Diabetes is a chronic and incurable disorder characterized by the body's inability either to manufacture insulin (called Type 1) or a developed resistance to insulin (Type 2). It is possible to have both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes, when uncontrolled, causes abnormally high blood sugar, because the body is unable to break down and store glucose, sugar in the bloodstream that is the primary source of energy for the body. Diabetes is a very serious condition. Untreated diabetes can lead to fatigue, hunger, great thirst, weight loss, infections, kidney and other organ impairment, nerve, eye and heart damage, and ultimately, death. Diabetes is controlled through either insulin injections (in the case of Type 1) or a combination of medication, exercise and diet (in Type 2).
Health and wellness services are important for managing diabetes, from nutritional counseling to physical fitness training. One of the best ways to control blood sugar is through proper diet and physical fitness. Some studies also suggest that massage can lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, making it helpful in managing the condition.