Diabetes

What is it?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

Diabetes Type 1

When the body's fails to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them, we speak of diabetes type 1. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed diabetes, so it's less common than type 2.

Diabetes Type 2

When the body becomes resistant against insulin (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency we speak of diabetes type 2. Most people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic feet

Neuropathy is a major complication of diabetes that may cause you to lose feeling in your feet or hands. This means you won't know right away if you hurt yourself. The problem affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes.

With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that's too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases your blood flow, so your injuries are slow to heal. When your wound is not healing, it's at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections spread quickly.

Tips:

If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts and nail problems. Check for sensation in each foot.