Type 2 Diabetes, Adult Onset, Becoming Childhood Diabetes, Part 1
This subject requires more than one article, so we will break into two-three parts.
Myths re: Diabetes: *No one in my family has it so I won't get it.
*I have diabetes so I can never eat sweets.
*It is not safe to exercise with diabetes.
*I will likely develop diabetes as I am overweight.
*I only have borderline diabetes so I don't need to worry.
Definition: A condition that occurs when your body doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use it properly thus allowing too much sugar to float in the blood. It eventually leads to circulatory, nervous and immune system issues.
Who is at risk: overweight or obese
physically inactive
family history
over 40 years old, although due to childhood weight problems and inactivity it is on the rise
What are the symptoms?
increased thirst
frequent urination
fatigue
unexplained weight loss
blurry vision
cuts and bruises heal slowly
tingling in hands or feet
The Science: It is a long-term chronic disease whereas the body cannot regulate the amount of glucose, sugar, in the blood. Cells in muscle, fat and the liver become resistant to insulin that your pancreas produces. The cells can't take in enough sugar. The pancreas can't make enough insulin to keep the blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Exactly why this happens is not known. Being overweight and inactive are key factors. It taxes the insulin and eventually you don't have enough to handle your eating patterns, or it becomes resistant. When you eat food, glucose enters your bloodstream Glucose is your fuel, just like gas in a car. There are three different types of diabetes, but for the purpose of this article, let's concentrate on Type 2 as it encompasses about 80 per cent of all diabetics.
Screening: Healthcare providers now check two tests for screening. One, the standard fasting blood sugar, secondly HgbA1-C. The first is the result for that morning, the second is an average of the past 3 months. You have prediabetes it your test if 5.7% to 6.4%. Anything over 6.5% is diagnosed as diabetes. This should be a wakeup call to focus on diet and exercise.
reference Mt Sinai, NIH
To be continued