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what
is diabetes? |
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Diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes is a disease where the body
cannot transfer sugar (or glucose) from the blood into cells
to produce energy. This is because the pancreas malfunctions
and does not produce enough insulin to carry out this function.
When it is not burned, glucose builds up in the bloodstream
causing symptoms such as excessive thirst and hunger (especially
for sweets), nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, fatigue, slow
healing of cuts and bruises, cramps in the extremities, vaginal
itching, frequent skin, gum or urinary tract infections, inexplicable
weight loss, and frequent urination. In severe cases it can
lead to coma and even death. People with diabetes are susceptible
to a further range of ailments from heart and kidney problems
to failing eyesight.
Diabetes comes in two forms: Type I, where there is no circulating
insulin; and Type II, where the insulin, for some unknown
reason, does not interact with the cell. Type I is found most
often in younger, usually thin, people and often needs injected
insulin for treatment. Coma with accumulation of acid-ketones
in the blood can occur in Type I. Type II usually occurs in
people over 40 who are often obese and usually insulin insensitive.
Exercise improves the sensitivity of cells to insulin and
is particularly helpful in Type II diabetes.
There are also two temporary forms of diabetes: stress diabetes
(following a trauma) and gestational diabetes (during pregnancy).
The cause of diabetes has not been pinpointed, but it can
have hereditary links. If the onset of diabetes happens in
the late teens or twenties, it is often after a viral infection
such as the mumps.
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controlling
diabetes |
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Untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart
disease, mobility difficulty, and leg amputation. About 50%
of elderly diabetics have high blood pressure, nerve damage,
or retinal disease; some have all three. These problems need
separate control. The methods for controlling diabetes have
greatly improved.
Urine sugar testing is not usually adequate, however it is
possible to prevent damage to the eyes or kidneys by diabetic
patients self-testing their blood sugar levels.
In addition, Hemoglobin A1C, a derivative of our blood pigment,
is 6% in non-diabetics and can reach 12% or more in the presence
of high blood sugars. Testing Hemoglobin A1C levels is a good
way to summarize blood sugar control in the past 3 months.
A yearly eye examination is also necessary, particularly
as diabetics are vulnerable to retinal disease, glaucoma,
and cataracts.
For those who have trouble regularly taking pills that lower
blood sugar, there are aids. Sectional medication boxes help,
and some even have alarms that go off at the dosage time.
Syringe magnifiers and needle guides can help insulin-taking
diabetics with vision problems.
Meticulous treatment of diabetes can give you a complication
free life. With careful blood sugar control, a sensible diet,
and possibly by the use of oral sugar lowerers, or injectable
insulin, complications can be delayed or even prevented.
Recent studies have shown that with the strict monitoring
and control of diabetes, the incidence of blindness and kidney
failure virtually disappears, while your memory can actually
be improved by strict diabetic control.
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what
you can do |
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If you are a diabetic, you should set a goal of preserving the
quality of your life so that you can enjoy a normal and happy
old age. There are many things you can do in pursuit of this
goal:
• Get regular exercise. Walking is one of the
best forms of exercise; it strengthens the heart, helps control
blood sugar levels and increases circulation to the extremities
• Diet is extremely important in managing diabetes, and
should focus on high carbohydrate and fiber intake, as well
as a number of small meals. Those on medication should be consistent
about when and how much they eat
• It is advisable
to maintain a reasonable body weight as there is a strong association
between non-insulin dependent diabetes and obesity
•
Always carry something sweet in case of hypoglycemia
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Always wear diabetic identification as some diabetic emergencies
can be mistaken for drunkenness
• Diabetics are more
susceptible to oral infections. Brush and regularly floss your
teeth and visit your dentist regularly
• The feet
are particularly prone to damage and fungal infections. However,
nerve damage from diabetes can lessen the sensation of pain
and consequently wounds can go unnoticed. Poor circulation due
to diabetes can mean the wounds become gangrenous in some cases.
Ensure you check your feet often and keep them clean and dry ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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diabetic
emergencies |
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There are two opposite and severe reactions that may occur with
diabetes.
Ketoacidosis or diabetic coma
This occurs only in insulin-dependent diabetes. It can result
from too little insulin or from severe physical or emotional
stress or trauma. It develops slowly with early stages displaying
flushed dry skin, excessive thirst and urination, stomach
pains and deep rapid breathing, later drowsiness and then
coma. It requires immediate medical attention.
Hypoglycemic reaction (insulin reaction or low blood sugar)
This results from too much insulin, often due to missed meals,
too much exercise or overdose. Symptoms usually develop rapidly
and include light-headedness, hunger, shallow rapid breathing,
pale moist skin, and confused/nervous/excitable/irritable
behavior. It can be corrected by taking one tablespoon of
honey or jam (dissolved in half a cup of orange juice if possible)
or two teaspoons of sugar in half a cup of lukewarm water,
or eating a few small candies/sweets. Severe reactions, which
may lead to unconsciousness, require an intravenous glucose
injection.
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