Read our latest article on diabetes medicine versus lifestyle changes. Are doctors prescribing diabetes medicine too early, preventing type 2 diabetics from improving their condition through diet and exercise? read more....

What is Sugar Diabetes ?

Sugar diabetes affects an estimated 20.8 million Americans, or 7% of the U.S. population, although over 6 million sufferers are not aware that they have it. It is a general term for a number of disorders that prevent the body from regulating its blood sugar level, which can lead to serious complications.

Blood sugar level is determined by the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose is produced when we digest starchy foods such as bread, rice and potatoes, and sweet foods including sugar and chocolate. Glucose is also made in the liver.

Insulin is a hormone that carries glucose through the cells of our bodies, where it is used to produce energy. Sugar diabetes sufferers either have a lack of insulin, or cannot use what they have efficiently.

This means that glucose remains in the blood producing symptoms of sugar diabetes.

There are two common varieties of sugar diabetes, now known as Diabetes type 1, which accounts for 10% of cases, and the more common Diabetes type 2. The main differences between the two types are:

• With Diabetes type 1, the body is unable to produce insulin at all, whereas with Diabetes type 2 sugar diabetes, the body produces too little insulin, or cannot use what it produces effectively.

• Diabetes type 1 sufferers usually develop symptoms of sugar diabetes in childhood, whereas those that have Diabetes type 2 do not necessarily show symptoms at all before diagnosis.

• People with Diabetes type 1 diabetes suffer from low blood sugar episodes. This only occurs with Diabetes type 2 sugar diabetes if it is being treated with insulin.

• Diabetes type 1 sugar diabetes cannot be prevented. The onset of Diabetes type 2 can be prevented or delayed by attention to diet and exercise.

How serious is sugar diabetes ?

Many people do not see sugar diabetes as a serious illness, and believe it can be cured with insulin. However, there is no actual cure for diabetes and it is responsible for thousands of deaths every year.

The list of complications that can arise from sugar diabetes is long and frightening. It includes heart disease, kidney disease, blindness or other eye problems, nerve damage, skin conditions and depression.

However, with early diagnosis of sugar diabetes symptoms, the advanced treatments now available, and careful monitoring of diet and exercise, it is possible to delay the progression of diabetes, allowing sufferers to live long and healthy lives.

Am I at risk from sugar diabetes ?

It is unclear what causes Diabetes type 1 sugar diabetes, but there are a number of factors that can mean you have a higher risk of developing Diabetes type 2. These are: [ADSENSE_0000000137]

• A close family member has Diabetes type 2 diabetes

• You are overweight

• You have high blood pressure

• You have had a heart attack or stroke

• You are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight

• You have impaired glucose tolerance

• You have impaired fasting glycaemia

• You are a woman who has had gestational diabetes

• You have severe mental health issues

If any of the above risk factors apply to you, and you are white and over 40, or black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group and over 25, taking a sugar diabetes test is a simple procedure, and if nothing else it will put your mind at ease.

Footnote

The term diabetes (Greek: διαβήτης) was coined by Aretaeus of Cappadocia. It is derived from the Greek word διαβαίνειν, diabaínein that literally means "passing through," or "siphon", a reference to one of diabetes' major symptoms-excessive urine production. It is frequently misspelt with examples such as: diabetis and diabeties.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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