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by: JuliaHanf
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Diabetes is a disease that is growing rapidly among individuals over 20. Speculations as to the cause of the disease are great in number, but not specific. What is known is that diabetes can be directly linked to the pancreas. Insulin, which is produced in the pancreas, acts to regulate blood sugar levels in healthy individuals. As a secondary function, insulin assists the body in using fat and protein. When this metabolic process is tampered with, problems arise.

Diabetes has been around since the 19th century. In 2005, 1.5 million people were diagnosed with the disease. Today, it's prevalence is astounding. Overall, 20.8 million people have the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. Of those diagnosed, 175,600 or .22% have Type I. Type I refers to one of three categorized forms of diabetes. Type I diabetes is a result of the body's inability to produce insulin. Of the three is it the least common. Once diagnosed, the individual will have to manage the disease for the rest of his or her life.

Unlike Type II, Type I diabetes is irreversible. Once diagnosed, Type I carries severe consequences if not cared for properly. Type I diabetes is when the body does not produce insulin anymore. Whether it's because the pancreas is damaged or the cells that produce insulin have been destroyed, the metabolic processes that occur in healthy individuals aren't working anymore. It is at this point that the pancreas needs outside help to function. Insulin is the only alternative. Warning signs that you may be in pre-diabetic stages include excessive thirst, excessive hunger, rapid weight loss, fatigue, irritability and mood swings. If you think you may be at risk, your doctor can perform tests to determine your blood sugar level and pancreas function.

When the sugar level in your blood is too high, you have diabetes. In Type I diabetes, the level of sugar is not only high, it is out of control. The reason being the body has stopped production of the required quantity of insulin. As a result, type I diabetes patient needs two to five insulin shots per day, to keep the blood sugar levels under control.

Insulin is a chemical substance in the body that is essential to keep blood sugar levels normal. Its second function is- it assists the body to use fat and protein. An organ near the stomach, pancreas, is the production headquarters of insulin.

The causes of Type I Diabetes can be listed as: 1) Your body just stops making insulin. 2) The pancreas gets damaged. 3) The cells that make insulin are destroyed.

Initially, when a part of the cells in the body are destroyed, you may not know that you have diabetes. When the destruction of the cells is complete, disaster awaits you. Now you suddenly realize what all problems you had were due to some vague reasons. You neglected the early warnings.

But, what were those warnings? You suddenly lost weight and then you thought that you were evolving into a fit personality. You used bathroom a lot, your hunger almost seized you and you were happy about it. When you became very thirsty, you thought that drinking lots of water is good for health. A nature cure fad had advised you about it. You had blurred vision, you got your eyes tested and you bought a glass and sunglass too. You felt tired but you thought that all hard and sincere workers get tired-not once a thought streaked into your mind, that you must have a check up! And you now have a life-long companion, Diabetes Type I.

There are four ways to categorize insulin: rapid acting, regular or short-acting, intermediate and long acting. Characteristics of insulin include onset, peak time and duration. Onset refers to the time before insulin reaches the bloodstream. Peak time is when the insulin is at its most effective state in lowering blood glucose levels. Duration is how long the insulin continues to work. Depending on the individual and lifestyle, a doctor can determine which type is most beneficial for the diabetic. The various types are either created in a lab or derived from animals.

So, what is to be done? Nothing precisely can cure this problem. But something that can not be cured must be endured. If you take proper diet, and exercise regularly, you can still live happily, even in the company of diabetes.

Diabetes requires constant management and monitoring, as any life-threatening disease demands. Conditions associated with Type I diabetes include hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis. Complications inlcluding heart disease, kidney disease, eye complications. Diabetic neuropathy and nerve damage, foot complications, skin complications, gastroparesis and depression can cause symptoms and complications that make life more difficult for the diabetic. Most of diabetes complications are directly related to how well an individual cares for themselves and his or her blood sugar levels. Life with diabetes can be normal as long as a healthy lifestyle is adopted and practiced.

About the Author

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.

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