Every year, thousands of Americans are stricken with diabetes.  Diabetes is a medical disorder in which the body does not make or use insulin properly.  Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by the pancreas.  The main function of insulin is to metabolize glucose.  The human body makes glucose from fat, such as butter and bacon, from proteins, like chicken and beef, and primarily from carbohydrates, such as breads and sugars.  Glucose runs throughout the body’s bloodstream and it is what our body uses for energy.  Without insulin, the human body would not be able to use glucose.

Diabetes may present in different ways.  A person may be diagnosed as pre-diabetic, Type I diabetic, Type II diabetic or may have gestational diabetes.  Diabetes symptoms include but are not limited to increased thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss and blurred vision.  In cases of Type II diabetes, the patient may experience frequent infections specifically of the skin, gums or bladder.  They may also have slow to heal cuts or bruises and even tingling or numbness of the extremities.  If an individual were to experience these symptoms they should seek care from a medical professional.  After running a series of tests, the patient may be diagnosed as diabetic.

A diagnosis of diabetes does not necessarily mean that a person’s quality of life will decrease.  Oftentimes, diabetes is easily managed with diet and close monitoring of the patient’s insulin levels.  Diabetic patients can monitor their own insulin levels by using a variety of readily available medical supplies.  Some medical supplies used for diabetes include lancets, test strips and meters.  Lancets are used to prick the diabetic person’s fingers, palm or arm to obtain a blood sample.  The test strip is used to draw up a small sample of the blood.  The test strip is then inserted into the meter.  The meter tests the blood sample and lets the patient know what their blood sugar level is.  These medical supplies can be purchased online or at a local pharmacy.

It is important that a diabetic patient learn to live a healthier lifestyle to optimize the management of their conditions.  Diet and exercise are very important in controlling diabetes.  There are several diet and exercise plans available online.  However, the patient’s primary care physician will often provide a copy of a diet plan endorsed by the American Diabetes Association.  By monitoring their insulin levels and developing a healthy lifestyle, individuals with diabetes can enjoy a long, happy life.