What is Diabetes

I just received an email from a friend of mine that a former co-worker had passed away. Pat had diabetes and a number of other ailments. She went blind because of the diabetes, she had to take insulin shots each day. She had kidney replacement two years ago and was living on borrowed time. Diabetes is a disease that changes the way your body uses sugar. The food you eat turns to sugar. The sugar then travels through the blood to all parts of the body. Usually, insulin helps get sugar from the blood to the body's cells, where it is used for energy.

When you have diabetes, your body has trouble making and/or responding to insulin. So your body does not get the fuel it needs. And your blood sugar stays too high.

Type 1- The body does not make any insulin. People with type 1 must take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 - the body does not use insulin the way it should. Most people with diabetes have type 2.

Some people with diabetes notice that they have an urgent need to go to the bathroom a lot. They may experience a feeling that they are always hungry or thirsty all the time. Some may experience blurred vision. Others may have cuts or bruises that are slow to heal. Some people may have a feeling of constant fatigue, or that their hands or feet may tingle or feel numb. If you have a combination of these symptons you should seek medical services.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes use you medicines wisely, there are those who are in denial and will forego their pills or shots because they are feeling better, please follow your doctor's orders, it may very well save your life.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist what your medicines do. Also ask when to take them and if they have any side effects. Be aware of the foods that you eat, exercise, there is no one diet for people with diabetes. Work with your health care team to come up with a plan for you. Be active at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. Exercise helps your body use insulin better.