Diabetes is a scourge of the developed world. It causes major systemic problems, including blindness and neuropathy, in anyone unlucky enough to suffer from it. In many cases, however, diabetes is perfectly avoidable with correct nutrition. Sometimes, however, symptoms appear even if the person appears otherwise healthy.
Causes of diabetes
Diabetes appears when the body is unable to either produce or use enough insulin to reduce the body's blood sugar level. In type 1 diabetes, the body simply does not produce enough insulin. The overall cause is not known, but genetics are a known factor. In any case, patients with this type of diabetes must inject insulin throughout their lives. Failure to do so eventually causes death. In type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced, but the body cannot use it effectively due to a condition called insulin resistance. The most common cause is obesity, but there are other known causes, such as pancreatic defects and side effects from certain psychotropic medications.
Symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is an insidious disease in that it can cause a large variety of symptoms, but there are two initial symptoms that show up somewhat more often than others. A "pins-and-needles" feeling in the extremities is a first sign of neuropathy brought on by diabetes. This particular symptom is more specific, meaning its presence tends to point to diabetes specifically. The other symptom, fatigue, is more general. When blood sugar is chronically high, a person does not have much energy. This symptom is not specific, so a fasting blood sugar test is the only way to obtain a differential diagnosis.
Diabetes is one the major diseases associated with a rich, western lifestyle. Once you have it, it is very hard to control. As such, the best way to avoid getting type 2 diabetes is to watch what you eat from day one. Everything in moderation naturally moderates blood sugar, after all.
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