Diabetes is the scourge of modern man. It is characterized by high blood sugar which the body is unable to process correctly by shunting the excess into the cells of the body where it can be used for energy. Blood sugar, or glucose, rises after every meal. It is the responsibility of the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone which "opens up" the cells of the body so they can absorb glucose.

Unfortunately, for the diabetic something goes wrong and the glucose remains in the bloodstream where it begins to do significant damage to many organs of the body including the heart and kidneys.

The reasons why glucose remains in the blood are due either to the lack of insulin production by the pancreas or the cells of the body have become resistant to accepting glucose even when enough insulin is available. The former case, called Type One diabetes counts for only 10% of all diabetics and mostly strikes people at a young age. Type two diabetes is more prevalent. It often affects during middle age and strikes many who are overweight and live a sedentary lifestyle.

Whether type one or two, complications will result unless it is treated. The four most prevalent complications are:

Nephropathy: Excess glucose damages the functioning of the kidneys. 60% of all people on dialysis are diabetic. The kidneys attempt to flush out excess blood sugar, but in doing so it also flushes out many of the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to function properly. If nutrients are not replaced, this leads to a downward spiral where death ultimately results. Diabetics must replace what they lose more than the average non-diabetic. Unfortunately, the diets of the average person today lacks the minimum requirements of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for proper health. This insures that many diabetics are headed for dialysis as their kidneys fail.

Retinopathy: Many diabetics eventually go blind as glucose starts to damage the fine nerves in the eyes. Diabetics are at greater risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and other problems associated with the eyes. Seeing an eye care specialist is a necessity. While drugs do help to reduce blood sugar to normal levels, they do nothing if nerves have been significantly damaged.

Neuropathy: Similarly, the delicate nerves in the feet are affected leading to loss of sensation. The diabetic does not feel pain when stepping on a sharp object. Infection can set in leading to gangrene and eventually amputation to save the person's life. Numbness in the hands and feet, tingling and nerve pain are the symptoms that the nerves are dying. It is important for anyone with diabetes to have their feet checked for nerve damage.

Cardiovascular Disease: Fully 90% of type two diabetics are overweight and obese. Too much fat makes the heart work harder. It has been shown that losing a few pounds can greatly reduce the chance of becoming diabetic or improve blood sugar control for those who have diabetes. Most diabetics also have high blood pressure, live a stressful life and have poor eating habits. Diabetics age faster, far beyond their years. Heart attack and stroke are common to diabetics. Evidence appears to point out another type of diabetes as excess blood sugar may be the direct cause of Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Diabetes is a wasting disease. It is estimated that some 20 million Americans are diabetic while an additional 7 million don't know they have it as symptoms don't show up. While no cure exists, diabetes can be prevented. If you have diabetes, you can reverse the complications by changing your diet, exercise and eliminate the bad habits that have brought diabetes into your life. As type one diabetics must take insulin for the rest of their lives, type two diabetics can take steps to control the disease and prevent the damage that can occur so they can live healthy lives.