Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism (i.e. the way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy). It is an autoimmune disease that can play havoc with the body’s organs and circulatory systems.
Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body.
After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach.
When we eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into our cells. In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. Glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body in the urine. Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.
Circulation Complications Of Diabetes
Vascular disease is most common in diabetics. There are two kinds of vascular diseases, microvascular and macrovascular disease. The two differ due to the kinds of veins they affect. Microvascular disease is for smaller blood vessels and macrovascular for the arteries. Microvascular disease affect the diabetics vision, the extremities most especially numbness in the legs or feet and kidney damage. Macrovascualr disease usually focuses on the heart and its functions as well as possibilities of a stroke and other disease that affect the feet and muscles.
Is Diabetes Curable?
At the present time, diabetes is not curable. But it can be managed and controlled. With proper medicines, diet, and exercise the person with diabetes can live a close to normal life.
Diabetics have increased in number in the recent years. This may be due mainly to the increase of the world’s population. If you are prone to diabetes, it is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle and consult a doctor regarding the proper diet and exercises. You may need to delve into your family’s health history to find out if you are susceptible to the disease. The disease may be triggered by the wrong diet and lifestyle that you lead.