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Your grandmother had it, your Uncle Al suffered form it, and your Aunt Libbey actually died from it. What are your chances of contracting diabetes as you get older?
Pretty good, according to some scientists, because diabetes tends to be an inherited disease. But this doesn’t mean that you absolutely must contract diabetes, and even people with no previous family history of this disease can be diagnosed with it under certain circumstances.
Although there is a certain form of diabetes which is prevalent among children, the more common type of diabetes mellitus (DM) starts appearing in people as they grow older. Symptoms include excessive urination, increased thirst and hunger, fatigue, and weight loss. Because diabetes suppresses the body’s immune system, people with DM ae more likely to contract infections, which can turn life-threatening if not treated properly.
DM occures when the body either can’t manufacture a hormone called insulin, or it can’t properly use the insulin or hand. Without proper amounts of insulin, the body can’t use glucose (blood sugar). The glucose builds up in the bloodstream, and the body tries to get rid of the excess blood sugar by dumping it into the urine. Left untreated, a diabetic person can got into shock and may even die.
Depending on the seriousness of the disease, diabetics are treated with insulin (oral or injections) and/or changes in diet and exercise. And therein lies the key for avoiding diabetes altogether.
Scientific studies show that a diet low in fat and simple sugars, and high in complex carbohydrates and fiber can help the body balance blood sugar and reduce weight. Even people with moderate diabetes can reverse the disease by making dietary changes as soon after diagnosis as possible.
Obesity is often linked directly to the onset of diabetes in older people, so exercise is another component for diabetes avoidance. Scientists believe that exercise, especially aerobic exercise, can help the body use insulin.
Finally, if you are older and at all at risk for contracting diabetes, have a regular analysis done for diabetes detection. Make if as much a part of your health regimen as a yearly checkup or mammography. The sooner diabetes is detected, the sooner it can be treated – and maybe even reversed.
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