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Diabetes – Causes and Prevention

A diagnosis of diabetes can be a scary thing, but information will make the disease less daunting. There are two types of diabetes. Type I diabetes is generally contracted during childhood and is characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin. Because insulin is responsible for processing sugars in the bloodstream, absence of insulin will cause sugar levels to fluctuate wildly. Type II diabetes is usually contracted during adulthood. It is characterized by a resistance to insulin, meaning that the body is producing insulin, but the body's system does not allow it to do its job.

Causes
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is predetermined at birth. A child can do nothing to cause or prevent the condition, and will likely need to take insulin to control the condition. Glucose meters will help track levels and determine dosages in the case of Type I. There is little known about what causes adults to contract Type II diabetes. However, there are links to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Not all obese people contract diabetes, and not all adults who are diagnosed with diabetes are obese, but statistics have shown that an unhealthy body weight and the intake of high amounts of sugars and simple carbohydrates can lead to insulin resistance. Type II can often be controlled without medication, with a strict diabetes diet.

Prevention
Obviously, there is no way to prevent Type I diabetes. There are steps you can take to better your chances of avoiding Type II diabetes. First, maintain good eating habits and a healthy body weight. Even if you do not have the disease, take the time to look at your local library for books on diabetic recipes. A diabetes diet will offer a balanced diet of foods that will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, even if you do not have diabetes. A regular exercise regimen is paramount; it is good for the heart, the vascular system, and it burns excess sugars.

Prevention of Complications
If, despite your efforts, you are diagnosed with diabetes, there are measures you can take to prevent further complications. Your doctor will recommend a diabetes diet that is right for your age, weight, and lifestyle. Be sure to adhere to it, using diabetic recipes to ensure that you are not eating hidden sugars. A diabetes diet will help you avoid those foods that affect your blood sugar levels most dramatically. Keep glucose meters handy at home and at school or work to track your levels. Not only will those levels tell you what you need at that moment to stabilize your blood sugar, but over time, glucose meters will indicate patterns, such as a daily drop in blood sugar in the afternoons. With the proper use of these tools, you can prevent further complications.