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Diabetes Is Not Your Grandfather’s Disease

Every year over 500,000 people, in the United States alone, are diagnosed with Diabetes. This used to be a ’sugar in the blood disease’ that affected the elderly. Now it is recognized and diagnosed as the disease that is killing America. Are you next on the Diabetes bullet of death? Think it couldn’t be you or yours?

What causes Diabetes?

This is still not known, for certain, although it is clear that being overweight, having a history of diabetes in your family, having an instance of gestational diabetes, being inactive or being African American or Mexican American is a strong deciding factor for many Americans. Although, clearly, some of these indicators are not controllable, such as family history or ethnicity, others are, such as weight and inactivity. In other words; lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

Unfortunately, in the earliest stages of the disease, there are no real symptoms. You may, however, notice an unexplained loss of weight, an increased thirst, an overall feeling of fatigue or blurry vision. These symptoms indicate you may already be diabetic and should be tested immediately.

Do all diabetics take insulin shots?

No. There are two types of diabetes, Type I (Insulin Dependent) and Type II (Non Insulin Dependent). Type II Diabetes affects the majority of people who become diabetic. Type II diabetics do not inject insulin; they generally adjust their dietary habits and take oral prescription medication, such as Glucotrol.

This is not to be taken lightly, however, as Type II diabetes is every bit as deadly as Type I. Not taking your prescribed medicine or failing to adjust your dietary habits can lead to neuropathy, renal failure, blindness and possible amputation. These are not minor medical conditions and should not be treated as such. This type of Diabetes (Type II) is generally diagnosed in people over 40, although younger people can be affected.

Type I diabetics will be given a certain dosage (or dosages) of insulin daily, along with adjusted eating plans and possibly oral medication, to keep their blood sugar levels within normal range. This type of diabetes usually affects younger people.

Juvenile Diabetes is Type I diabetes in people under 18. This type of diabetes is severe and requires a major lifestyle adjustment. Those who do not adhere to their schedule of treatment and modification will become very ill, with hospitalization, possible coma, and eventual death, if remaining untreated.