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Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that involve the hormone insulin -- which, among other things, regulates the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing sufficient insulin, or the body's cells don't react properly to the insulin being produced, resulting in high blood sugar. Among the long-term complications of diabetes are cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, stroke, eye damage and even death. Worldwide, roughly 415 million people have developed this illness.
SEEK HELP FOR THESE SYMPTOMS:
* Frequent urination and the presence of ketones -- a by-product of muscle and fat breakdown -- in the urine
* Increased thirst and hunger
* Sudden and ongoing weight loss
* Fatigue
* Blurry Vision
* Constant infections, predominantly of the gums, skin or vagina
* Sores that heal slowly
TREATMENT:
For moderate cases, losing weight can help manage the symptoms. High-glucose foods such as honey, processed breakfast cereals, cake, ice cream and sugary drinks should be avoided and replaced with a diet of vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Most fruits are good, though it's best to limit the consumption of plums, cherries, blueberries, grapes and bananas, which are naturally high in glucose. Also helpful is performing regular aerobic exercise, which lowers blood glucose levels by using sugar for energy. For people with chronic diabetes, insulin therapy -- which typically involves self-administered injections -- may be necessary.
* Insulin injections help move sugar from the blood into other body tissues, where it's used for energy.