Kill Your Diabetes Before It Kills You
By Linda Smith
Millions of People Worldwide Suffer from Diabetes In 2000, according to the World Health Organization, at least 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, or 2.8% of the population. Its incidence is increasing rapidly, and it is estimated that by 2030, this number will almost double. Diabetes mellitus occurs throughout the world, but is more common (especially type 2) in the more developed countries. The greatest increase in prevalence is, however, expected to occur in Asia and Africa, where most patients will probably be found by 2030. The increase in incidence of diabetes in developing countries follows the trend of urbanization and lifestyle changes, perhaps most importantly a “Westernstyle� diet. This has suggested an environmental (i.e., dietary) effect, but there is little understanding of the mechanisms at present. For at least 20 years, diabetes rates in North America have been increasing substantially. In 2008 there were about 24 million people with diabetes in the United States alone, from those 5.7 million people remain undiagnosed. The CDC has termed the change an epidemic. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse estimates that diabetes costs $132 billion in the United States alone every year According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 18.3% (8.6 million) of Americans age 60 and older have diabetes. Diabetes mellitus prevalence increases with age, and the numbers of older persons with diabetes are expected to grow as the elderly population increases in number.
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What is diabetes? Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars to build up in your blood. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. What are the symptoms of diabetes? People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms:
Frequent urination Excessive thirst Unexplained weight loss Extreme hunger Sudden vision changes Tingling or numbness in hands or feet Feeling very tired much of the time Very dry skin Sores that are slow to heal More infections than usual. Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes
The Complexities of Diabetes The main complexities stem from the nature of the feedback loop itself, which is sought to be regulated. o
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The glucose cycle is a system which is affected by two factors: entry of glucose into the bloodstream and also blood levels of insulin to control its transport out of the bloodstream As a system, it is sensitive to diet and exercise
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It is affected by the need for user anticipation due to the complicating effects of time delays between any activity and the respective impact on the glucose system Management is highly intrusive and compliance is an issue, since it relies upon user lifestyle change and (often) upon regular sampling and measuring of blood glucose levels, multiple times a day in many cases It changes as people grow and develop It is highly individual As diabetes is a prime risk factor for cardiovascular disease, controlling other risk factors which may give rise to secondary conditions, as well as the diabetes itself, is one of the facets of diabetes management. Checking cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels may indicate hyperlipoproteinmia, which may warrant treatment with a hypolipidemic drugs. Checking the blood pressure and keeping it within strict limits (using diet and antihypertensive treatment) protects you against the retinal, renal and cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Regular follow-up by a podiatrist or other foot health specialists is encouraged to prevent the development of diabetic foot. Annual eye exams are recommended to monitor for progression of diabetic retinopathy.
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Diabetes Symptoms for Early Diabetes Diagnosis Diabetes always goes undiagnosed as most of its symptoms look so harmless. However, recently researches had found out that early detection of various diabetes symptoms may reduce the chances of complications resulted by diabetes as early diabetes treatment can be given. There are different types of diabetes, each due to different causes. Diabetes mellitus, which is usually referred to as “sugar� diabetes, is a type of metabolic disease which resulted in patient having high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. This might due to the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells respond to the insulin is poor. Hyperglycemia will lead to the symptoms of frequent urination (polyuria), increased thirst (polydipsia) and increased hunger (polyphagia). There are three main types of diabetes mellitus, i.e. type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (or called juvenile diabetes) is an as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, where the body of the patient is unable to produce insulin. The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, extreme thirst and hunger, abnormal weight loss, extreme tiredness and irritability. In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance is the main cause. The body does produce insulin but the body cells are not able to use insulin produced properly. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes might include any of the type 1 symptoms, plus frequent and recurring infections, blurred vision, slow healing for cuts or bruises, feeling of numbness in the hands or feet. There might be cases where people having type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all. Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy. An expecting mother, who either has or never had diabetes, is consider to have gestational diabetes when the blood glucose level is high during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually has not any clear symptoms. Diabetes insipidus (DI) is another type of diabetes, sometimes called "water" diabetes. It is a disorder where patient has abnormal increase in urine output, fluid intake and often feel thirsty. The most common type of DI is central DI and nephrogenic DI. Central DI is due to a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) while nephrogenic DI is caused by an insensitivity of the kidneys to ADH. The
main symptoms of DI include increase in urination frequency, frequent night urination, and bedwetting. Type 3 diabetes or called “brain diabetes” had been recognized in year 2005 when medical researchers studied its relationship to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found out that besides pancreas, insulin is also produced within the brain. Type 3 diabetes happens when the brain's cell receptors stops or reduces the acceptance of the brain's secreted insulin.
