Diabetes 101

Diabetes is a condition of the human body in which sugars and fats are not properly metabolized, because the body's pancreas organ is not producing enough of the peptide hormone insulin. There are two main types of diabetes: Type I, which begins at a very early age; and Type II, which develops later in life. Both are chronic conditions that can be treated and mitigated, but cannot be cured. Both can lead to other serious medical problems, and even to death, if they are not managed properly.

There is also gestational diabetes, which can afflict a woman during pregnancy. It may clear up spontaneously after her baby has been born, or it may turn into Type II diabetes.

In a person with Type I diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, and the person must rely on injections of insulin to simply stay alive. In a person with Type II diabetes, the amount of insulin produced is insufficient to do the entire job of controlling sugar and fat metabolization. Some Type II diabetes sufferers can get by with synthetic chemicals such as metformin and tolbutamide, taken orally; but some require frequent injections of insulin.

Blood-glucose sugar normally fluctuates during the day. The American Diabetes Association recommends maintaining a fasting blood-glucose-sugar level of 90 to 130 mg/dl (milligrams of glucose sugar per deciliter of blood) and a two-hours-after-eating (post-prandial) blood-glucose-sugar level of at most 180 mg/dl.

So, how can you tell if you have diabetes? Diabetes is becoming more common worldwide, as people are living longer because other diseases are being better controlled, and also because traditional healthier diets are giving way to western-style fast food.

Symptoms of diabetes may vary from person to person. Some people with Type II diabetes may have no symptoms. However, you should consider the possibility that you may have diabetes, and get readings of your blood-glucose sugar, if you experience several of the following symptoms: