What is Diabetes?
Diabetes, not strange to our society anymore nowadays is a very deadly disease that causes the death of many annually. Diabetes mellitus which is what we’re going to be discussing about can be categorized into two types, Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
In Type 1 diabetes, it is formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and juvenile-onset diabetes, the body does not produce insulin or produces it only in a very small quantities. Symptoms usually appear suddenly, typically in individuals under 20 years of age. Most cases occur around puberty—around age 10 to 12 in girls and age 12 to 14 in boys. Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the body produces too little insulin or no insulin at all. In most cases, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, that is, a condition in which the body’s disease-fighting immune system goes awry and attacks healthy tissues. In the case of Type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells, known as beta cells, in the pancreas. Scientists believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors somehow triggers the immune system to destroy these cells. Scientists have so far identified 20 genes that play a role in Type 1 diabetes, although the exact function of these genes is still under investigation. Environmental factors, such as certain viruses, may also contribute to the development of the disease, particularly in people who already have a genetic predisposition for the disease. Type 1 diabetes also can result from surgical removal of the pancreas.
In addition to causing a buildup of glucose in the blood, untreated Type 1 diabetes affects the metabolism of fat. Because the body cannot convert glucose into energy, it begins to break down stored fat for fuel. This produces increasing amounts of acidic compounds in the blood called ketone bodies, which interfere with cellular respiration, the energy-producing process in cells.
For Type 2 diabetes, it is formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and adult-onset diabetes, the body’s delicate balance between insulin production and the ability of cells to use insulin goes awry. Symptoms characteristic of Type 2 diabetes include those found in Type 1 diabetes, as well as repeated infections or skin sores that heal slowly or not at all, generalized tiredness, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
Of the nearly 21 million people in the United States with diabetes, 90 to 95 percent have Type 2 diabetes. About 90 percent of all diabetes cases in Canada are Type 2. The onset of Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after the age of 45, although the incidence of the disease in younger people is growing rapidly. Because symptoms develop slowly, individuals with the disease may not immediately recognize that they are sick. A number of genes are involved in Type 2 diabetes. In addition, there is a strong relationship between obesity and Type 2 diabetes. About 80 percent of diabetics with this form of the disease are significantly overweight. Diabetes is most common in adults over 45 years of age; in people who are overweight or physically inactive; in individuals who have an immediate family member with diabetes; and in people of African, Hispanic, and Native American descent. The highest rate of diabetes in the world occurs in Native Americans. More women than men have been diagnosed with the disease.
Diabetes Mellitus, a disease in which the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin, or in which the body’s cells fail to respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin a hormone that helps the body’s cells absorbs glucose (sugar) so it can be used as a source of energy. In people with diabetes, glucose levels build up in the blood and urine, causing excessive urination, thirst, hunger, and problems with fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes mellitus differs from the less common diabetes insipid us, which is caused by lack of the hormone vasopressin, which controls the amount of urine secreted.
Diabetes, not strange to our society anymore nowadays is a very deadly disease that causes the death of many annually. Diabetes mellitus which is what we’re going to be discussing about can be categorized into two types, Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
In Type 1 diabetes, it is formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and juvenile-onset diabetes, the body does not produce insulin or produces it only in a very small quantities. Symptoms usually appear suddenly, typically in individuals under 20 years of age. Most cases occur around puberty—around age 10 to 12 in girls and age 12 to 14 in boys. Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the body produces too little insulin or no insulin at all. In most cases, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, that is, a condition in which the body’s disease-fighting immune system goes awry and attacks healthy tissues. In the case of Type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells, known as beta cells, in the pancreas. Scientists believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors somehow triggers the immune system to destroy these cells. Scientists have so far identified 20 genes that play a role in Type 1 diabetes, although the exact function of these genes is still under investigation. Environmental factors, such as certain viruses, may also contribute to the development of the disease, particularly in people who already have a genetic predisposition for the disease. Type 1 diabetes also can result from surgical removal of the pancreas.
In addition to causing a buildup of glucose in the blood, untreated Type 1 diabetes affects the metabolism of fat. Because the body cannot convert glucose into energy, it begins to break down stored fat for fuel. This produces increasing amounts of acidic compounds in the blood called ketone bodies, which interfere with cellular respiration, the energy-producing process in cells.