Control Is Key to Good Diabetes Management Controlling your blood sugar levels is the key to good health and extends lifespan. Our body didn’t develop to metabolize the massive amount of carbohydrate calories consumed by many people currently. Manage carbohydrates and alcohol consumption to reduce your triglycerides. Take control of your diet, your exercise and how often you test. Then you can control the controls. Controlling your blood sugar levels is the key to good health and may help avoid such long-term effects of diabetes such as, Coronary artery disease, poor circulation in the extremities (causing foot ulcers), impairment of vision, and kidney damage. Controlling blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c (HbA 1c ), lipids, Blood pressure, and bodyweight are very important components. Manage blood sugar levels to counteract diabetes and extend lifespan. While it is true that exact gram calculations of CHO matched to the correct dosage of insulin yield tighter glycemic control, some individuals make greater success towards tighter control if the information is streamlined.
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Lowering your A1C Levels Some people have found that insulin pump therapy offers tighter control and even more flexibility in accordance with their lifestyle. They are able to quickly and easily control the continuous flow of insulin in response to their body’s needs and if you’re type 1, insulin can be your best friend. Initial treatment for people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes is often diet and exercise. Following this treatment as closely as recommended is one way to achieve their lower A1C goals. However, there are times when oral medication is needed in order to continue effective management of diabetes or even to improve it. And when oral medications are no longer as effective, insulin is also a viable choice for people with type 2 as a step forward to good diabetes management and lower A1C levels. In addition to traditional medical treatment, alternative treatments may be beneficial, although all forms of treatment should be discussed with your doctor before implementing them in your diabetes treatment. Managing stress is also an important part of keeping your blood sugar under control, thus lowering your A1C levels.
Exercise is important in a number of ways and can benefit a person with diabetes. Aerobic exercise, such as running or walking, can lower your blood sugar levels as your body uses the glucose as you expend energy. Anaerobic exercise, such as weight training or power sports like baseball, can have the opposite effect, temporarily raising blood sugar levels due to a delayed release of glucose. The overall affect is, increased insulin action over a longer period, thus achieving low blood sugar. No matter what diabetes type you have or how long you have had it, good nutrition is part of good diabetes management, which is necessary if you want to have a lower A1C.
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People Living with Diabetes are Twice as Likely to Develop Serious Gum Disease For the nearly 24 million Americans that have diabetes, many may be surprised to learn about an unexpected complication associated with this condition. Research shows that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among those with diabetes, adding serious gum disease to the list of other complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Emerging research also suggests that the relationship between serious gum disease and diabetes is two-way. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes. Research suggests that people with diabetes are at higher risk for oral health problems, such as gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) and periodontitis (serious gum disease). People with diabetes are at an increased risk for serious gum disease because they are generally more susceptible to bacterial infection, and have a decreased ability to fight bacteria that invade the gums. Help Prevent Dental Problems Associated with Diabetes o o o o o
Control your blood glucose level Take good care of your teeth Regular checkup ever four months to control thrush and fungal infection Maintain good control of your diabetes Good blood glucose control can help prevent dry mouth caused by diabetes
Severe Hypoglycemia People with type one diabetes mellitus who must take insulin in full replacement doses are most vulnerable to episodes of hypoglycemia. It is usually mild enough to reverse by eating or drinking carbohydrates, but
blood glucose occasionally can fall fast enough and low enough to produce unconsciousness before hypoglycemia can be recognized and reversed. Hypoglycemia can be severe enough to cause unconsciousness during sleep. Predisposing factors can include eating less than usual, prolonged exercise earlier in the day, and heavy drinking. Some people with diabetes can lose their ability to recognize the symptoms of early hypoglycemia. Unconsciousness due to hypoglycemia can occur within 20 minutes to an hour after early symptoms and is not usually preceded by other illness or symptoms. Twitching or convulsions may occur. A person unconscious from hypoglycemia is usually pale, has a rapid heartbeat, and is soaked in sweat: all signs of the adrenaline response to hypoglycemia. The individual is not usually dehydrated and breathing is normal or shallow. A meter or laboratory glucose measurement at the time of discovery is usually low, but not always severely, and in some cases may have already risen from the nadir that triggered the unconsciousness. Unconsciousness due to hypoglycemia is treated by raising the blood glucose with intravenous glucose or injected glucagon.
