Stay Healthy to Avoiding Diabetes Complications

Diabetes is a blood sugar disorder that is reaching epidemic proportions around the world. Glucose is a natural product after a meal is consumed. The pancreas works to produce insulin which helps move glucose into the cells of the body where it can be used for energy.

Unfortunately, for the diabetic something goes wrong and the glucose remains in the bloodstream where it begins to do significant damage to many organs of the body including the heart and kidneys.

There are two main reasons why glucose remains in the bloodstream. Either the pancreas is not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body have become resistant to absorbing glucose even when enough insulin is available. Type one diabetics count for 10% of all diabetics. It strikes at a young age. Type two diabetes is more prevalent. It often affects during middle age and strikes many who are overweight and live a sedentary lifestyle.

Whether type one or two, complications will result unless it is treated. The four most prevalent complications are:

Nephropathy: Excess glucose damages the functioning of the kidneys. 60% of all people on dialysis are diabetic. The kidneys attempt to flush out excess blood sugar, but in doing so it also flushes out many of the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to function properly. If nutrients are not replaced, this leads to a downward spiral where death ultimately results. Diabetics must replace what they lose more than the average non-diabetic. Unfortunately, the diets of the average person today lacks the minimum requirements of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for proper health. This insures that many diabetics are headed for dialysis as their kidneys fail.

Retinopathy: Many diabetics eventually go blind as glucose starts to damage the fine nerves in the eyes. Diabetics are at greater risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and other problems associated with the eyes. Seeing an eye care specialist is a necessity. Drugs help to reduce blood sugar to normal levels but do nothing if nerves have been damaged.

Neuropathy: Similarly, the delicate nerves in the feet are affected leading to loss of sensation. The diabetic does not feel pain when stepping on a sharp object. Infection can set in leading to gangrene and eventually amputation to save the person's life. Numbness in the hands and feet, tingling and nerve pain are the symptoms that the nerves are dying. It is imperative for the diabetic to check their feet and have them checked by a foot care specialist.

Cardiovascular Disease: Fully 90% of type two diabetics are overweight and obese. Too much fat makes the heart work harder. It has been shown that losing a few pounds can greatly reduce the chance of becoming diabetic or improve blood sugar control for those who have diabetes. Most diabetics also have high blood pressure, live a stressful life and have poor eating habits. Diabetics age faster, far beyond their years. Heart attack and stroke are common to diabetics. Evidence appears to point out another type of diabetes as excess blood sugar may be the direct cause of Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Diabetes is a wasting disease. It is estimated that some 20 million Americans are diabetic while an additional 7 million don't know they have it as symptoms don't show up. While no cure exists, diabetes can be prevented. If you have diabetes, you can reverse the complications by changing your diet, exercise and eliminate the bad habits that have brought diabetes into your life. As type one diabetics must take insulin for the rest of their lives, type two diabetics can take steps to control the disease and prevent the damage that can occur so they can live healthy lives.

The author is a freelance writer who has had many of his articles published at Helium, Suite 101, eHow, Constant Content and his blog at Word Press. For more info on his work send an email to: MrMaGca@gmail.com Among his interests are running an affiliate business where you can both buy and sell your own products. You can find more about this at: www.tripleclicks,com/71130/go

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