 diabetesUSA Today
Walgreen's free diabetes testing starts FridayChicago Tribune
Artificial pancreas tested in kids with diabetesCBC.ca
ABC News -dBTechno -Chicago Sun-Times
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BBC News

More young diabetics in Wales need sight-saving action
BBC News
Surgeons in Wales are having to give sight-saving treatment to patients in their late teens and 20s struggling to control their diabetes. ...
Diabetic Retinopathy on the Rise in WalesA Sweet Life (blog)

all 3 news articles »


Pravda

Cardiologist's advice about No. 1 killer of women
MiamiHerald.com
Exercise can decrease your risk for breast cancer, treat depression, prevent heart attacks and strokes, control blood pressure, prevent adult-onset diabetes ...
Conference Board says new heart health strategy could save billions of dollarsThe Canadian Press
Heart Disease in WomenSan Angelo Standard Times
Life, death are matters of the heart in AlabamaClanton Advertiser

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NDTV.com

Protect yourself from diabetes
Jamaica Gleaner
Diabetes is probably the most expensive disease in the world. According to the National Diabetes Economic Barometer study, undiagnosed diabetes and diabetes ...
Keeping Diabetes at Bay and Under ControlTopNews New Zealand
LAB TEST MAKES CHECKING FORNorth American Press Syndicate
'Artificial pancreas' for diabeticsNDTV.com

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