A More Modern Approach to Diabetes Primarily Relies Upon Diet and Lifestyle Management Often combined with regular ongoing blood glucose level monitoring. Diet management allows control and awareness of the types of nutrients entering the digestive system, and hence allows indirectly, significant control over changes in blood glucose levels. Blood glucose monitoring allows verification of these, and closer control, especially important since some symptoms of diabetes are not easy for the patient to notice without actual measurement. Other approaches include exercise and other lifestyle changes which impact the glucose cycle. In addition, a strong partnership between the patient and the primary care physician or dibetic nurse – is an essential tool in the successful management of diabetes.
Often the primary care doctor makes the initial diagnosis of diabetes and provides the basic tools to get the patient started on a management program. Regular appointments with the primary care physician and a certified diabetes educator are some of the best things a patient can do in the early weeks after a diagnosis of diabetes. Upon the diagnosis of diabetes, the primary care physician, specialist, or endocrinologist will conduct a full physical and medical examination. A thorough assessment covers topics such as: o o o o o o o o
Height and weight measurements Blood pressure measurements Thyroid examination Examination of hands, fingers, feet, and toes for circulatory abnormalities Blood tests for fasting blood sugar, A1c, and cholesterol Family history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke Prior infections and medical conditions A list of current medications, including:
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Prescription medications Over-the-counter medications Vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements Smoking history, including encouragement to stop smoking (if applicable) Signs of complications with pregnancy or trying to get pregnant for women patients Eating and exercise habits Vision abnormalities, to check for eye health issues Urination abnormalities, which can indicate kidney disease Diabetes can be very complicated, and the physician needs to have as much information as possible to help the patient establish an effective management plan. Physicians may often experience data overload resulting from hundreds of blood-glucose readings, insulin dosages and other health factors occurring between regular office visits which must be deciphered during a relatively brief visit with the patient to determine patterns and establish or modify a treatment plan.
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The Right Food and Exercise; A Healthy Diabetes Nutrition The main purpose in diabetes nutrition is to stay away from starchy foods as much as possible and focus on fruits and vegetables. High fiber content is equally important so better go for the whole grains and brown rice or pasta instead of the white varieties. Fish and lean meats pose the least problems. Diabetes nutrition is a must to curtail the bad effects of diabetes, a healthy mind in a healthy body. Your doctor can help you in making the right choices. Supplement your healthy diabetes nutrition with some exercises: make it a daily routine if you can. Walking is a great way to stay in shape and does not require a lot of effort. Half an hour a day will do wonders for you. If nothing else it will help in keeping your weight under control: important for a healthy individual but certainly for someone suffering from diabetes. Diabetes is a lifelong disease. The body has a foolproof and intricate mechanism to control the glucose levels in the bloodstream. It should not be too low or too high. What you eat is assimilated by the body priority-wise. Carbohydrates are converted into glucose and rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. The reason for diabetes is the inability of the body to make enough insulin or utilize properly the insulin that it produces. When the insulin-making cells are permanently disabled, the result is the incurable type one diabetes. In both the types of diabetes, nutrition plays a very important role. You may be able to maintain your body and check the advancement of the disease, by proper diet. To talk about the type two diabetes, it is now fairly sure that 9 out of the ten cases can be controlled and cured, provided dietary precautions are taken, and you do regular exercises. Judge what is suitable for your health, by self-assessment and by consulting the doctor and stick to the schedule. Give adequate activity to your muscles, they are designed for hard work. Activities improve their ability to use insulin and absorb glucose, so that insulin making cells get some intermission and function effectively.
It is not that you require tough exercises. Light exercises done with discipline and regularity, will help you a lot. Make whole grain and whole grain products, sprouted cereals a regular part of your diet. Carbohydrates that are not easily digested will not help your cause. All this apart, take care of yourself so that you do not suffer from any other diseases, small or big, because they may worsen your diabetes condition. All negative tendencies such as stress, anger and oversleeping need to be given up. Do not develop a feeling of depression that diabetes cannot be cured at all! Your strong will power supported by a disciplined lifestyle can give you great benefits! Some tips: Regularly check your blood sugar, that way you can closely monitor your sugar levels and control your diabetes nutrition. If your levels are not regular you know there is something wrong with the way you eat. Regular check-ups with the doctor, he or she will check to see if you have the diabetes well under control and if necessary put you on a different type of diabetes nutrition.
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