Diabetes

3 MOST COMMON TYPES OF DIABETES

1) TYPE 1 - usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10% of all diabetes cases. In TYPE 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone or protein the body must have to move glucose from the bloodstream into the body's cells. With it, our body is able to break down the carbohydrates we eat into blood sugar which our body uses for its energy.

2) TYPE 2 - most common form of diabetes and most often diagnosed in older adults. In TYPE 2 diabetes, the body does make insulin. However, the cells in our body cannot respond or absorb the insulin adequately. The causes are not fully understood by researchers, scientists or doctors. What they all agree on is that genetic makeup, age, excess weight, and inactivity do contribute to one's development of TYPE 2 diabetes.

3) GESTATIONAL - this form of diabetes can appear during pregnancy only and must be treated immediately. It is a scary diagnosis for a young mother because it can indicate a high risk for TYPE 2 diabetes later in life.

While all forms of diabetes are serious conditions to deal with, TYPE 1 diabetes is by far the worse. TYPE 1 can be controlled to a certain extent, but it cannot be completely cured. TYPE 2 diabetes can be managed and completely reversed by following a good nutritional program, increased physical activity and the use of professionally prescribed medications. And, GESTATIONAL diabetes is most often temporary.

If you experience any of the following "WARNING SIGNS" of diabetes that appear on your skin, it is time to visit one of our BluMine Health clinics where you can be seen by a healthcare professional.

• Yellow, reddish or brown patches on your skin - the look is similar to a group of pimples.
• Hard, thickening skin - usually noticed on fingers or the back of your hands first but can spread to forearms, upper arms, back and shoulders.
• Darker areas of skin that feel like velvet - usually appear on the creases in the neck first.
• Blisters - rare, but may suddenly appear on the skin as one large blister or a patch of smaller blisters, or both.
• Skin infections - this condition may manifest in a number of different ways: hot swollen skin that is painful, dry itchy rash (scaly skin) or it may be a white discharge. The skin infection may occur on any part of your body.
• Open sores and wounds - extended periods of high levels of blood sugar can lead to poor blood circulation and also cause nerve damage which inhibits your body's ability to heal wounds. These open sores or wounds are commonly referred to as diabetic ulcers.
• Skin spots - brown lines on the shin's skin that causes a slight impression, similar to age spots. Unlike age spots, shin spots fade over periods of time, usually 18 - 24 months. They can be recurring.
• Skin tags - small skin growth that hang - usually on the eyelids, neck, armpit or groin.