discussing diabetes

You’ve heard of diabetes, but do you really know what is? Diabetes Mellitus or insulin diabetes is a chronic illness characterized by a deficiency of a hormone known as insulin.  Insulin which is produced in the pancreas, plays an important role in how the body uses food, as well as enabling the cells in the bloodstream to absorb and use glucose for energy. If the pancreas produces too little, ineffective or no insulin at all, the body is vulnerable to diabetes. Diabetics are unable to properly convert food into energy due to the insulin deficiency.

The pancreas which is located behind the stomach, is a long, thin organ about the length of the hand. The pancreas has two different types of cells called alpha and beta. The pancreatic beta cells are responsible for producing and secreting insulin. In turn, the insulin regulates glucose, which provides the energy the body requires to function.

Glucose is sugar manufactured when the carbohydrates we eat are digested. Carbohydrates are prevalent in foods that contain large amounts of sugar or starch. Bread, fruit, ice cream, and cereal are prime examples of foods that are high in carbohydrates. Glucose that remains undigested is absorbed by the blood stream and removed by the kidneys through urination.

Facts about Diabetes
According to the CDC, diabetics spend an average of $13,243 per year in health care costs. This is six times the average for non-diabetic individuals at $2,560

            In the United States, nearly 6,000 people lose their eyesight annually because of diabetes, making it the most common cause of adult blindness.

            People with diabetes are at least twice as likely to develop heart disease and suffer heart attacks and strokes. –delgie dones II

For more information about diabetes, visit www.cdc.gov