Battling Diabetes

Why any particular person gets diabetes isn’t completely known. Complicating the situation is the fact that there are different types of the disease, though Type 1 and Type 2 are the most common. Of those, Type 2 accounts for about 90% of cases.

Fortunately for those who are at risk, many factors are lifestyle choices and therefore can be altered. Even after contracting the disease, much of the management of the disease involves controllable issues.

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Diabetes is characterized by abnormally elevated blood glucose levels over a period of time. Insulin is either produced in too low amount (Type 1) or not used properly (Type 2). Insulin is the principle hormone that helps the cells take up glucose. Since the amount is higher than normal, it’s possible to take different tests that detect them.

One of the standard tests is called a ‘Fasting Plasma Glucose’ (FPG) test. The patient foregos eating for at least 8 hours (usually nothing after midnight). The test is administered by drawing blood and measuring the results. A normal fasting glucose level will be lower than about 99 mg/dL.

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Many factors contribute to the onset of diabetes, including genetic predisposition and diet. But exercise can help reduce the odds of getting and the severity of this disease.

Diabetes comes in two types, Type I and Type II. In either case, the body has difficulty regulating the level of blood glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the body’s activities.

One basic reason is the inability to produce the proper amount of insulin, a hormone that helps transport glucose to the cells. In Type I diabetes the body can’t produce adequate insulin, so the loss has to be made up from the outside, usually via injection. This is the more serious type and control of the condition requires obtaining medical advice.

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