Facts About Diabetes, Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes

Unsurprisingly, diabetes is a condition that is on the increase around the world. Interesting facts about diabetes include that statistics show that over 171 million people are affected around the globe; worryingly, statistics in 2007 showed that 23.6 million Americans suffered from this condition. This is a staggering figure and perhaps getting some more facts about diabetes will help us win the fight against it. So the first question is - what is diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious condition and means that your body has issues in producing or produces inadequate amounts of glucose, which is a type of sugar processed in the body. The glucose that is made will block the bloodstream and causes blood sugar levels to skyrocket. Another of the confusing facts about diabetes is whether it is hereditary or not; well, this is sometimes the case, but not always. Basically anyone at anytime can be affected by this condition.

Fundamentally there are two kinds of diabetes known as Type 1 and Type 2. Insulin dependent or Type 1 diabetes means that the body stops producing any insulin at all. As insulin is a necessary hormone that helps process the glucose found in food, this is the most serious condition out of the two. Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes is where the body still makes some glucose but insufficient amounts. It is likely that the little insulin that is made will not work effectively in the body.

If you think that you may have diabetes some of the warning signs to look for include excessive tiredness, blurry vision, wounds that take a while to heal or fail to heal at all, the frequent need to urinate and an exaggerated need to quench thirst. Upon diagnosis of diabetes you will need to test your blood sugar levels on a daily basis to make sure they do not go too high or too low.

Different products are available and you can get diabetic testing supply choices from a range of sources. Much of the equipment you will need to aid your monitoring can be found over-the-counter. This excludes insulin, which has to be prescribed by a medical practitioner. Glucose testing kits, lancets, syringes and testing strips can all be obtained from pharmacies and diabetic supply companies on the internet.

Many local stores will be able to help you with diabetes testing supply options. They can conduct initial tests themselves and may also be able to supply free testing equipment if you are eligible. Any serious concerns about your diabetes should be directed to your doctor.

So, is it possible to prevent diabetes from happening? It is certainly an option in the instance of Type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that you change your lifestyle; eat sensibly and take more exercise can aid in the fight against developing diabetes.

If you want to find out additional facts about diabetes, there is an abundance of information available on the internet. Although diabetes is not a disease it should not be taken lightly as it is still a serious condition. The development of diabetes may mean that you have to test yourself every day for the rest of your natural life.