Diabetes

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder involving the way the body uses food to provide nutrients to the cells for growth and functioning. Digestion breaks food down into glucose, a form of sugar the body uses as its source of fuel. For the individual cells to admit the glucose, insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, must be present. Normally, after a meal is eaten the pancreas automatically secretes sufficient insulin for the gradual absorption of the glucose into the cells. With diabetes this process is erratic and may result in either too much or too little insulin.

There are three types of diabetes:

• Type I: A person does not produce any of their own insulin, or the body cannot use what is produced. All Type I diagnosis must have insulin.
• Type II: The body does not produce enough insulin or it is not working properly. Some Type II patients can control their symptoms with just diet and exercise. Others must have insulin supplementation.
• Gestational Diabetes: This occurs only when a woman is pregnant. If indicated, a woman should consult an obstetrician specializing in gestational diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms

If the glucose level of the blood is elevated we say the person is hyperglycemic. "Hyper" means high and "glycemic" refers to the glucose level. Too much sugar is circulating throughout the body without the necessary insulin so it can be absorbed into the cells. Thus, even though there is ample glucose in the blood, the cells can't access it and thus are starving. Symptoms of this imbalance can be extreme hunger and fatigue (the body is desperate for food), thirst, blurred vision, weight loss, wounds that heal slowly, dry itchy skin, erectile dysfunction, recurrent infections and cardiac arrhythmia. The body tries to compensate by the kidneys taking water from the blood to dilute the glucose and then excreting it in the form of urine. Thus, an increase in urination can also be a symptom of imbalance. The ancient Chinese noted that ants were often attracted to the sweet urine of certain people. Such people were said to have "sweet urine disease", which is known today as diabetes.

If the glucose level is below normal, we say the person is hypoglycemic. Symptoms may include shakiness or dizziness, sweating or clamminess, pins and needles in the hands or feet, nausea, confusion, fatigue, and in extreme, coma.

Diagnosis is usually first made with a urine test. If excess glucose is indicated, then a follow-up blood glucose test is often administered to determine accurate levels. The physician will then determine appropriate treatment.

Treatments

Since insulin was discovered in 1921, treatment for diabetes is much simpler and more effective. The goal is to balance the insulin/glucose needs by attention to diet, lifestyle and insulin production. According to the Mayo Clinic, the diet should be approximately 45-65% complex carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables and whole grains, not simple carbohydrates like candy and cookies), 15-20% protein, and 20-35% fats. The Glycemic Index refers to how rapidly foods are absorbed and the effect on the glucose level. Complex carbohydrates add fiber, which allows for more gradual sugar absorption. Thus, many use this Index to help determine their meals. It is also important that diabetics not skip meals either because the body must have a routine and consistent amount of food.

Exercise too helps the body. Moderate exercise such as walking five times/week for about 30 minutes is suggested, as well as strength training for building muscle.

Frequent testing for blood glucose level is a consistent part of the diabetic's life. It requires pricking a finger to obtain a drop of blood, which a small meter then measures. A physician determines how frequently it's required, but often it is before meals, two hours afterwards, at bedtime and sometimes about 3:00AM.

The goal of treatment is to balance the body's supply of glucose/insulin. Administering insulin in pill form may not be effective because it does not get into the bloodstream. Thus, usually injections are required. Another alternative is the insulin pump. A catheter is placed under the skin and the pump delivers a basal amount of insulin to the body on a regular basis, thus maintaining the normal blood level. When the person eats, additional insulin is required so he/she pushes a button to administer extra. The pump is rugged and reliable and can be worn on the belt or carried in a pocket. It can be placed on the bedside table at night.

In Closing...

Diabetes can be scary but it is very treatable and early diagnosis is very helpful. One can live a long and full life with proper care and attention to lifestyle.