Diabetes Misconceptions- Science Blog Post

Everyone has a connection with someone bearing this decease. In fact, approximately 370 million people are affected worldwide.  But what exactly is Diabetes? There are millions of misconceptions, so hopefully you'll come away with this and have a whole other view.

Type One Diabetes:

This is also cause juvenile diabetes, because it is often diagnosed during childhood. Only 5% of people with diabetes have Type One Diabetes. When you have this, an organ in your body called the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. The body breaks down glucose (sugar) and starches to produce energy for your body. Insulin is a hormone which gets glucose from the bloodstream and into the body's cells.  To ensure that you receive enough insulin, you must inject yourself with it when you eat carbohydrates. It is not the person's fault if they get Type One Diabetes; We do not know the cause of this decease.  Type One Diabetes is a lifelong decease, but fortunately can be managed.

Type Two Diabetes:
This is the most common type of diabetes. It is caused when your blood glucose raises to a level that is higher than normal, also know as hyperglycemia. Your body forms insulin resistance.  In other words, isn't able to keep up with producing enough insulin.  To solve this, you must inject yourself with insulin.  This form of Diabetes is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.  If you change your lifestyle to a healthy one, you can cure yourself of this decease.

Gestational Diabetes:
This type happens when the woman is pregnant, normally around the 24th week.  But it's important for your doctor to monitor the woman's blood glucose so that she and her baby will both be healthy.  When diagnosed with this, it does not mean you had it before or will continue to have it.  Gestational Diabetes is temporary.


For more information, visit the American Diabetes Association's website at http://www.diabetes.org/