Information and facts on Diabetes

 

Diabetes has two major forms "diabetes mellitus" and "diabetes insipidus". Diabetes insipidus - is a rare metabolic disorder caused by to low a level of a pituitary hormone or the  kidneys not using the hormone correctly. Often symptoms include extreme thirst and going to the  bathroom alot. Diabetes mellitus - occurs when the pancreas is not producing insulin correctly. Without insulin the body cannot process glucose "blood sugar" resulting in too much sugar in the blood and not enough sugar in the body's cells. It will increase your risk of the following: kidney disease, blindness, atherosclerosis,  neuropathy, and also may complicate pregnancy. There are two types: Type 1 Juvenile Onset or Insulin Dependent and Type 2 Adult Onset or Non-Insulin Dependent.

There are two basic types of diabetes: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is a rare metabolic disorder caused either by a lack of a  pituitary hormone or by the kidneys failing to respond correctly to this hormone. Failure to create required amounts of vasopressin is normally the result of damage to the pituitary gland. Diabetes insipidus is indicated by extreme thirst and by the production of large amounts of urine, regardless of how much liquid is consumed. 

Diabetes mellitus results from a problem in the creation of insulin by the pancreas. Without insulin, the body cannot process the blood sugar glucose, its main energy source. As a result, the level of glucose circulating in the blood is high, however the level of glucose absorbed by the body tissues is very low. Diabetes mellitus is strongly related to diet. It is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism that over time increases the risk of kidney disease, atherosclerosis, blindness, and neuropathy. It also creates a risk to other infections such as candidiasis and it can add complications to pregnancy. Although genetics may make a person more vulnerable to diabetes, a diet high in refined, processed foods and low in fiber and complex carbohydrates is knon to be a major cause of the disease. 

People who are overweight / obese face the worst risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is generally divided into two categories: type I, called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, and type II, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Type I diabetes is associated with destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas, which manufacture insulin. This type of diabetes occurs more often in children and young adults. Recent evidence implicates a viral cause in some cases of this disease. Autoimmune factors may also be involved. Symptoms of type I diabetes include irritability, frequent urination, abnormal thirst, nausea or vomiting, weakness, fatigue, weight loss despite a normal intake of food, and unusual hunger. In children, frequent bedwetting, especially by a child who did not wet the bed before is another very common sign. 

Persons with type I diabetes suffer periods in which blood glucose levels are very high called hyperglycemia and very low called hypoglycemia. Either of these conditions can lead to a serious medical emergency. Episodes of hypoglycemia, which strike quickly, can be caused by a missed meal, too much exercise, or evan a reaction to too much insulin. The initial signs of hypoglycemia include: confusion, dizziness, hunger, numbness, palpitations, sweating, and tingling of the lips. If not treated, the individual may go on to experience double vision, trembling, and disorientation; may act strangely; and may eventually lapse into a coma. Differently, a hyperglycemic episode can come on over a period of several hours or even days. The risk for hyperglycemia is greatest during illness, when insulin requirements rise; blood sugar can creep up, ultimately resulting in coma, a reaction also known as diabetic ketoacidosis. One of the warning signs of developing hyperglycemia is the inability to keep down fluids. Possible long-term complications include stroke, blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, gangrene, and nerve damage. 

The second category of diabetes mellitus, often referred to as maturity-onset diabetes, is most likely to occur in people with a family history of diabetes. In this type of the disorder, the pancreas does produce insulin, but the insulin is ineffective. Symptoms include blurred vision, itching, unusual thirst, drowsiness, fatigue, skin infections, slow wound healing, and tingling or numbness in the feet. The onset of type II diabetes typically occurs during adulthood and is linked to a poor diet. Other signs that may be associated with diabetes include lingering flu like symptoms, loss of hair on the legs, increased facial hair, and small yellow bumps known as xanthomas anywhere on the body. Balanoposthitis (inflammation of the penile glans and foreskin) often is the first sign of diabetes and is usually associated with frequent urination day and night. Some individuals have impaired glucose tolerance, indicating an asymptomatic subclinical, or latent, form of diabetes. IGT describes those whose plasma glucose levels and responses to glucose are intermediate, somewhere between those of a diabetic and a healthy person. It is estimated over 5.5 million people in the USA are being treated for diabetes. Studies indicate that there are 5 million adults with undetected type II diabetes, and another 20 million have impaired glucose tolerance that may lead to full-blown diabetes. The National Institutes of Health report that undiagnosed diabetes has caused millions of people to lose their eyesight. In addition, complications of diabetes are the third leading cause of death in the USA. Urinalysis can often detect unsuspected diabetes.

DIABETES SELF-TESTS

There are several ways to test yourself for diabetes. The tests for type I diabetes are also used for self-monitoring by persons diagnosed with the condition.

Type I Diabetes - Insulin-Dependent or Juvenile-Onset diabetes

Testing for type I diabetes:

1. Purchase chemically treated plastic strips at a drugstore

2. Prick your finger and apply a drop of blood to the tip of the strip

3. Wait one minute and compare the color on the strip to a color chart, which lists various glucose levels

There are also electronic devices available that can analyze the test strip for you and give you a numerical readout of the glucose level. Use a glucometer for testing blood sugar in the convenience of your own home. You simply prick your finger with the spring-loaded needle, apply a drop of your blood to the test strip, and place it in the machine for analysis. This test gives you an immediate blood sugar result. It is a device that all people with diabetes should own.

Type II Diabetes - Maturity-Onset Diabetes or Adult Onset Diabetes

Those with type II diabetes mellitus often cannot perceive sweet tastes. This abnormality may play an important role in how individuals with diabetes perceive the taste of their food, and also in how well they comply with the dietary aspects of treatment. Because our society as a whole is addicted to sugar, this distorted taste perception is very common among the population in general. 

Testing for type II diabetes:

1. Do not consume stimulants (coffee, tea,soda) or sweets for one hour before the test.

2. Fill seven identical glasses with 8 ounces of water each and label the glasses as having no sugar, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sugar 1½ teaspoons sugar, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons sugar. Add the appropriate amount of sugar to each glass, then ask someone else to rearrange the order of the glasses and hide the labels.

3. Take a straw and sip from each glass, then write down the amount of sugar you think it contains. Between sips, rinse your mouth with pure water.Healthy people generally notice a sweet taste when a teaspoon or less of sugar is added to 8 ounces of water. By contrast, people with adult-onset diabetes usually do not notice sweetness until 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar have been added to the water.

Other Changes To Make

• drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

• eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

• nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

• juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

• do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

• carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

• a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

• do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

• do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

• use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

• brown rice is good to eat

• avoid red meat and animal fats

• reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

• fast a few days a month

• get at least 8 hours of sleep 

• exercise light to moderate amounts

• avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

• do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

• do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

• do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

• do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.