Diabetes and Its Levels

There is nothing like a pick-me-upper than a sweet treat! Ice creams, chocolates, candies, and basically almost everything sweet is associated as a mood lifter. These treats are almost always a sure guarantee to turn that frown upside down.

While these sweets are doing your emotions some good, how do you think those sugars are treating your blood? According to www.medicinenet.com, diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

Diabetes has two types: the Type 1 diabetes and the Type 2 diabetes. www.emedicinehealth.com simplifies the difference between each type:

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system specifically attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

• A predisposition to develop type 1 diabetes may run in families, but genetic causes (a postitive family history) are much more common for type 2 diabetes.
• Environmental factors, including common unavoidable viral infections, may also contribute to type 1 diabetes.
• Type 1 diabetes is most common in people of non-Hispanic, Northern European descent (especially Finland and Sardinia), followed by African Americans, and Hispanic Americans. It is relatively rare in those of Asian descent.
• Type 1 diabetes is slightly more common in men than in women.

Type 2 diabetes has strong genetic links, meaning that type 2 diabetes tends to run in families. Several genes have been identified, and more are under study which may relate to the causes of type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include the following:

• High blood pressure
• High blood triglyceride (fat) levels
• Gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• High-fat diet
• High alcohol intake
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity or being overweight
• Ethnicity, particularly when a close relative had type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes: certain groups, such as African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Japanese Americans, have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.
• Aging: Increasing age is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Risk begins to rise significantly at about age 45 years, and rises considerably after age 65 years.

Another known type of diabetes is the Gestational Diabetes. This occurs during pregnancy when the blood sugar levels are higher than pre-pregnancy levels. What causes this is yet to be found, but some experts believe that the hormones produced by the placenta causes an interference with the mother’s ability to use the insulin that her body produces. The baby might be affected with this condition so this type of diabetes needs to be controlled. However, it is mostly being diagnosed early because most women are screened during pregnancy.

Being diagnosed with diabetes does not mean that it’s the end of the world. In fact, however frightening it may be, being diagnosed with diabetes will motivate you to lead a healthier lifestyle and well-being. Persons with Type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin daily, while persons with Type 2 or gestational diabetes will have to diet, exercise, and lose weight in order to improve their condition. Proper medication must also be taken religiously.