What Is Diabetes and How Can It Be Prevented?

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes, formally known as diabetes mellitus, is becoming an issue mainly in the United States and in other countries as well. Diabetes is classified when the body can not make enough or use any of the insulin produced. It is also classed as a disorder through metabolism, or the way our bodies utilize the digested foods for growth and energy. Most of the foods we consume are broken down into a form of sugar in the blood, called glucose. During the digestion of our foods, the glucose gets into our bloodstreams. Glucose is key in our energy and growth but can not enter our cells without the help of insulin. Insulin is the key factor in the diagnostics of diabetes.

How many types of diabetes are there?

Aside from the small diagnostics of prediabetes and such, there are three main types. Those types are: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes. These three are the types most talked about and most diagnosed. The first, Type 1, is caused because the body is not producing enough insulin to aid in the movement of glucose. Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed usually between the teenage years and about 40. It is still originally diagnosed after age 40, but is not commonly seen. Even though this is diagnosed often, it only accounts for 10% of all diabetes cases. These patients have to take insulin injections for the rest of their lives to prevent a more severe case. These people also have to follow a special diet and regular blood tests to make sure their blood-glucose levels are at proper levels.

The next form of diabetes is the type 2 diabetes, which is caused by the body’s inability to produce enough insulin or proper function. This form of diabetes makes up about 90% of all the cases worldwide. Type 2 diabetes, unlike Type 1, does not have a specific age group, but was first called an adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 now accounts to more children because of rising childhood obesity. Children are learning from the adults and are not eating healthy or getting enough exercise in aiding the different levels associated with the diabetes diagnostics. Although some cases are caused genetically, most are because of poor health decisions. The risks can include but are not limited to diseases, heart attacks, eye problems, foot problems such as ulcers-bad enough to be amputated, and skin infections. The problem with type 2 diabetes is that it can be prevented, but instead it makes up for 90% of the cases worldwide.

The final form of diabetes is in women during childbirth. This form is known as Gestational Diabetes and is prominent during pregnancies. It is caused by not enough insulin produced to make up for the high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This prevents the transporting of the glucose into the cells, resulting in very high levels of glucose. This can be controlled by exercise and diet, but if it goes unnoticed it can cause risks during childbirth. The baby may be bigger than he or she should have been.

How can I prevent or reduce the risk of diabetes?

You can lower the chances dramatically by changing your lifestyle. By making these changes you could also be lowering the chances of getting a heart disease and even some cancers. First, get off of that couch! Long television-watching is not beneficial to your health. It is estimated that every two hours spent watching TV instead of being active increases the chances of developing diabetes by 20 percent, heart diseases by 15, and early death by 13 percent. Get out and do some simple exercises or a simple walk. Doing a little bit everyday will help reduce the risks and benefit you greatly. Another thing, is to work on changing the diet. Eat more whole grains, skip the sugary drinks, choose good fats instead of bad fats, limit the red-meat consumptions, stop smoking, and drink a lot more water. Preventing diabetes is simple and can be summed up in five words: stay lean and keep active!