The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing world over. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal.

It is estimated that more than 2000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed everyday in the United States alone. While symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are usually obvious, Type 2 often shows few or no symptoms.

After a meal, food is broken down into a sugar called glucose, which is carried by the blood to cells through out the body. Cells use the hormone insulin, made in the pancreas, to process blood glucose into energy. Diabetics have problems converting food to energy.

People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver and fat do not use insulin properly. Eventually, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to fulfill the body’s needs. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starved of energy. Over the years high blood glucose damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complication such as heart ailments, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections and amputation.

Rapid increase in population, increased longevity and high ethnic susceptibility to diabetes, coupled with rapid urbanization and deviation from traditional lifestyle continue to trigger diabetes cases. While a lot of work is underway to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, people at risk should be screened regularly to prevent the ailment. And those who have already been detected with diabetes should aim to keep their sugar level under control.

Managing type 2 diabetes means making a few changes in how you live. The basics:

1. Eat right

2. Manage your weight

3. Be physically active

4. Don’t smoke

5. Keep you blood sugar under control. It can help reduce the risk of diabetes related problems later.

6. Your healthcare provider may prescribe diabetes medicines

Many people have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms may be so mild that you don’t even notice them. Here is what to look for

1. Increased thirst

2. Increased hunger

3. Fatigue

4. Increased urination especially at night

5. Weight loss

6. Blurred vision

7. Sores that do not heal

8. Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush

One in every six people with diabetes will have foot ulcer during their lifetime, each year, four million people worldwide get a foot ulcer. Cost of treating foot problems is enormous. Majority of the patient’s only report after they have infected foot ulcers with systemic complication. It is important to diagnose the problem at the earliest in order cure the foot problem.