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DiabetesPreventing Age-related DiseasesWhat is Diabetes?Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot produce insulin or cannot use insulin to its full potential. It is characterized by high blood glucose levels. Much of the food we eat is turned into sugar, which our bodies use for energy. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin to help this sugar (glucose) enter the cells of our bodies. Sometimes the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it creates efficiently, which causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream. Unfortunately, this situation can cause serious problems including heart disease, and kidney failure. It can also lead to blindness and loss of the lower extremities, which can develop gangrene and have to be amputated. Although there are many symptoms that appear before these extreme health issues occur, the diabetic often ignores them or they are not diagnosed properly. Some of these symptoms are continual urination and insatiable thirst, tingling or numbness in the arms legs and feet, weakness, tiredness, blurred vision and dry or itchy skin. If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should consult your doctor. If you do not have Type 1 diabetes, which usually starts in childhood, there is good news. Type 2 can be controlled by simple lifestyle changes and these same changes can prevent the development of the disease. The two major types of diabetesType 1 or insulin-dependentType 1 is typically developed as a child or young adult, and is a disease that destroys pancreatic cells meaning no insulin production is possible. Type 1 symptoms often appear suddenly and include high levels of sugar in the blood and urine, frequent urination, hunger, thirst, weight loss, weakness, tiredness, mood swings, nausea and vomiting. It cannot be controlled by life-style changes and has to be controlled through injections of insulin.
Type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetesThe considerably more common variety of the disease, Type 2 is directly linked to an unhealthy diet and inactive lifestyle. It typically affects people over the age of 45, who are also overweight. Those suffering from type 2 are unable to produce enough insulin, and sugar builds up in the bloodstream.Type 2 symptoms include thirst and regular need to urinate, irritability nausea and tiredness. Other symptoms include skin infections, blurry vision, tingling or dry skin, although often these symptoms are very mild. The most common form of the illness that hits elderly people is Type 2 , which can be controlled by losing weight, changing eating patterns and exercise.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes as we ageOne way of avoiding developing this disease is by keeping your weight down, through watching what you eat and exercising regularly. In fact, obesity is the number one reason that diabetics are becoming more numerous throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization there were 177 million people living with the disease in 2000, but they predict this will rise to over 300 million by 2025.If you are diagnosed with Type 2 , or if you are suffering from a pre-diabetic condition your doctor will probably send you to a dietician who will explain to you which foods you can eat as well as what to avoid. Normally, you will be advised to have five or six small meals a day, instead of three meals.
A Word of Caution Eating healthily and exercising regularly help to slow down the aging process and prevent avoidable diseases.Although the web is a fantastic resource for finding out as much as possible about different illnesses, remember that this advice cannot replace the diagnosis of a doctor who has studied medicine for many years and has the practical experience to analyse the different symptoms. Always consult a doctor if you are worried about your health Diabetes Links HOME to Age-well
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