It is important to answer the question is there a cure for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependant diabetes. It is a chronic condition that affects the metabolism of sugar in the body, which is primary source of fuel. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body’s resistance to the effects of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that takes care of the movement of sugar into the cells. Alternatively the body does not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. If left untreated, diabetes develop complications that can be life-threatening. So, is there a cure for diabetes? Type 2 diabetes has no cure. However, it can be effectively managed and prevented. A healthy and balanced diet is the first step toward preventing onset of diabetes. Exercise and weight management are also important. Blood sugar levels can be maintained with the help of oral medications and insulin therapy. The most  [...]

A level of more than 120 mg/dl during fasting is one of the dangerous blood sugar levels. In order to maintain proper blood glucose levels, diabetics may need to take oral medications and, in some cases, insulin medications. Making appropriate lifestyle changes can assist in curbing the effects of the disease. Exercise and healthy diet are crucial in the management of the disease. This, however, does not eliminate the risks of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia manifests itself when the blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg/dl. Skipping meals, forgetting an important snack, or failure to consume the right number of carbohydrates may aggravate the condition. Strenuous exercise and illness may result in hypoglycemia. Certain medications prescribed for diabetes may cause a drop in blood sugar levels, especially in the night. Hyperglycemia sees elevated levels of blood sugar. Sometime the blood sugar levels cross 240 mg/dl. This varies across individuals. Often,  [...]

It is very important to answer the question how does insulin work. Paul Langerhans, a German scientist, was the first to highlight the importance of insulin. He first discovered presence of cell patches in the tissues of pancreas. The cells acquired the term islets of Langerhans as they resembled small islands. The supply of blood in the islets of Langerhans is rich. They are known to contain two types of cells: alpha and beta. The beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for the production of insulin, which helps in the regulation of blood glucose. Diabetes can be prevented if the levels of blood glucose are maintained properly. Significance of Insulin Increase in level of glucose in the blood causes the pancreas to secrete more insulin. These increased levels of insulin circulate throughout the body and enable the cells of the liver and muscles to extract glucose from the blood, instantaneously. When the cells of the liver and muscles  [...]