Diabetes Health Risks

Are You At Risk?

Diabetes health risks occur when there is malfunction of the Lange Hans Glands, situated in the pancreas, to produce insulin. Insulin enables the body to dissolve sugar into energy for the muscles. So the sugar stays in the blood. This causes the body tissues to get tender and they start deteriorating faster than normal.

Information on How Diabetes Works

TYPE 1 DIABETES - Usually occurs in children and young adults, but diabetes health risks can develop at any age. People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin every day.

TYPE 2 DIABETES - Usually occurs in adults who overweight, are in their middle or later years, and have family members with diabetes. Many people can control this type of diabetes with diet, weight loss and exercise. Some will also need diabetes pills or insulin. Type 2 diabetes symptoms can be very gradual and may not be noticed.

To take care of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, a person needs to eat healthy foods, exercise, take medicine if it is prescribed, and see a doctor on a regular basis.

Without diagnosis and treatment, the health risks of diabetes may result in long-term complications, such as blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or amputation.

A normal blood sugar range is considered to be 80-120 mg/dl.

Early Symptoms of Children and Adult Onset Diabetes:

Age (The risk grows with age)

Weight Underweight - Average Weight - Overweight - Obese
(The risk is higher if you are overweight. In some cases losing weight has caused a considerable decrease in blood sugar levels)

Exercise Totally Inactive ~ Occasionally Exercise ~ Regularly 3 times a week or more
(The risk is greater for people who do not exercise, you should start very easy, if you have been inactive)

Descent African - European - Indian/S.E.Asian - Asian - Hispanic
(African and Hispanic descent increases the risk)

Diabetes In Family None - Parent - Sibling - Other relative
(Diabetes can be genetic, to some degree)

Please consult your doctor for information on how diabetes works if you suspect that you may have diabetes. There are many diabetes health risks and long-term complications are possible if not diagnosed and treated.