November 2008 is national Diabetes awareness month. So, what should you know about diabetes? Let's start with the basic types. Type 1, or juvenile onset, diabetes is caused by an absolute deficiency of insulin, which is why the treatment involves insulin injections. The type of diabetes that is in the media these days for its rapidly growing numbers is type 2, or adult onset, diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a different ballgame- here, the problem is a resistance to insulin or a decreased production of insulin. Insulin is the key that opens the doors to cells, allowing sugar to come from the blood and move into the cell to be used as energy. When that door wont unlock (because of resistance to insulin) the sugar levels build up in the blood and eventually cause damage in many parts of the body- the eyes, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels and heart.
What are symptoms of diabetes? Being hungry all the time, thirsty all the time, having frequent urination, having an unexplained sudden weight loss or developing fatigue are the classic symptoms, but many people have no obvious symptoms. If you are overweight, especially if you have a family history of diabetes, go and see your doctor and get tested for diabetes. A simple fasting blood test will tell the doctor whether or not your blood sugar is elevated.
Want to find out more? Go to Diabetes.org, the website for the American Diabetes Association.
BOTTOM LINE: An estimated 23.6 million Americans have Diabetes, and 5.7 million of them are undiagnosed. Diabetes can be treated and possibly even prevented with early intervention, so stop worrying or wondering if you have diabetes- get to your doctor and find out!
1 comment:
Dr. Grimes: I am extremely impressed with All of you comments, and sensible explainations of the problems I was confronted with in my 48 years of Board Certified Family Medicine.I would be pleased if you would read my book, to be out in a couple of weeks.Title, MY WHOLE LIFE AND 48 YEARS OF SMALL TOWN FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE. Publisher ELOQUENT BOOKS PUBLISHING. Check their site on Google, click on Authors and see a picture and small comment about it. The book will reveal many quotes of patient's that I had saved all those years and planned to write the one liners in a small book and call it "THE COMMODE BOOK", to be placed in the bathroom for reading while "resting". Finally started it and decided the reader might want to read about who wrote the book. I started at my birth in 1923, through depression years, WWII, back to Virgina Tech,accepted into Medical College of Virginia, interned, entered practice 1955 Auburndale Fla. Boards became available to us if we were qualified members for 9 years of Amer. Acadamy of general Practice. Then we could sit for the FP Boards in 1970, and 1971. Had to pass it and I did. Humorous,sad, medical care, last of 6 kids drove drunk at 16 into a tree 1984, wife became alcoholic, treated and I still love her after 55 years. You may read some things you may run into. I think your interesting writing will aid your practice, it is so interesting to read, Congratulations! Thank you Paul A. Tanner,Jr.MD
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