{"id":1499,"date":"2017-04-20T12:00:50","date_gmt":"2017-04-20T19:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warnerfamilypractice.net\/?p=1499"},"modified":"2017-05-30T13:43:09","modified_gmt":"2017-05-30T20:43:09","slug":"basic-information-about-diabetes-including-symptoms-and-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warnerfamilypractice.net\/basic-information-about-diabetes-including-symptoms-and-treatments\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information About Diabetes Including Symptoms and Treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyday you hear more and more about diabetes – as Americans age, concern over diabetes grows and searches for basic information about diabetes increase. According to the United States Center for Disease Control, in 2014 29 million people in the U.S. had some form of diabetes. With approximately 318 million people in the United States, nearly 1 in every 10 Americans experience diabetic symptoms. With such a high percentage of diabetics, it is nearly certain that you are directly related or connected to someone who lives with diabetes.<\/p>\n

If you or a family member has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, then you probably have a lot of questions. In this post, we will provide basic information about diabetes, as well as answers to some of your questions so you know what you are facing and what you should be doing next.<\/p>\n

The Importance of Insulin in Your Body<\/h3>\n

When talking basic information about diabetes, the best place to start is with insulin. Insulin is used by the body to help absorb sugar, also known as glucose. Cells absorb glucose to produce energy but without insulin, they are unable to do so. Insulin also keeps your blood sugar from getting too high or too low.<\/p>\n

When your body\u2019s ability to produce or respond to insulin is impaired, that is the start of diabetes.<\/p>\n

The Two Types of Diabetes<\/h3>\n

Another piece of basic information about diabetes is identifying the two main types: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin being produced by the body. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the inability to use insulin effectively.<\/p>\n

Type 1 is less common and often develops in children. With this type of diabetes, the immune system is actually destroying the cells that are responsible for releasing insulin into the body. Because of this, insulin cannot be produced in the body.<\/p>\n

Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age but it is most commonly seen in adults. However, that does not mean that children cannot develop type 2 diabetes. It is the most common type, making up 90-95 percent of diabetes patients. With this type, the body is not able to use insulin in the proper way. This is also called insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

Type 2 diabetes can get worse over time if it is not treated. Also with type 2 diabetes, something called insulin deficiency can occur; over time the pancreas actually starts making less and less insulin.<\/p>\n

The Main Difference Between the Two Types of Diabetes<\/h3>\n

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are not created equal, even though they have to do with the same issue in the body. There are three main differences between the two:<\/p>\n