What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of Americans, causing metabolic changes in the body. It occurs when the body is unable to properly monitor insulin or glucagon levels, leading to either an increase, or decrease, in blood sugar levels of the body.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 29.1 million Americans have diabetes. However, out of these numbers, about ⅓ were undiagnosed. Over 86 million Americans over the age of 20 are diagnosed as pre-diabetic*, meaning they have higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not levels that are high enough to be considered diabetic. The most common symptoms of diabetes with high blood sugar levels includes weight loss, increased urination, and thirst.
How Does Insulin Maintain Glucose Levels?
High Glucose
The chemical insulin, along with another chemical glucagon, is produced by the pancreas. In essence, they maintain the sugar/glucose levels in the body. When blood sugar levels are too HIGH, insulin is secreted to tell the body to stop producing glucose. At the same time as insulin is secreted, glucagon is backed off. When glucose levels are too high, it is known as hyperglycemia.Low Glucose
When glucose levels are too LOW, the opposite occurs. Insulin levels are reduced and glucagon is released to prod the liver to release stored glucose cells into the bloodstream, thus increasing the glucose levels in the body. When an individual is suffering from low blood sugar, it is called hypoglycemia.
HIGH GLUCOSE : Insulin Secreted and Glucagon not released
LOW GLUCOSE: Glucagon Secreted and Insulin not released
For those individuals whose bodies are unable to properly produce insulin or glucagon, they end up with improper levels of glucose within the bloodstream. Therefore, blood sugar levels must be monitored closely via a glucometer and/or insulin injections. Proper glucose levels are anywhere around 80 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) before a meal, but no higher than 126 mg/dL. Glucose levels higher than 200mg/dL is considered elevated**. However, time of day, meals, and type of test have a vast effect on overall levels.
Talk To Your Doctor
In order to be properly diagnose, it is important to visit your doctor for a complete and integrative set of tests. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will provide you with a maintenance plan, especially when it comes to your insulin shots. In older adults and seniors, diabetes can have a large effect on overall health and quality of life. Many times, a home health care nurse is recommended to help with the medical care and daily routine for those suffering from severe cases of diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association has a vast amount of resources for those wanting more information on diabetes, recipes, and living life to its fullest!
* http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/
** http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/how-sugar-affects-diabetes