Diabetes: a simple explanation that can save diabetics

According to an article published in 2007, approximately 20 million Americans have diabetes (“Diabetes mellitus.” Altha Roberts Edgren. and Ken R. Wells. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, Online update, 2007. 5 vols). In another article published in 2009, “Long-term consequences of diabetes” by Chris D. Meletis (see Townsend Letter. May 2009 i310 pg. 54(7)) which I had highlighted in my earlier articles, it was estimated that 23.6 million people in the United States are diabetic. From 20 million to 23.6 million, that is an 18% increase in people suffering from diabetes over a short 2-years period. And remember, this figure is only from the U.S. alone. What about the numbers worldwide? Aren’t we supposed to start becoming more concern about diabetes? Why such a huge number? Are not people taking care? One possible assumption that I can draw from this is that people are not educated sufficiently on the dangers of diabetes. Even if they have access to information on diabetes, such information usually is full of jargon that it either prevents people from reading it or understanding it. Based on a report, Diabetes overview (living with diabetes), ((Adult Health Advisor)(Disease/Disorder overview) Clinical Reference Systems. Nov 2008 v2008 i3) McKesson Health Solutions LLC), there are 4 common types of diabetes, type 1, type 2, gestational and pre-diabetes. As it is not possible to cover all 4 types of diabetes in a short article like this, I shall focus on type 2 diabetes, reason being that I have a personal interest in it, and also because type 2 diabetes makes up the highest percentage of sufferers due to the current lifestyle that we lead and the quantity of processed food that we consumed. To get a basic understanding of what Type 2 diabetes is you need to know how our body function. Our body produces insulin to help regulate blood sugar but because of an imbalance, our body is not able to regulate it. This results in high blood sugar. Though I am oversimplifying this, I feel that we do not need to go too in-depth on the medical mechanics on what causes this imbalance. The problem with most of us is that we are not able to see what is happening inside our body and because of this, do not realize the danger signs until it is too late. We therefore continued with the usual lifestyle that we lead. However, unknown to us, high blood sugar keeps accumulating in our body. With the build-up of high blood sugar on the blood vessels, blood flow will turn sluggish. Also the blood vessels wall will become smaller and thinner. This will impact on a number of the human organs, such as the heart, kidneys, liver and the eyes, just to highlight a few. Being diagnosed with diabetes is just the beginning. There will be a lot of challenges ahead. Changes are required with a lot of unsettling moments. Also, habits and lifestyle should be re-examined. However, it is not the end of the world. It is all about adapting to the situation. Over time, it will become a new habit, a new beginning to a new and better you.