Diabetes is the term used for abnormally high blood glucose levels. When food is consumed the body breaks down the sugars and starches you eat into a simple sugar called glucose, which it uses for energy. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. There are two specific types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin. It is believed to be caused by an autoimmune disorder, where the body mistakenly attacks and destroys the healthy tissue and cells that produce …show more content…
Signs and symptoms for both type 1 and type 2 are similar. These include: increased thirst, increased urination, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, sores that do not heal, unexplained weight loss. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually start quickly, occurring in a matter of days to weeks as the amount of glucose in the blood increases. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develops much slower, occurring over months or even years. Symptoms can even be so mild that you might not even notice them. Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms or do not find out they have type 2 diabetes until they have health related problems, such as blurred vision or heart trouble. Athletes with type 1 diabetes have needs that differ from other athletes that must be met for success and to maintain safety in their chosen sports. These athletes are different from other athletes because they require insulin to be injected, due to their pancreas not producing it. It is important that the athlete with type 1 diabetes use enough insulin to match the amount of carbohydrate foods they have consumed. They also have to account for the amount of energy they will require during exercise and