Diabetes is often termed a metabolic disorder because it is the result of how we metabolize or use the food that we eat. Diabetics have a problem with the hormone insulin. Insulin is secreted when food is eaten, or more specifically, when carbohydrates are eaten and broken down to form glucose. Glucose enters the bloodstream and is used to provide energy to the cells of body. During this process the glucose levels in the blood return to a normal level. Returning the blood sugar level to normal is the job of insulin. In diabetics this often cannot be achieved and they have to either take insulin replacement therapy or some form of medication that makes the body more sensitive to the naturally occurring insulin. This article will discuss some of the health problems caused by type 2 diabetes. It will first differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is referred to as an auto-immune disorder. The body's immune system thinks that the cells that produce insulin are pathogens and destroys them. In type 2 diabetes, insulin is still produced but the cells become resistant to the actions of the hormone. Another form of the disease is known as gestational diabetes. It is similar to type 2 diabetes but only occurs during pregnancy and stops after the birth.
With no cure for type 1 diabetes, it is generally managed through a balanced diet, exercise and injecting insulin. Type 2 is managed more through diet and regular exercise. There may be times when medication is used to treat type 2 to make the cells of the body more sensitive to insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes Causes
The body simply stops recognizing or using insulin. This may be some cells in the body or all of them. It is thought that the cells that are resistant to insulin have lost the receptor that senses insulin. People that are overweight, particularly around the waist, are most at risk to type 2 diabetes because the fatty tissues around the waist create adipokines that are thought to reduce the body's tolerance to insulin.
Health Problems That Occur
High blood glucose levels most be reduced. If they are consistently high for long periods then certain parts of the body begin to suffer. These include the cardiovascular, immune and circulatory systems. High glucose levels in the blood change the makeup of the blood and this is thought to score or scratch the walls of the arteries when blood passes through. this can encourage LDL cholesterol to stick to the walls and lead to atherosclerosis and eventually heart disease.
Another problem is poor circulation. This can lead to problems all over the body. The eyes can suffer from diabetic retinopathy because of poor circulation. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels that support the eyes die because they do not receive any blood. This causes the body to make new blood vessels but they are weaker and may break or burst. this can cause blood to leak into the eye and distort or reduce normal vision. In some cases if left untreated it can lead to a detached retina.
The extremities of the body, like the feet and hands are also affected by poor circulation. Blood does not get to them and this can lead to an increased susceptibility to infections and extra sensitivity to cuts and bruises.
For areas like the feet, cuts, bruises and infection are often ignored because the feet are meant to be tough. This is worse for diabetics becuase the nervous system is weakened. this means an warning of foot problems like pain may not be felt and acted on. This can lead to more problems, especially as it takes longer to heal foot problems in a diabetic.
The best treatment of type 2 diabetes is to manage your diet and exercise plans. Eat a balanced diet and get regular workouts. You may also try to lose weight if this is a problem as extra weight can worsen the condition.
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Get more on diabetic diet plans at www.diabeticdietsplan.com. The site features diets and eating healthy diabetic food and some common symptoms of diabetes.
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