For Type 2 diabetes, it is formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and adult-onset diabetes, the body’s delicate balance between insulin production and the ability of cells to use insulin goes awry. Symptoms characteristic of Type 2 diabetes include those found in Type 1 diabetes, as well as repeated infections or skin sores that heal slowly or not at all, generalized tiredness, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
Of the nearly 21 million people in the United States with diabetes, 90 to 95 percent have Type 2 diabetes. About 90 percent of all diabetes cases in Canada are Type 2. The onset of Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after the age of 45, although the incidence of the disease in younger people is growing rapidly. Because symptoms develop slowly, individuals with the disease may not immediately recognize that they are sick. A number of genes are involved in Type 2 diabetes. In addition, there is a strong relationship between obesity and Type 2 diabetes. About 80 percent of diabetics with this form of the disease are significantly overweight. Diabetes is most common in adults over 45 years of age; in people who are overweight or physically inactive; in individuals who have an immediate family member with diabetes; and in people of African, Hispanic, and Native American descent. The highest rate of diabetes in the world occurs in Native Americans. More women than men have been diagnosed with the disease.
Diabetes Mellitus, a disease in which the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin, or in which the body’s cells fail to respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin a hormone that helps the body’s cells absorbs glucose (sugar) so it can be used as a source of energy. In people with diabetes, glucose levels build up in the blood and urine, causing excessive urination, thirst, hunger, and problems with fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes mellitus differs from the less common diabetes insipid us, which is caused by lack of the hormone vasopressin, which controls the amount of urine secreted.
According to the causes of death in the US, physicians have it that some 21 million people (at about 7 percent of the population) suffer from diabetes mellitus. Every year, some 1.5 million people learn they have the disease. Diabetes mellitus kills more than 73,000 residents of the U.S each year, making this the sixth leading cause of all deaths resulting from disease. In addition, diabetes is a contributing factor in many deaths from heart disease, kidney failure, and other conditions. Overall, experts estimated that diabetes contributes to about 225,000 deaths annually in the United States. Also in Canada, approximately 2.5 million residents (at about 6 percent of the population) have diabetes mellitus. Leaving this disease to be ranked as the seventh leading cause of death in Canada, where it kills about 6,000 people a year. Diabetes and its complications contribute to about 25,000 deaths in Canada annually also.
What are the Dangers of this Disease?
If not attended to, nor treated at once. diabetes mellitus may cause life-threatening complications like result in diabetic coma (a state of unconsciousness caused by extremely high levels of glucose in the blood) or death in Type 1 category. But in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, complications may include blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease. it can cause tiny blood vessels to become blocked; when this occurs in blood vessels of the eye, it can result in retinopathy (the breakdown of the lining at the back of the eye), causing blindness. Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people aged 20 to 74. In the kidneys, diabetes can lead to nephropathy (the inability of the kidney to properly filter toxins from the blood). About 40 percent of new cases of end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) are caused by diabetes mellitus. Blockages of large blood vessels in diabetics can lead to many cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Although these conditions also occur in non-diabetic individuals, people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disorders. Also cause loss of feeling, majorly in the lower legs. This numbness may prevent a person from feeling the pain or irritation of a break in the skin or of foot infection until after complications have developed, possibly necessitating amputation of the foot or leg. Burning pain, sensitivity to touch, and coldness of the foot, conditions collectively known as neuropathy, can also occur. Other complications include higher-risk pregnancies in diabetic women and a greater occurrence of dental disease. It can also cause loss of feelings, particularly in the lower legs. This numbness may prevent a person from feeling the pain or irritation of a break in the skin or of foot infection until after complications have developed, possibly necessitating the amputation of the foot or leg. Burning pain, sensitivity to touch, and coldness of the foot, conditions collectively known as neuropathy, can also occur. Other complications include higher-risk pregnancies in diabetic women and a greater occurrence of dental disease. Below are the sub listed effects of this disease in a simple term.
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| One of the effect of diabetes if not treated at the early stage.. |
EFFECTS OF DIABETES
1. Blindness
2. Circulatory disorder (i.e. amputation, coronary heart disease and gangrene).
3. Gallstone
4. It could as well cause impotence
5. Insulin shock
6. Kidney infection
7. Hypoglycemia
8. Fungus infection: Fungi belonging to the genus Candida, especially Candida albicans, can infect both internal organs and mucous membranes of the mouth (see Thrush), throat, and genital tract. In people with impaired immunity, this organism can cause a chronic infection.
9. Nerve pains
10. Muscle atrophy etc.
How can I prevent it from happening?
