by M. J. Joachim

Created on: March 06, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2009

Recognizing and Controlling Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels accumulate or decrease, because the body does not process them correctly. There are 2 distinct types of diabetes that relate to insufficient insulin distribution and absorption. When insulin is not used effectively, complication from diabetes can result.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It is primarily diagnosed in young patients. However, it can affect adults. The body is simply not able to produce enough insulin. Insulin is required to convert glucose into energy.

The pancreas is responsible for generating insulin producing cells. Type 1 diabetics have a condition where their autoimmune function searches out, and destroys these cells. This can be caused by heredity. It can also be related to viral infections that have disturbed the body's ability to fight disease.

Type 2 Diabetes is much more common. The pancreas produces insulin, but the body has difficulty converting it. In some instances, the body simply ignores the insulin produced, and avoids using it to create energy. Blood sugar levels fluctuate depending on how the body responds to insulin created.

People with Type 2 Diabetes often have an accumulation of insulin which can't be utilized correctly. When this happens, sugars are processed too quickly. The body responds by employing glucose inappropriately, sometimes storing it as fat, or distributing it in the liver, kidneys, and muscle tissues. The result is that not enough glucose will be manifested into energy. Foods need to be broken down and used effectively, so that the body can function at its highest level.

Symptoms of Diabetes

There are 2 categories of symptoms for diabetes. The first relates to Type 1 Diabetes, where the body has continuously low levels of insulin. These are known as hyperglycemic symptoms. The second set of symptoms pertains to having too much insulin, and is commonly referred to as hypoglycemic symptoms. Type 2 Diabetes characteristics are associated with hypoglycemic symptoms, because of how the body responds to insulin production.

Hyperglycemic symptoms include: fatigue, urinary urgency, drinking incessantly, non-stop hunger, weight loss, and vision disturbances. When food cannot be converted into sugar, the body becomes exhausted. It responds by continuously filtering waste, and craving more food and drink to supply the demand. As the body works harder, weight loss is inevitable. Vision is also affected.

Hypoglycemic

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