What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a common disease in which the body fails to properly produce or use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Diabetes affects 23.6 million adults and children in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. Of those people, an estimated 5.7 million people remain unaware they have the condition.

However, diabetes isn't a death sentence – far from it, in fact. People who have diabetes can still live long, healthy lives, as long as they take good care of their bodies. This is a fact, because I am among the millions of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Through treatment and healthy lifestyle choices, my life hasn't changed much. In fact, I feel better than ever.

Diabetes diagnosis

The first signs of diabetes usually appear at a young age. That's exactly what happened with me. The first symptoms appeared during high school, starting with a persistent urge to urinate, and an unquenchable thirst that couldn't be satisfied no matter how much water I drank. At first, I thought I was just stressed out; I was running cross country and enrolled in honors classes. Then I began losing weight and occasionally experienced blurred vision. I couldn't ignore the warning signs any longer.

After a few quick tests, the doctor diagnosed me with Type 1 Diabetes. My initial reaction was fear. How would diabetes affect me? Would I still live a long, healthy life? I was extremely relieved to learn that diabetes – while still a serious disease – is also extremely manageable.

Some people get diabetes because they are overweight or have other related health problems. Other people get it because of genetic predispositions. Despite being in great health, my condition is best described as hereditary, seeing as how both of my parents were diagnosed with diabetes at a young age. With plenty of family support, it became obvious how people with diabetes can remain free of many serious health complications. The keys to healthy living included eating a controlled diet, exercising regularly and carefully monitoring blood sugar levels.

Diabetes screening

There are numerous ways for doctors to detect the presence of diabetes. The best way to find it is through a blood test, after which the blood is examined in a medical laboratory. A diabetes screening test can be completed in a very short amount of time, and treatment can begin immediately after the test results are in.

The presence of diabetes can also be detected in other ways. Several symptoms, such as a constant thirst or a persistent urge to urinate, can signal the onset of diabetes. A urine sample at the doctor's office may include an extremely high concentration of sugar, which would indicate that the body is not properly converting sugar into energy – the key trait of diabetes. Vision problems, dizziness and other medical problems can also be a red flag for diabetes.

Diabetes support online

There are many Web sites designed to help people with diabetes, and this is one of them. Unfortunately, this site wouldn't have been made without my diabetes diagnosis. My goal is to spread awareness of diabetes, so that others may learn more about the condition before standing face-to-face with it.

Types of Diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes, the kind I have, is most often found in young people. It used to be called “Juvenile Diabetes.” This is when the body only produces small amounts of insulin, or no insulin at all. Type 1 diabetes is regulated with insulin shots.
• Type 2 diabetes: This is the more common type of diabetes. Older people who are out of shape are the most at risk for being diagnosed with this type of diabetes. Whereas medication and insulin shots may be used to treat Type 1 diabetes, this form of the disease is better treated with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
• Gestational diabetes: Pregnant women with high levels of glucose in their blood are most at risk for developing gestational diabetes. In some cases, the gestational diabetes disappears following delivery.

There is no cure for diabetes, and the cause of the disease is unknown. However, as I was delighted to learn, people who have diabetes can go on to lead healthy, happy lives.

Diabetes Afflictions

As seen in the above descriptions, diabetes can affect different people in various ways. Within my family, both of my parents were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. That's my type too. All types of diabetes require disciplined care to lead long, healthy lives. Diabetic patients who don't take care of themselves run the risk of encountering health problems later on in life.

Living With Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition that can result in numerous health complications later in life. Living with diabetes requires discipline and healthy lifestyle choices. You must monitor your condition at all times and be conscious of every decision you make.

Insulin shots and medications

The shots and medications used in the treatment of diabetes are designed to regulate glucose in the body without causing blood-sugar levels to “crash.” Large drops in blood-sugar levels can trigger diabetic reactions, which can cause a variety of problems including unconsciousness, comas and even death. Insulin shots and medications are prescribed according to the type and severity of patients' diabetic symptoms. People who have diabetes often self-monitor their blood-sugar levels using portable blood test kits.

Why is overall health important?

Overall health is crucial for properly managing diabetes. The disease renders the body vulnerable to a host of other health problems, and maintaining good physical fitness helps compensate for these increased vulnerabilities. Obesity is also a known cause of Type 2 diabetes, so losing weight is literally a direct treatment method for controlling diabetes.

Eat a healthy diet

Breads, cereals and potatoes help maintain healthy blood-sugar levels. People who have or are at risk of diabetes should stay away from foods rich in fat and sugar, and the use of heavy cooking oils is discouraged. A healthy diet also includes generous portions of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Meat, fish, eggs and other protein-rich foods are OK to eat in moderation. Some alcohol is also allowed, but people who have diabetes should never smoke cigarettes or anything else.