Our health topic for the week is about diabetes. This health concern is most widespread and if left untreated can be life-threatening. Diabetes involves changes in the way our bodies use sugar as glucose. This glucose molecule is essential to our body’s ability to get energy from the food we eat. However with diabetes, the pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin to break down the sugar.
The onset of Diabetes is a factor of years of poor eating habits, lack of exercise, or genetics. There are ways to both prevent and treat diabetes. Prevention is best achieved through a healthy diet and regular exercise. For those already suffering from diabetes, pursuing a healthy lifestyle is no longer optional but essential.
There are two types of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) and both forms involve the body not being able to process blood sugar. The first signs that many people will notice is increase hunger and thirst. Increased hunger is a response to the lack of energy the body’s cells are producing. Increased thirst is the body’s attempt to cleanse itself of the glucose build up in the bloodstream. Another sign is frequent urination with or without the increase of thirst.
Diabetes can be diagnosed with routine tests in order to prevent dangerous symptoms later in life. If these symptoms occur it’s important to talk to a doctor. Let us take advantage of this as we prepare for the next move of God.
Additional Articles: