What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination

• Excessive thirst

• Unexplained weight loss

• Extreme hunger

• Sudden vision changes

• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

• Feeling very tired much of the time

• Very dry skin

• Sores that are slow to heal

• More infections than usual.

Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes.

What are the types of diabetes?

ype 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

 Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.

Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

What is Glucose?

Glucose is the body' s main source of energy. Glucose, also known as blood sugar originates in plants and is passed up the food chain. When it accumulates in the blood it makes the blood stickier. This makes it hard for the blood to flow, which deprives the body of oxygen and nutrients, hinders white blood cells in fighting infection, and makes dangerous blood clots more likely. Glucose also attaches to proteins all over the body and affects their function

What is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that acts like a key "unlocking" cells so that glucose so that glucose can enter.

What is Insulin Resistance?

A condition in which cells become less responsive to insulin. Boosting the cells sensitivity to insulin overcomes this resistance so insulin has a greater effect.

Is it Possible to Control My Glucose levels Without Medication?

The answer to this question is yes, there may be alot of physicians that would argue against this fact. The truth is that medications treat the symptom and not the root of the problem. The are things that you can do to control and maintain your blood sugar levels. I have spent many hours finding out all things that will help you get control of your blood sugar.

Can I Reverse my Diabetes?

No matter what your condition is, there can always be improvement in your glucose levels. The idea of my book is to show you how to get your body producing insulin and get your cells to be more receptive to insulin.

If you have any questions that we have not answered here please feel free to contact me

Juliahanf@gmail.com