A new Diabetes link.

"Diet and exercise are widely known to impact the risk of type 2 diabetes, but few people realize that breast-feeding also reduces mothers' risk of developing the disease later in life by decreasing maternal belly fat," said Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, an assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology, and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, in a news release from the university.

So what is Diabetes?

Diabetes refers to two conditions centred on your blood glucose levels. Your body is fuelled by glucose, all the food that you digest is broken down in vitamins and mineral and fuel – glucose. Managing how much glucose is in your blood stream is your Pancreas job.

Having too high levels of blood sugar levels or too low levels causes the body stress. Normally your pancreas responds to these altered levels and controls the level of glucose in the blood by releasing insulin. Insulin is a hormone; it helps to move glucose out of the blood stream and into your cells to give them energy to carry out their normal functions.

Type 1 Diabetes stems from a problem with the pancreas that does not produce insulin or very little at all. Leaving the body to cope with rising levels of blood sugar that go unchecked. In the long term this can produced devastating results and damage, especially to your heart eyes, kidney, nerves and gums and teeth. This type of diabetes is often developed in childhood or in young adults. However other ages can be affected
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The typical symptoms may include

• Being very thirsty
• Urinating often
• Feeling very hungry or tired
• Losing weight without trying
• Having sores that heal slowly
• Having dry, itchy skin
• Losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet
• Having blurry eyesight

Type 2 Diabetes is a different issue. The insulin that your pancreas produces to move sugar out of your blood stream and into your cells in this case becomes ineffective – the body is resistant to the effects of insulin. Unlike type 1 where the solution would be to provide an external source of insulin for the body, type 2 is not as easily helped. A far better solution would be to prevent this from even occurring.

Management of weight and regular exercise is at the core of type 2 diabetes prevention. Now with the new study it looks like mothers that breast feed their babies can also reduce their chances of developing this type of diabetes.The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can develop slowly over a long period of time
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§  Increased thirst and frequent urination. As excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual.

§  Increased hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted for energy. This triggers intense hunger.

§  Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight. Without the ability to use glucose, the body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is released in the urine.

§  Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.

§  Blurred vision. If your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of your eyes. This may affect your ability to focus clearly.

§  Slow-healing sores or frequent infections. Type 2 diabetes affects your ability to heal and resist infections.

§  Areas of darkened skin. Some people with type 2 diabetes have patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies — usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, may be a sign of insulin resistance.

For further information visit Diabetes WA