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What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a
disorder that occurs particularly because your body does not produce enough of the
chemical called insulin, or it does not use the insulin it produces properly. During
digestion, your body converts the foods you eat into a sugar called glucose (blood sugar)
that provides our bodies with needed energy.
The pancreas, an organ about 6 inches long and
weighs approximately 3 ounces, located near the stomach produces a hormone called insulin
which helps your body correctly use the sugar that gets into your blood. Diabetes is a
disease that affects the pancreas. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either makes no
insulin or does not produce enough. Consequently, sugar (glucose) cannot enter the cells
where it is needed to give your cells the energy to do their work, but remains instead in
the blood at high levels.
Diabetes is the leading cause of adult
blindness, kidney failure, and non-traumatic amputations, and a leading cause of heart
disease.
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Type 1 Diabetes
Types of
diabetes
The two main types of diabetes are insulin-dependent (Type 1) and non-insulin-dependent
(Type 2)*.
*Note: There
are other forms of diabetes such as Gestational diabetes - a common condition
experienced by women during pregnancy. Usually, the condition will resolve shortly after
delivery of the baby, but can greatly complicate an otherwise healthy pregnancy, if not
monitored closely. Secondary diabetes - resulting from other conditions, diseases,
or injuries, hence "secondary".
Type 1
Diabetes
In type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin or makes
only a tiny amount. In this case, since little or no insulin comes from the pancreas, the
body cannot absorb sugar from the blood and, thus, the blood sugar level remains
constantly too high. The treatment for people with this form of diabetes is to inject the
insulin hormone under the skin daily so that it can be absorbed into the blood.
When does
type 1 diabetes normally occur?
Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes develops at an early age and most often occurs in
children and young adults, making it one of the most common chronic disorders in U.S.
children. However, doctors have realized that type1 diabetes can occur at any age.
Who is at
risk for type 1 diabetes?
Although hereditary factors appear to play a role in the development of type 1
diabetes, scientists believe that both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to
diabetes risk. Nonetheless, relatives of people with type 1 diabetes have a greater risk
of developing this form of diabetes compared to the general population. However, type1
diabetes often occurs in people who have no one in their family with the condition.
What can I
do if I am at risk for diabetes?
Many people with diabetes control their blood glucose by following a prudent diet to
reduce fat and calorie intake, exercise with regularity, lose excess weight, and take
medication. Therefore, you can do a lot to lower your chances of getting diabetes.
An important
recommendation is to consult with your doctor or health care professional about your
current blood sugar level, as well as check it yourself at home. Your health care provider
will give you information regarding how often to check your blood sugar and ways to keep
track of the results.
What are the
symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
Some of the more common symptoms of type1 or insulin-dependent diabetes include:
Sudden or
unusual weight loss
Excessive
thirst · Dry mouth
Frequent
urination
Blurred vision
Nausea or
vomiting
Constant
fatigue and weakness
Pain or
numbness in the feet or legs
Slow healing of
cuts and sores
Irritability
and mood changes
If you have one
or more of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
Are there
any problems associated with type 1 diabetes?
There are several other problems associated with type 1 diabetes. Three of the more
significant complications of the disease are as follows:
Hypoglycemia
- occurs when your body's blood sugar, or glucose, is abnormally low. Severe hypoglycemia
that results in unconsciousness is referred to as insulin shock.
Hyperglycemia
- the opposite of hypoglycemia, and happens when there is too much sugar in your blood,
which is a sign that diabetes is out of control.
Diabetic
Ketoacidosis (DKA) - condition most often associated with uncontrolled
insulin-deficiency that results in high levels of glucose and acids in the blood
(ketones)*. An incident may occur because of illness or taking too little insulin. Early
signs of DKA include high blood glucose, excessive hunger, excessive thirst, increased
urination, abdominal pain, dehydration, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. If
the DKA progresses, the person may fall into a coma.
* Ketones
- The body produces Ketones because of an insulin-deficiency. When there is insufficient
insulin present in the body, it cannot use glucose for energy and breaks down fat to use
as energy. Therefore, when people with Type 1 diabetes do not take enough insulin,
especially during periods of stress or illness, the body produces ketones (acids) and
releases them into the blood and urine.