1. Avoid excessive intake of food containing sugar/glucose (carbohydrates).
2. Always engage in exercise activities like: running, jogging, or gymnastic activities like push-ups, swimming, so as to burn up glucose in the body.
3. Also avoid excessive intake of sugar, and take more of supplements that would lower sugar in the blood.
4. Always feed on vegetables.
5. And always visit a physician when u noticed/detect any of the symptoms listed above.
What are the Diagnosis and its Treatments??
Well, this days Diabetes is detected by measuring the amount of glucose in the blood after an individual has fasted (abstained from food) for about eight hours. In some cases, physicians Diabetes is detected by measuring the amount of glucose in the blood after an individual has fasted (abstained from food) for about eight hours. In some cases, physicians diagnose diabetes by administering an oral glucose tolerance test, which measures glucose levels before and after a specific amount of sugar has been ingested.
Once diabetes is diagnosed, treatment consists of controlling the amount of glucose in the blood and preventing complications. Depending on the type of diabetes, this can be accomplished through regular physical exercise, a carefully controlled diet, and medication.
Individuals with Type 1 diabetes must receive insulin, often two to four times a day, to provide the body with the hormone it does not produce. Insulin cannot be taken orally, because it is destroyed in the digestive system. Consequently, insulin-dependent diabetics have historically injected the drug using a hypodermic needle or a beeper-sized pump connected to a needle inserted under the skin. In 2006 the United States Food and Drug Administration approved a form of insulin that can be inhaled and then is absorbed by blood in the lungs.
The amount of insulin needed varies from person to person and may be influenced by factors such as a person’s level of physical activity, diet, and the presence of other health disorders. Typically, individuals with Type 1 diabetes use a meter several times a day to measure the level of glucose in a drop of their blood obtained by pricking a fingertip. They can then adjust the dosage of insulin, physical exercise, or food intake to maintain the blood sugar at a normal level. People with Type 1 diabetes must carefully control their diets by distributing meals and snacks throughout the day so as not to overwhelm the ability of the insulin supply to help cells absorb glucose. They also need to eat foods that contain complex sugars, which break down slowly and cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels.
Although most persons with Type 1 diabetes strive to lower the amount of glucose in their blood, levels that are too low can also cause health problems. For example, if a person with Type 1 diabetes takes too much insulin, it can produce low blood sugar levels. This may result in hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by shakiness, confusion, and anxiety. A person who develops hypoglycemia can combat symptoms by ingesting glucose tablets or by consuming foods with high sugar content, such as fruit juices or hard candy.
In order to control insulin levels, people with Type 1 diabetes must monitor their glucose levels several times a day. In 1983 a group of 1,441 Type 1 diabetics aged 13 to 39 began participating in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), the largest scientific study of diabetes treatment ever undertaken. The DCCT studied the potential for reducing diabetes-related complications, such as nerve or kidney disease or eye disorders, by having patients closely monitor their blood sugar levels four to six times a day, maintaining the levels as close to normal as possible. The results of the study, reported in 1993, showed a 50 to 75 percent reduction of diabetic complications in people who aggressively monitored and controlled their glucose levels. Although the study was performed on people with Type 1 diabetes, researchers believe that close monitoring of blood sugar levels would also benefit people with Type 2 diabetes.
For persons with Type 2 diabetes, treatment begins with diet control, exercise, and weight reduction, although over time this treatment may not be adequate. People with Type 2 diabetes typically work with nutritionists to formulate a diet plan that regulates blood sugar levels so that they do not rise too swiftly after a meal. A recommended meal is usually low in fat (30 percent or less of total calories), provides moderate protein (10 to 20 percent of total calories), and contains a variety of carbohydrates, such as beans, vegetables, and grains. Regular exercise helps body cells absorb glucose—even ten minutes of exercise a day can be effective. Diet control and exercise may also play a role in weight reduction, which appears to partially reverse the body’s inability to use insulin.
For some people with Type 2 diabetes, diet, exercise, and weight reduction alone may work initially, but eventually this regimen does not help control high blood sugar levels. In these cases, oral medication may be prescribed. If oral medications are ineffective, a person with Type 2 diabetes may need insulin doses or a combination of oral medication and insulin. About 50 percent of individuals with Type 2 diabetes require oral medications, 40 percent require insulin or a combination of insulin and oral medications, and 10 percent use diet and exercise alone.
Blinksquare wish you a diabetic free life and a healthy living..
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