There is currently an epidemic that began during the 1990s and has not ended. It is not a microbial disease with a defined source, but rather a consequence of lifestyle that crosses all social and ethnic lines. While the causes are complex, it has paralleled the onslaught of obesity plaguing most modern societies. Diabetes treatment in The Woodlands TX helps combat this illness on a personal level.
Even though it is frequently in the news, many people are unclear about what a diagnosis means personally. The illness is not a single entity, but a group of physical conditions related to metabolism, the chemical processes that must constantly occur to sustain life. Formally termed diabetes mellitus, its hallmark is consistently high blood sugar levels related to production of insulin or a response to existing levels.
The disease has two primary forms. Those having Type 1 produce no insulin, and rely on daily injections. It is the least widespread, comprising around one-tenth of all cases, but those numbers are rising along with increases in Type 2, which is by far the most common. Type 2 is associated by many people with aging, and progresses with time. Being overweight, inactive, and eating poorly all encourage development.
As middle age approaches, many people today develop what is commonly called metabolic syndrome, a precursor of actual diabetes characterized by a preponderance of abdominal fat. Type 2 progresses slowly in comparison to many physical ailments, and maintaining a consistent level of personal concern is difficult. The internal damages it causes may be unseen, or simply ignored.
The positive news is that there are solid, effective treatments available. Diagnosis begins by taking blood tests to confirm over time whether blood sugar levels are consistently high. Although pharmaceutical companies market medications directly to consumers today, there is no single medication that can cure victims quickly and easily. Most people begin treatment with a significant change in eating habits.
Changing habits can be difficult, but the results are overwhelmingly positive. Many people associate diet with losing weight, but that is not the primary intent of improving nutritional intake, although it is one of the most common results. A daily diet is recommended that is roughly divided by half in the form of carbohydrates, one fifth in animal proteins, and the remaining third or less in fats.
The primary barrier for most is making changes to long-term habits. Visual results in the form of weight loss are encouraging, but dietary changes must be combined with aerobic exercise appropriate for age and health. Most people need at least thirty total minutes each day, which need not be done in a single effort. The physical results appear quickly, and benefit every system within the body.
In many cases, these two simple changes in lifestyle can slow down progression, and sometimes halt it completely. People who show little improvement after a period of carefully controlled diet and increased exercise may benefit from medications that help the pancreas produce more insulin, as well as helping individual cells respond more normally to it. While important, medication does not replace exercises and better nutrition.
Even though it is frequently in the news, many people are unclear about what a diagnosis means personally. The illness is not a single entity, but a group of physical conditions related to metabolism, the chemical processes that must constantly occur to sustain life. Formally termed diabetes mellitus, its hallmark is consistently high blood sugar levels related to production of insulin or a response to existing levels.
The disease has two primary forms. Those having Type 1 produce no insulin, and rely on daily injections. It is the least widespread, comprising around one-tenth of all cases, but those numbers are rising along with increases in Type 2, which is by far the most common. Type 2 is associated by many people with aging, and progresses with time. Being overweight, inactive, and eating poorly all encourage development.
As middle age approaches, many people today develop what is commonly called metabolic syndrome, a precursor of actual diabetes characterized by a preponderance of abdominal fat. Type 2 progresses slowly in comparison to many physical ailments, and maintaining a consistent level of personal concern is difficult. The internal damages it causes may be unseen, or simply ignored.
The positive news is that there are solid, effective treatments available. Diagnosis begins by taking blood tests to confirm over time whether blood sugar levels are consistently high. Although pharmaceutical companies market medications directly to consumers today, there is no single medication that can cure victims quickly and easily. Most people begin treatment with a significant change in eating habits.
Changing habits can be difficult, but the results are overwhelmingly positive. Many people associate diet with losing weight, but that is not the primary intent of improving nutritional intake, although it is one of the most common results. A daily diet is recommended that is roughly divided by half in the form of carbohydrates, one fifth in animal proteins, and the remaining third or less in fats.
The primary barrier for most is making changes to long-term habits. Visual results in the form of weight loss are encouraging, but dietary changes must be combined with aerobic exercise appropriate for age and health. Most people need at least thirty total minutes each day, which need not be done in a single effort. The physical results appear quickly, and benefit every system within the body.
In many cases, these two simple changes in lifestyle can slow down progression, and sometimes halt it completely. People who show little improvement after a period of carefully controlled diet and increased exercise may benefit from medications that help the pancreas produce more insulin, as well as helping individual cells respond more normally to it. While important, medication does not replace exercises and better nutrition.
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