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Diabetes : A Scary Time

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Diabetes Being diagnosed with diabetes can be a scary time. There is a lot of information to learn and many treatment options to choose. Learning what diabetes is and what causes it is a good place to start so an informed decision can be made. Diabetes is what happens when the body has elevated blood glucose with little to no insulin to able to escort the glucose into the body 's cells. Glucose is used by the cells to make energy and the only way for cells to receive glucose is by insulin unlocking the cell and guiding it in (Hawthorn University, 2008). Insulin is a hormone that is manufactured by the beta cells of the pancreas. It is released directly into the blood stream to pick up and carry glucose to cells. When this process …show more content…

The glucose has nowhere to go but back through the blood stream. The body registers that there is too much glucose and signals the pancreas to release more insulin making the problem worse and wearing out the pancreas. This moves on to syndrome X. Syndrome X means that there are now several systems malfunctioning because of the high blood glucose (Hawthorn University, 2008). Blood tests at this point would show high LDL and VLDL cholesterol, high triglycerides along with high blood pressure. The next step in this progression is type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes the long term elevated blood sugar can cause the beta cells to burn out trying to keep up with so much demand for insulin which can lead to insulin dependence (Hawthorn University, 2009). Type 2 diabetes is generally caused by poor lifestyle choices such as eating refined, processed foods, high sugars, bad fats and a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity can be another cause and can also be a sign of diabetes especially if it is upper body obesity or the apple shape. These choices cause blood glucose levels to swing out of control and over time can cause diabetes. The signs and symptoms of diabetes are different depending on the type. Type 1 symptoms can happen suddenly and are severe. There can be weight loss, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, blurred vision, dehydration and possibly fever. These symptoms are dangerous and can lead to coma or be fatal in a matter of months if not treated. Symptoms

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