Diabetes - How To Control Type 1 & 2 Diabetes? Inspirational Famous People Taking Insulin Shots

Have you been diagnosed with having diabetes, and although your GP explained all there is to know about diabetes treatments and medication for diabetes, you're still unsure about a few things. It happens a lot after being given a run down on the illness to forget what you've been told.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects over 150 million people worldwide daily which tells us it's a common disorder.

The figures of those already diagnosed are being added to with more people being told they have diabetes nearly every minute of every day. The numbers climb that fast the condition is close to being classed an epidemic.

Simply explained diabetes stops your body from turning the food you eat into energy. As a result of this glucose stays in the bloodstream. A wide scope of complications is usually imminent if diabetes is not treated early.

The word "complications" sounds frightening, but it's the only way to describe what can happen and the importance of getting checked out if you suffer symptoms that may imply diabetes is present.

Most patients cope with the condition and get on with life. But then there are those who think life is over. You're not to worry and think this because; a lot of people with diabetes continue to live very happy lifestyles. People having proper treatment care and guidance, will tell you that they sometimes forget they have the disorder.

There are three types of Diabetes


Type1 Diabetes


Type 2 Diabetes


Gestational Diabetes


Type 1 Diabetes, (known as Juvenile Diabetes) is normally associated with young children and teenagers. In Type 1 Diabetes the human body doesn't produce insulin, an essential hormone for changing blood sugar into energy.

Usually the hormone is created by cells in the pancreas, but for some unknown reason it's not doing the job. Because glucose in the blood won't switch into energy and absorbed by the cells, it builds up causing high blood sugar. It is normally treated with daily injections of insulin which keeps the blood sugar level within normal ranges.

Typically after eating, the foods eaten are broken down in the gut into sugars. The chief sugar is called glucose which passes through the gut wall into the bloodstream. Blood glucose level needs to be kept in check; it shouldn't be permitted to rise or drop.

If the blood glucose level rises, (after food) the level of the hormone (insulin) should rise too. Insulin works on the cells of the body making them take in glucose from the bloodstream. A specific amount of glucose is used by the cells for energy, and some is changed into glycogen or fat.

If the blood glucose level drops (between meals) so does the level of insulin. Some glycogen or fat is then switched back into glucose which is freed from the cells into the bloodstream. Insulin's a hormone created by cells known as beta cells. These are a section of small 'islands' of cells contained in the pancreas.

Being given the news of having diabetes can be disturbing leaving you fearing the worst, and why this is, is, because people don't know about the condition or what to expect.

We are all guilty of jumping the gunassuming all horrible things will happen to us. This is a perfectly natural reaction; however it's something people should avoid doing because it can cause unnecessary depression.

With Type 2 diabetes the symptoms tend to come slowly because this type still makes insulin. The reason why diabetes might occur is:


There's not enough insulin made for your body's needs
The cells in the body don't use insulin correctly. The cells in the body become resistant to normal levels of insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is primarily connected with people in their forties, and is more common in overweight/obese people. And if there's history of diabetes in the family then the risk of developing diabetes is higher than them who the condition doesn't run in the family.

Diet is usually put forward first as one line of treatment followed by weight control and physical activities. If the blood glucose level stays high despite following diet etc, then it's usual for tablets to be taken to reduce the blood glucose level. Depending on particular factors in some cases, insulin injections may be needed. Other treatments include reducing high blood pressure.


Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

In type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop rapidly where type 2 diabetes symptoms develop gradually.

The three major symptoms of diabetes are:


Polyuria - Wanting to urinate often


Polydipsia - Very thirsty & drinking more


Polyphagia - Increased appetite


Other symptoms


Unexplained tiredness


Cuts and scrapes taking a long time to heal


Blurry vision


The 3 specific symptoms are reasoned by the effect of diabetes on the body. If the level of glucose in the blood becomes too high, glucose is wrongly reabsorbed through the proximal renal tubuli.

The outcome, higher levels of glucose in the urine (glycosuria) which then raises the osmotic pressure. This causes interference with the water where it's prevented from being reabsorbed by the kidney, hence greater urine making.

Water kept in the cells is necessary to reinstate lost blood volume, but brings about dehydration and thirst.

Over the year's treatment for diabetes have changed considerably. Today we see various types of monitoring devices available that allow you to keep an eye on your own sugar levels which in return offers the sufferer more freedom.

Medics are adamant that although treatments are crucial factors for those living with diabetes, it is however just as important to eat a healthy specially devised diet and to do exercise.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to several health complications, so it's vital to gain control over your diabetes through the implementation of eating the correct diet, exercise, and to avoid stressful situations.

These simple yet lifesaving adjustments may help lessen the need for pharmaceutical control assistance.

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and 50% of those suffering from diabetes die of cardiovascular disease.

If you follow the code of practice and stay healthy following a diabetic diet it can help stem some of your body fat gain; and exercise will help keep heart disease at bay and prevent stroke.

Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure. Not quite as high as the figures for heart disease and stroke, but 10-20% of people with diabetes die of kidney failure.

Diabetes can involve the more severe issue like renal disease. With this, treatment and medication will change. The need for more medication and possibly spending the rest of life on dialysis could happen.

Diabetic retinopathy the cause of blindness, and happens due to long-term damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina.

About 2% of people who suffer the disorder for over 15 years lose their sight, and approximately 10% develop serious visual impairment. Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the feet and hands.

Seeing the names of famous people, who've lived with the disease and thrived in spite of it, may convince those with diabetes that they can still do, and achieve (depending on certain factors.)


Sport

Sir Steve Redgrave who battled type 1 diabetes to win his record-breaking fifth Olympic Gold medal in the coxless fours rowing event!


Arthur Ashe - Wimbledon winner


Scott Coleman - First man with diabetes to swim the English Channel


Kenny Duckett - NFL - New Orleans Saints


"Smokin' Joe" Frazier - Boxing


Billie Jean King Tennis


Jay Leeuwenburg - NFL - Indianapolis Colts Lineman


Robert "Gorilla Monsoon" Marella - Professional wrestler


Sugar Ray Robinson - Boxing


Wasim Akram - Pakistani cricketer


Music


Syd Barret (Pink Floyd)


Tony Bennett


James Brown Godfather of Soul'


Johnny Cash


David Crosby (Crosby, Stills, and Nash)


Mama Cass Elliott (Mamas and the Papas)


Ella Fitzgerald


Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)


Aretha Franklin


Melvin Franklin (Temptations)


Mahalia Jackson - Gospel Singer


Randy Jackson - American Idol judge


B.B. King


Patti LaBelle


Curtis Mayfield


Elvis Presley


Angie Stone


Luther Vandross


Who needs fame when you have your health, so eat healthy foods and exercise often under doctor's orders.

Diabetes : How to Improve and Better Control Your Blood Sugar & Rid the Need for Insulin Shots