Diabetes Chronic Illness Outline free essay sample

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there are high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. See also: Diabetes Gestational diabetes Type 2 diabetes Causes Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. However, it is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents, or young adults. Insulin is a hormone produced by special cells, called beta cells, in the pancreas. The pancreas is found behind your stomach. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells, where it is stored and later used for energy. In type 1 diabetes, beta cells produce little or no insulin. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy. This leads to the symptoms of type 1 diabetes. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Most likely it is an  autoimmune disorder. An infection or some other trigger causes the body to mistakenly attack the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. We will write a custom essay sample on Diabetes Chronic Illness Outline or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This kind of disorder can be passed down through families. Symptoms These symptoms may be the first signs of type 1 diabetes, or may occur when the blood sugar is high: Being very thirsty Feeling hungry Feeling tired or  fatigued Having blurry eyesight Losing the feeling or feeling tingling in your feet Losing weight without trying Urinating more often For other people, these warning symptoms may be the first signs of type 1 diabetes, or they may happen when the blood sugar is very high (see:  diabetic ketoacidosis): Deep, rapid breathing Dry skin and mouth Flushed face Fruity breath odor Nausea or vomiting, inability to keep down fluids Stomach pain Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can develop quickly in people with diabetes who are taking insulin. Symptoms usually appear when the blood sugar level falls below 70 mg/dL. Watch for: Headache Hunger Nervousness Rapid heartbeat (palpitations) Shaking Sweating Weakness Exams and Tests Diabetes is diagnosed with the following blood tests: Fasting blood glucose  level diabetes is diagnosed if it is higher than 126 mg/dL two times Random (nonfasting) blood glucose  level you may have diabetes if it is higher than 200 mg/dL, and you have symptoms such as increased thirst, urination, and fatigue (this must be confirmed with a fasting test) Oral glucose tolerance test   diabetes is diagnosed if the glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL after 2 hours Hemoglobin A1c test Normal: Less than 5. 7% Pre-diabetes: Between 5. 7% and 6. 4% Diabetes: 6. 5% or higher Ketone testing is also sometimes used. The ketone test is done using a  urine sample  or  blood sample. Ketone testing may be done: When the blood sugar is higher than 240 mg/dL During an illness such as pneumonia, heart attack, or stroke When nausea or vomiting occur During pregnancy The following tests or exams will help you and your doctor monitor your diabetes and prevent problems caused by diabetes: Check the skin and bones on your feet and legs. Check to see if your feet are getting numb.