Diabetes is the Leading Cause of Blindness in 20 – 74 Year Olds

The statistic that “diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20–74 years” is startling. Those recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus may be overwhelmed with the level of care they must provide for their body, but being dismissive can lead to devastating eye problems.

High blood sugar increases the risk of diabetes related eye problems. It causes the lens of a person’s eye to swell, which can result in temporary blurred vision. Getting your blood sugar under control can restore your normal vision, but this can take months. It is imperative that before and after each meal you check your levels to keep the blood sugar in the correct range.

Blurred vision may, however, be a symptom of a more severe eye problem; one that might not go away with time. Cataracts and glaucoma are eye diseases that can result from diabetes mellitus if you do not go to regular ophthalmology visits.

Developing cataracts, a clouding of the lens, will make it very difficult to focus as it creates a blurred vision field. Although, cataracts are typically associated with older folks, diabetes doesn’t discriminate and anyone who doesn’t keep their blood sugar under control can develop cataracts. The treatment is typically surgery with a lens implant.

Glaucoma occurs when the fluid inside the eye isn’t able to drain properly. This causes pressure on the nerves, which can result in a change of vision. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms of glaucoma until the disease is advanced and there is an apparent loss of vision. Those who are diagnosed with diabetes will be under careful watch and continually monitored with glaucoma screenings during their eye doctor visits.

There are so many reasons to keep up with your diabetes management. There is no reason that anyone should suffer from eye disease because of their diabetes. Being attentive to your care, making and keeping eye doctor appointments will help you keep your eyes safe.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/#Blindness

Gestational Diabetes and the Importance of Effective Glucose Management During Pregnancy

By now, hopefully most Americans know that diabetes can develop in otherwise-healthy individuals over time, brought on by high sugar intake and weight gain. In some instances, the diagnosis can come out of nowhere; however, in most cases, it’s a gradual process.

People who consume high quantities of sugar, fatty foods, and rarely exercise need to be aware of the risk and improve their lifestyle before the symptoms of diabetes start to appear.

The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes, quite literally comes out of nowhere; women who previously exhibited no symptoms of diabetes start to exhibit high glucose levels during pregnancy. And unlike Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, there are few symptoms for gestational diabetes.

This ailment afflicts roughly 3-10 percent of pregnancies, leading some medical experts to conclude it’s a natural occurrence. But that’s of little consolation to mothers who have it: babies born to mothers with the disease tend to be abnormally large, have low blood sugars, and jaundice. Fortunately, gestational diabetes can be treated by effectively managing one’s blood sugar levels.

Therefore, if you are pregnant, it is critical to talk to your doctor about this and to closely watch your diet.

Understanding the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

It would not be an understatement to say that America is facing an epidemic in terms of the growth of Type 2 diabetes.

And if there’s any good news to be found in this development, it is the fact that Type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed through exercise and diet. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for Type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is far less common yet far more serious than Type 2 diabetes. Without proper diabetes care, Type 1 diabetics who fail to effectively manage their blood sugars may face blindness or even amputation. In addition, recent research found that Type 1 diabetics face an increased risk of heart disease if they fail to manage their glucose levels.

Type 1 diabetes is best described as an autoimmune condition in which white blood cells attack the pancreas and render it unable to produce insulin. Lacking insulin, cells cannot be enriched with glucose, which helps regulate the body’s metabolism. As a result, Type 1 diabetes must check provide their bodies with insulin and check their levels multiple times a day.

And fortunately, many recent medical advances such as insulin pumps have helped to make the lives of Type 1 diabetics manageable and routine.

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