Health Problems Caused By Type Diabetes

Diabetes is known as a metabolic disorder because it affects how we use the food that we eat. As we eat many times a day and there is no cure for diabetes, it is a disease that can have a significant impact on a person's life. Diabetics have a problem with the hormone insulin. When food is eaten, mainly carbohydrates, it is metabolized so that glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Once in the blood it can be transported throughout the body where it is used as energy by the body. When this occurs, the blood glucose level reduces from a high level to a normal level. This is the job of the hormone insulin. For diabetics the blood glucose level cannot be reduced because insulin is not created or the body is not sensitive to the insulin that is produced.

As a result of this various health problems can occur. This article will first point out the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and then cover some health problems caused by type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is known as an autoimmune disorder.

The body destroys the cells that produce insulin because it thinks they are harmful to the body. Thus no insulin is produced. Type 2 diabetes is often referred to as insulin resistance. The body produces insulin but for some reason the cells in the body do not react to it and become resistant. Another form of diabetes is gestational diabetes which starts during pregnancy and usually ends after the birth. It is similar to type 2 diabetes in that it is a resistance to insulin.

The ongoing treatment for type 1 is consistent exercise, a balanced diet and insulin replacement therapy. Type 2 is treated similarly, through exercise and diet. It generally does not need insulin replacement therapy but may need medication to make the body more responsive to the normally occurring insulin. Why Does Type 2 Diabetes Occur The cells in the body cannot recognize or process insulin. It is thought that the cells that develop this condition have lost the receptors that sense insulin secretion or simply there is not enough insulin being produced to deal with the amount of glucose in the body.

People with a large belly are most at risk of developing type 2 diabetes because the fat cells in the abdominal area produce adipokines that are believed to reduce the body's tolerance to insulin. Resulting Health Issues High blood glucose levels most be reduced. If they are consistently high for long periods then certain parts of the body begin to suffer. These include the cardiovascular, immune and circulatory systems.

High glucose levels in the blood change the makeup of the blood and this is thought to score or scratch the walls of the arteries when blood passes through. this can encourage LDL cholesterol to stick to the walls and lead to atherosclerosis and eventually heart disease. Diabetes leads to poor circulation which can result in eyes problems. One such problem is known as diabetic retinopathy. The small blood vessels that surround the eyes stop getting blood.

The body responds by creating more small blood vessels but they have weakened walls that are prone to burst. This will leak blood and other matter into the eye. This can impair vision or lead to blindness if not treated.

The extremities of the body, like the feet and hands are also affected by poor circulation. Blood does not get to them and this can lead to an increased susceptibility to infections and extra sensitivity to cuts and bruises. The nervous system is also affected in people with type 2 diabetes. This means problems with feet, like cuts or infections are not felt and go unnoticed because people rarely look or see their feet.

The simplest treatment for type 2 diabetes is exercise and diet. Get a regular exercise schedule. Start off small and build up as you get more stamina. Consult a doctor about what and how much exercise you should do. Plan a diabetic diet with a dietitian and make sure it is balanced to give you all the vitamins and nutrients you need.

Learn more about a diabetes diet plan at www.diabeticdietsplan.com. The site features diets and eating nutritious diabetic foods and some common symptoms of diabetes.