Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus, or diabetes, is actually a group of diseases, all of which are marked by high levels of blood sugar (also called glucose).  Diabetes results from the body’s inability to use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body break down sugar in food so the body can use it as energy.  Type 1 diabetes refers to the body’s inability to produce the hormone insulin. With Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, the body does not make or use insulin efficiently.  This is also called insulin resistance. With both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a lack of insulin means that the glucose stays and accumulates in the blood.  Over time these high levels of blood glucose can cause serious health problems. (more)

Symptoms

• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands or feet
• Frequent skin, gum or bladder infections (more)

Complications

Diabetes can have serious consequences. Over time diabetes can damage your eyes, kidneys and nervous system.  It can also cause heart disease and stroke, dental disease and complications of pregnancy. Damage to feet can arise; in severe cases necessitating amputation. Damage to the retina can cause visual impairment or blindness. The risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people of similar age without diabetes.  Proper management can reduce the risks of these outcomes.