DIABETES – WHAT IS IT?

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body uses food. To understand “DIABETES,” it helps to know how the body normally uses this food.
Our body is made up of many kinds of cells that make the skin, bones, muscles, and other body parts. These cells need fuel for energy in order to work right. It gets this fuel from sugar. This sugar comes from the food we eat.

After we eat, the food goes to the stomach. Most of this food breaks down to sugar and passes into blood stream. The sugar then travels to the cells where it is used as energy. It can not do this by itself. It needs help from a hormone called INSULIN.

Insulin comes from the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach. When the sugar passes into the blood, the pancreas sends insulin to the cells of the body. Insulin attaches itself to little doors on the cells called receptors. Here it carries sugar inside the cell to be used for energy.

So, insulin lowers blood sugar by taking the sugar out of the blood and carrying it into the cells.

What happens if you do not have any insulin or if your insulin does not work right?
The sugar cannot get into cells. It builds up in the blood. Everyone has some sugar in their blood. When there is too much (high blood sugar), it is called “DIABETES”.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?
 
•    Thirsty
•    Hungry
•    Drowsy
•    Frequent urination    
•    General body weakness            
•    Blurred vision
•    Weight Loss (Mainly type 1)
•    Sores that won’t heal

 
Type 1 Diabetes
In this kind of diabetes, the part of the pancreas that makes insulin has stopped working. Now there is no insulin to carry the sugar inside the cells. The sugar builds up in the blood (high blood sugar) which makes you sick.

How do you treat Type I Diabetes?
Taking the right amount of insulin shots, eating the right foods, and exercising regularly will help you control your Diabetes.

Type II Diabetes
In this kind of Diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin, but the insulin does not work right. This can happen when you become overweight. Fat causes some of the receptors (doors) to disappear. The insulin can not attach it self to the cells to carry the sugar inside. The sugar builds up in the blood (high blood sugar), which makes you sick.

How Do You Treat Type 11 Diabetes?
If you lose weight and exercise regularly, the receptors (doors) on the cells can reappear. The insulin will now attach it self to the receptors (doors) and carry the sugar into the cells. This will lower the blood sugar. Sometimes you may also need to take insulin shots or Diabetes pills to help control your Diabetes.

ALL DIABETIC PATIENTS MUST GET DIETARY EDUCATION AND PLAN. YOU MUST SEE A NUTRITIONIST/DIETICIAN AND YOUR DOCTOR