Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are two major types of diabetes:
- Type 1 - A disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of diabetes.
- Type 2 - A metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
Type 1 Diabetes 
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When sugar builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
- Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
- Over time, high blood sugar levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic! Sure, diabetes is serious. But people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. You can too by taking good care of yourself.
Insulin - Why Don't I Have Enough?
The pancreas, an organ near your stomach, produces insulin. The pancreas contains cells called beta cells. Beta cells have a vital job: They make insulin, a hormone that helps cells take in the sugar they need.
Sometimes, the beta cells get wiped out and cannot produce insulin anymore.
Many things might have killed your beta cells, but in most people with Type 1 diabetes, the immune system makes a mistake. Cells that normally protect you from germs attack your beta cells instead. The beta cells die. Without beta cells, you make no insulin. Sugar builds up in your blood, and you get diabetes.
Taking Care Of Your Diabetes
Many people with Type 1 diabetes live long, healthy lives. The key is keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range, which can be done with meal planning, exercise and insulin. You will also need to check your blood sugar levels regularly. To check your blood sugar, you need a drop of blood. Place the drop on a special test strip. A device called a glucose meter tells how much glucose the drop of blood contains. Your health care provider will tell you how often to check your blood sugar level.
What Can Go Wrong
Diabetes can cause three types of problems:
The best defense against complications is taking good care of your diabetes. Keeping your blood sugar levels near the normal range will make you feel better now. And it will help you stay healthy in the future. Read more about these possible complications in the sections on the left.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
- Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
- Over time, high blood sugar levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic! Diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. You can too by taking good care of yourself.
Is It Curable?
In people with Type 2 diabetes, glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. But with treatment, your blood sugar levels may go down to normal again. But this does not mean you are cured. Instead, a blood sugar level in your target range shows that your treatment plan is working and that you are taking care of your diabetes.
Taking Care Of Your Diabetes
The goal of treatment is to lower your blood sugar and improve your body's use of insulin with:
- Meal planning
- Exercise
- Weight loss
Meal planning and getting regular exercise can help your body maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If you're overweight, losing weight can be another big part of your diabetes treatment. It will help your body use insulin better. The best way to lose weight is to exercise and follow a meal plan. With a weight loss meal plan, you will eat fewer calories. Decide with your health care provider how much to lose. Sometimes, just 10 or 20 pounds is enough to bring diabetes under control. Read more about meal planning and exercise in Healthy Living.
Checking Your Blood Sugar
In addition to eating healthy, losing weight and keeping fit, check your blood sugar levels at home to keep track of how you're doing. To check your blood sugar, you need a drop of blood. Place the drop on a special test strip. A device called a glucose meter measures sugar in the drop of blood.
Your health care provider will tell you how often to check your blood sugar. Write down each result, along with the time and date. You will soon learn how well your treatment plan is working, and you will learn how exercise and food affects you.
A Back-Up Plan
Sometimes, using a meal plan, losing weight and being active are not enough. In addition, your doctor may have you take diabetes pills, insulin shots or both.
Your doctor will probably try you on diabetes pills first. But sometimes pills don't work. Or they work at first and then stop. When this happens, your doctor may have you take both pills and insulin, or maybe just insulin alone. Your medical doctor will tell you what kind of insulin to take, how much and when.
Dr. Charles Morelli is a Board Certified Foot Surgeon and is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. This certification increases the standards and criteria a specialist must meet in order to be considered competent. Dr. Morelli has achieved the highest level of professionalism for Podiatric Board Certification. He has successfully passed the required National Board Exam and has completed a special credentialing process to validate recognition by insurance companies and hospitals. His podiatric privileges include medical and surgical foot management and the treatment of disease, deformities, and trauma. |
