Diabetes

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a condition wherein the body produces too much glucose. The body either cannot produce insulin or has a poor time responding to the insulin that is produced. The excess of glucose can cause major complications including cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, and even blindness in some cases. It is imperative that diabetes be diagnosed as early as possible so that these complications can be avoided. There are three primary types of diabetes, as well as some other, lesser known types that are classified on their own.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can be a serious disease, and occurs when the body fails to make any insulin whatsoever. Diabetics with type 1 diabetes MUST take insulin injections in order to break down the glucose in the system. Sometimes pancreas transplants can help with this condition. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body produces insulin, but is unable to use it properly to break down glucose.  Those with type 2 diabetes often go unchecked because it is hard to recognize the symptoms of diabetes 2 right away. Gestational diabetes occurs in women who are pregnant, but who've never had diabetes before. They develop their high levels of glucose during the pregnancy, and may develop type 2 diabetes afterward as a result.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It begins when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms

There are no known specific causes of diabetes. Researchers have speculated on possible links. With type 1 diabetes, it is believed that genetics may play a role, or that environmental factors may contribute to development. With type 2 diabetes, researchers are much more convinced that genetics play a significant role, and clear risk factors have also been identified. Symptoms in type 1 diabetes are dramatic and can usually be spotted easily, but symptoms of type 2 diabetes are more subtle, and can often go unchecked until late in life and cause serious complications.

Diabetes Symptoms

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes are often dramatic and come on very suddenly.

• Type 1 diabetes is usually recognized in childhood or early adolescence, often in association with an illness (such as a virus or urinary tract infection) or injury.
  
  
• The extra stress can cause diabetic ketoacidosis.
  
  
• Symptoms of ketoacidosis include nausea and vomiting. Dehydration and often-serious disturbances in blood levels of potassium follow.
  
  
• Without treatment, ketoacidosis can lead to coma and death.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes are often subtle and may be attributed to aging or obesity.

• A person may have type 2 diabetes for many years without knowing it.
  
  
• People with type 2 diabetes can develop hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome.
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes can be precipitated by steroids and stress.
  
  
• If not properly treated, type 2 diabetes can lead to complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and nerve damage.

Common Diabetes Symptoms of Both Major Types of Diabetes:

• Fatigue: In diabetes, the body is inefficient and sometimes unable to use glucose for fuel. The body switches over to metabolizing fat, partially or completely, as a fuel source. This process requires the body to use more energy. The end result is feeling fatigued or constantly tired.
  
  
• Unexplained Weight Loss: People with diabetes are unable to process many of the calories in the foods they eat. Thus, they may lose weight even though they eat an apparently appropriate or even excessive amount of food. Losing sugar and water in the urine and the accompanying dehydration also contributes to weight loss.
  
  
• Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia): A person with diabetes develops high blood sugar levels, which overwhelms the kidney's ability to reabsorb the sugar as the blood is filtered to make urine. Excessive urine is made as the kidney spills the excess sugar. The body tries to counteract this by sending a signal to the brain to dilute the blood, which translates into thirst. The body encourages more water consumption to dilute the high blood sugar back to normal levels and to compensate for the water lost by excessive urination.
  
  
• Excessive Urination (Polyuria): Another way the body tries to get rid of the extra sugar in the blood is to excrete it in the urine. This can also lead to dehydration because excreting the sugar carries a large amount of water out of the body along with it.
  
  
• Excessive Eating (Polyphagia): If the body is able, it will secrete more insulin in order to try to deal with the excessive blood sugar levels. Moreover, the body is resistant to the action of insulin in type 2 diabetes. One of the functions of insulin is to stimulate hunger. Therefore, higher insulin levels lead to increased hunger and eating. Despite increased caloric intake, the person may gain very little weight and may even lose weight.
  
  
• Poor Wound Healing: High blood sugar levels prevent white blood cells, which are important in defending the body against bacteria and also in cleaning up dead tissue and cells, from functioning normally. When these cells do not function properly, wounds take much longer to heal and become infected more frequently. Also, long-standing diabetes is associated with thickening of blood vessels, which prevents good circulation including the delivery of enough oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues.
  
  
• Infections: Certain infection syndromes, such as frequent yeast infections of the genitals, skin infections, and frequent urinary tract infections, may result from suppression of the immune system by diabetes and by the presence of glucose in the tissues, which allows bacteria to grow well. They can also be an indicator of poor blood sugar control in a person known to have diabetes.
  
  
• Altered Mental Status: Agitation, unexplained irritability, inattention, extreme lethargy, or confusion can all be signs of very high blood sugar, ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemia nonketotic syndrome, or hypoglycemia (low sugar). Thus, any of these merit the immediate attention of a medical professional. Call your health care provider or 911.
  
  
• Blurry Vision: Blurry vision is not specific for diabetes but is frequently present with high blood sugar levels.

Diabetes Treatment

As with any disease, diabetes treatment will vary from patient to patient. Generally speaking, diabetes is usually treated with proper diet, an exercise routine, and medication. If the case of diabetes is extreme, insulin treatments should be administered. The bottom line is that glucose must be regulated, which is why having a healthy diet that is low in cholesterol, fat, and simple sugars is incredibly important. It is also important for diabetics to keep their weight down to aid in the regulation of glucose.  There are organic and all natural treatments for diabetics as well, but it is important that you do your research with regard to these methods.

Diabetes Diagnosis

Diabetes diagnosis is usually prompted by excessive urination and excessive thirst on the part of the patient. Sometimes significant weight loss can also occur. Unfortunately, with type 2 diabetes, sometimes more severe symptoms, such as heart attack, stroke, or severe eye problems , must occur before a diagnosis is ever reached. It is important to have regularly scheduled health screens, as doctors can sometimes detect diabetes early this way. Hypoglycemia is often detected and serves as a warning that diabetes could be the culprit.

Diabetes Prognosis

The risk of long-term complications from diabetes can be reduced. If you control your blood glucose and blood pressure, you can reduce your risk of death, stroke, heart failure, and other complications. Reduction of HbA1c by even 1% can decrease your risk for complications by 25%. Diabetes is a disease that should be taken seriously, but if managed correctly, those afflicted can live quite normal lives. Exercise is encouraged for most diabetics, and it is recommended that a proper diet be administered. Diet is, in fact, one of the more important aspects of managing a diabetes diagnosis. Diet should be individualized based on the type of diabetes and the presence of other afflictions, such as obesity, kidney disease, high cholesterol, etc. A low-fat diet that has low caloric intake from saturated fat is advised. It is possible to live a healthy and fulfilling life with diabetes, but you must get all of the information so that you have the tools to take on the particular challenges diabetes will inevitably present.