Diabetes
Diabetes is a non- communicable disease in which the body either does not produce insulin or does not properly use insulin. The pancreas normally creates insulin, and depending on which type of diabetes someone has (there are two types) the pancreas either doesn't produce insulin at all or what insulin it does produce isn't properly used. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Without insulin, our body wouldn't get the energy it needs to work from food. Basically, without insulin, our body wouldn't work.
There are two main types of diabetes:
As years or even decades pass, complications can result due to diabetes. Diabetes can affect parts of the body such as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums, feet, and heart and blood vessels. The eye can develop complications such as cataracts, retinopathy, and glaucoma. The kidneys can develop kidney disease. When nerves are damaged, problems can arise such as infections of untreated wounds because pain is not felt in the wound. Gum disease can develop in the mouth and the feet can develop problems because of poor blood flow. The heart can also develop problems eventually leading to heart disease.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes is when your pancreas does not produce insulin. This type of diabetes is inherited which means your born with it and can't help having it. People with type 1 diabetes have to take an insulin shot daily to prevent their blood's sugar level from getting too high or too low. Of the people who have diabetes, only about 5-10% have type 1.
- Type 2 diabetes is when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or produces insulin but the body isn't able to use it to convert food into energy. Several different things treat type 2 diabetes including insulin shots, insulin enzymes, and exercise since this type of diabetes is brought on by lack of exercise and obesity. This is the most common form of diabetes in Americans.
As years or even decades pass, complications can result due to diabetes. Diabetes can affect parts of the body such as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums, feet, and heart and blood vessels. The eye can develop complications such as cataracts, retinopathy, and glaucoma. The kidneys can develop kidney disease. When nerves are damaged, problems can arise such as infections of untreated wounds because pain is not felt in the wound. Gum disease can develop in the mouth and the feet can develop problems because of poor blood flow. The heart can also develop problems eventually leading to heart disease.