Five Facts About Diabetes
By Sigrid Vargas

Unfortunately, more than half a million individuals in the United States are diagnosed every year of diabetes, the worse of it yet is that a big number of individuals contract the disease without their knowledge. Diabetes that is left unmanaged can lead to other health concerns that will inevitably put the diabetic in peril. With millions of the baby boomer generation becoming sexagenarians, we can expect that the number of diabetics in the United States will continue to rise.

·Eating sugar. It is a common misconception that consuming large amounts of table sugar will lead to acquiring the disease. In fact, diabetes is a disease where the body is not able to manufacture or improperly metabolize and store glucose. The term sugar relates to the simple sugar glucose. Glucose not being absorbed or transferred to the cells causes a build-up in the blood and spills over the kidneys passing to our urine. The normal body sugar in the blood can be as high as 160 milligrams per decilitre and can be as low as 60 milligrams per decilitre. The higher limit is normal after eating the lower limit is normal when fasting.

·Who can be diabetic. Anyone can contract the disease. However, individuals with a family history of the disease are more prone to develop it. Other factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, leading to high cholesterol, high blood pressure may lead to developing the disease. Age will also come into consideration as people who are overweight and over 40 are more likely to develop diabetes. Baby boomers readily fall into this category. Women who have developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy are also at a greater chance of developing full-blown diabetes later in life.

·Diet. People who have contracted diabetes whether type 1 or type 2 need to plan meals. Extra attention needs to be given to the food they eat. It doesn't mean that everything sweet has to be packed with artificial sweeteners. A well planned meal includes a portion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins taken during the day. In fact, anyone diabetic or not should watch what they put in their bodies.

·Treatment. There is no direct treatment for diabetes, however, the disease can be managed so as to prevent complications and to further progress the disease uncontrolled. A balanced diet, an exercise program and medication can help prevent the complications of the disease.

·Complications. Other health problems in eyesight, like cataracts leading to blindness are one complication of diabetes if the disease is left unmanaged. Other health concerns are heart ailments, stroke and kidney failure are among the several detrimental complications of diabetes. Blood vessel disease that requires an amputation, nerve damage, and impotence in men are also other routes that the disease may bring the afflicted.

The older the individual, the greater the risk of getting diabetes, but children are no excuse either, other factors such as genetics play an important role in the passing on of the disease from parents to offspring. The key to averting the complications of diabetes is early detection, if diabetes is detected early, the prescribed mode of managing the disease can be acted on earlier.

Are you a baby boomer who is starting to experience symptoms of diabetes? Or do you have a relative who's been suffering from this disease? Share your experience with others at Boomer Yearbook.

Boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

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