An Overview of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Diabetes, without qualification, usually refers to diabetes mellitus, but there are several rarer conditions also named diabetes. The disease is often detected when a person suffers a problem frequently caused by it, such as a heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, poor wound healing or a foot ulcer, certain eye problems, certain fungal infections, or delivering a baby with macrosomia or hypoglycemia.

An estimated 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with the disease have type 1. Most however will be diagnosed with type 2. Sadly, it often goes undiagnosed for too long because the patient does not consider the early symptoms to be harmful.

Pre-diabetes is a condition where a patients blood glucose levels are unusually elevated but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2. This condition is also called impaired glucose tolerance or insulin resistance. The cells of the body become more insulin resistant or the correct amount of insulin is not being manufactured by the pancreas. Pre-diabetes is also called impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) dependant on which test is used for diagnosis. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recently estimated that pre-diabetes is becoming more prevalent in the U.S.

In their efforts to ascertain whether or not a person has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care professionals use a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Using the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level in the range of 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. Using the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after fasting and two hours after consuming a glucose-rich drink.

Diabetes testing is needed for individuals with any of the many risk factors, as well as for many at different age groups. However, keep in mind that maintaining your blood sugar at a proper level now can help to minimize the risk of diabetes complications later in life.

Persons diagnosed with diabetes may eventually suffer from damage to the retinas, renal failure, cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, nerve damage and many other health problems.

Proper diabetes treatment, focusing on the control of blood pressure and personal habits like smoking and keeping your weight under control could help in avoiding diabetes complications.

Diabetes can cause devastating health problems and take years off your life. However, people who suffer from this disease can make preparations to control it and minimize the risk of these complications. Over 21 million in the U.S. have diabetes and it is one of the major causes of premature death and disability. Diabetes can cause complications that damage almost every area of the body. It's seriousness cannot be taken lightly, but it can be kept under control.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

John Richmond is a freelance writer who does research in information about diseases and is a contributor to YourDiabetesInfo.com. John has thoroughly researched the topic of diabetes and hopes you find his writings informative.

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