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Type 2 Diabetes
Type
2 Diabetes
Previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes,
this form of the disease results from the inability of the body to make enough, or
properly use insulin, without which the body cannot move blood sugar into the cells. This
type of diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and accounts for the major portion of
diagnosed cases.
When does type 2 diabetes normally occur?
Type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes usually develops in adults over age 40 and is
most common in overweight people, although obesity does not necessarily lead to diabetes.
Who is at risk for type 2 diabetes?
The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown, however, there appears to be some
genetic factors that causes it to run in families.
Diabetes is a harmful disease and
complications resulting from type 2 diabetes can be very serious. Some people who have
type 2 diabetes may exhibit symptoms that are mild, almost unnoticeable or easily confused
with the signs of aging, thus their symptoms may go undetected for a long time, thereby
creating a serious health risk. Still, the complications of diabetes can be delayed with
frequent monitoring, proper nutrition, exercise and medication.
The following statistics were obtained from
the American Diabetes Association and National Institutes of Health to show some of the
risk factors of type 2 diabetes in the United States of America.
Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90 to
95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with older
age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired
glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity.
Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being
diagnosed in children and adolescents.
5 to 10 percent of women with gestational
diabetes are found to have type 2 diabetes.
Women who have had gestational diabetes have
a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing diabetes in the next 5 to10 years.
African-Americans, American Indians,
Hispanic Americans/Latinos, and Asian American/ Pacific Islanders have an increased risk
for type 2 diabetes.
What are the
symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may appear similar to other medical conditions so
talk to your doctor about your health and obtain a proper diagnosis. Studies show that
early detection and treatment can help reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Some of the symptoms of type2 or
non-insulin-dependent diabetes include:
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Blurred vision
If you have one or more of these symptoms, see
your doctor immediately.
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How do I know if I
have diabetes?
The range of signs and symptoms of diabetes may vary from person to person so you
should see your doctor or health care professional for a diagnosis.
Another suggestion is to check your blood
sugar if you experience symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst,
sudden or unusual weight loss, slow healing of cuts and sores or any of the
other symptoms mentioned earlier. Moreover, have your eyes examine and check your blood
for ketones.
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How do I care for
my diabetes?
Follow your doctor's advice on diet, exercise and medication for better control of your
diabetes, purchase a blood glucose monitor and test strips to check your glucose levels
regularly for studies show that frequent testing leads to improved control.
Consult with your own physician about keeping
your blood glucose levels within range and try to control your blood glucose levels with a
good meal plan, regular physical activity and medication, if needed.
Managing your diabetes is a serious
responsibility so learn to recognize when to test your blood glucose level and how to use
the results. Try to stay healthy and help reduce the risk of long-term complications by
developing a good routine of testing regularly. You might try testing everyday around
meals, exercise and medication to see how these events affect your results.
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| How
do I test for blood glucose?
Before you begin testing, read and follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual from
the manufacturer regarding the operation of your blood glucose monitoring system, as well
as talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.
Testing your blood glucose level requires
obtaining a small sample of blood from your fingertip (use an alternate site if allowed by
the guidelines stated in the Owner’s manual).
Wash your hands with soap and warm water,
and dry them thoroughly. (Warm water stimulates the flow of blood to the fingers but you
may also hang your arm down at your side for several seconds. Another method is to squeeze
your finger below the joint close to the tip before pricking your finger).
If you use alcohol to clean your finger, be
sure it dries before pricking your finger.
Select parts of your fingertip slightly
off-center to minimize discomfort. Choose a different spot on the side of a finger each
time you test to avoid developing calluses or making your finger sore by repeatedly
pricking the same spot.
Use a lancet with an automatic lancing
device or puncture the skin with a firm motion. Since the size of your blood sample can
affect the test result, be sure to follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual for
applying blood to the test strip so as to completely fill the target area.
Dispose of the lancet by following all
safety procedures.
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Is there a cure
for diabetes?
There
is no cure for diabetes, however, its cause is presently the subject of intensive research
and it can be managed effectively so that most people with the disease can live long and
healthy lives.
Diabetes
management is essential to reduce the risk of long-term complications associated with the
disease. Consequently, people with diabetes must remain aware of their condition,
recognizing that it is more than just high blood sugar. Diabetes can affect other body
organs if not properly controlled, and may lead to serious acute as well as long-term
complications. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you need medication and be sure to
take your medicine as directed.
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