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According to Diabetes UK, around 1.8 million people within the UK currently suffer from the disease. This number is expected to rise. Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high. This is because the body cannot use the sugar in the blood properly. Glucose originates from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice and potatoes, sugar, sweet foods and the liver, which produces it. Insulin is a hormone that is associated with diabetes. It is produced by the pancreas and is essential for helping glucose to enter the cells where it is used for energy by the body.
The main symptoms of untreated diabetes are thirstiness, constant need to go to the toilet, fatigue, weight loss, genital itching, thrush and blurred vision. There are two main types of the disease. Type 1 which is known as insulin dependent and Type 2 which is known as non-insulin dependent.
Type 1 develops if the body cannot produce insulin. It usually appears prior to reaching the age of 40. It is treated through insulin injections, diet and regular exercise is recommended. Type 2 develops when the body can produce some insulin but still requires more. Sometimes insulin is produced but doesn't work properly. This is called insulin resistance. It is a condition that usually develops in people over the age of 40. it can be treated by dietary changes, exercise and sometimes with the addition of tablets or insulin injections.
The main aim to help sufferers is to try and achieve control and balance of your blood sugar and blood pressure levels. By attempting to slow down or repair the development of the disease, you can improve general health and with a healthy lifestyle, you can help in protecting yourself against long term damage to your eyes, kidneys, nerves, major arteries and the heart. Diet and exercise levels are extremely influential in the prevention and treatment of such a disease. Obesity and this disease are very closely linked so it is strongly advisable to lose weight, eat healthily and take regular physical activity to try and combat the effects and reverse the condition which will improve your health and help you to look and feel much better for longer.
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