Diabetes Basics

Overview

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body cannot properly process sugar. It can arise in several different ways. Although there is no cure, there are several ways to live with the disease. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious disorders and even death.

Intro: How the body processes food

Glucose

• After one eats a meal, the digestive system breaks the food down into its molecular parts. One of these parts, glucose, is a type of sugar that is used by the body’s cells for energy.

• Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it can be taken into body cells if insulin is present.

Insulin

• Insulin is a hormone that is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. A rise in glucose levels in the blood signals the beta cells to release insulin.

• The insulin present in the bloodstream signals body cells to absorb glucose. Once the body cells are able to allow glucose into the cell, glucose levels in the bloodstream decrease.

Common symptoms

• Especially for type II diabetes, symptoms can go unnoticed
• Increased thirst/ frequent urination
• Increased hunger/ unexplained weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Numbness in hands or feet
• Fatigue

Those at high risk include:

• Over 45
• Overweight
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot properly regulate or respond to insulin. As a result, glucose levels in the blood remain higher than normal. There are three types of diabetes:

Type I diabetes: the body is unable to produce insulin

• Without insulin, glucose can no longer be absorbed into cells, which causes glucose levels to rise.

• This condition can arise, among other things, from an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

• This form of diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes.

Type II diabetes: the body does not respond to insulin levels

• As a result of the cells not being able to detect insulin, they remain unable to absorb glucose, thus increasing the glucose levels.

• This condition is often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, and other factors.

• This form of diabetes is also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Gestational diabetes: during pregnancy, hormones hamper production of insulin

• The compromised insulin activity reduces the number of cells that can absorb glucose, leading to elevated glucose levels in the blood.

• The elevated glucose levels cause increased insulin production of both the mother and unborn baby, which can result in complications during the pregnancy.

• The diabetic condition disappears after pregnancy; however, the woman is then at a higher risk of developing type II diabetes.

Treatments

• Insulin

Insulin must be taken regularly by individuals with type I diabetes. Insulin is sometimes taken by individuals with type II diabetes.

• Diet

A diet low in carbohydrates is often recommended in order to help reduce blood glucose levels. A diet low in fat and cholesterol is also important. Maintaining a balanced diet is often a treatment for diabetes type two.

• Monitoring

There are many different factors that can change blood glucose levels. It is therefore important to monitor blood glucose levels regularly in order to prevent the potentially dangerous condition of blood glucose levels getting too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia). It is often necessary to gauge treatments, especially insulin, according to the amount of glucose actually present in the blood.

• Exercise

Exercise can help the body absorb glucose, which will alleviate the diabetes condition. Staying fit can also help in reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight, which is especially important for treating type II diabetes.

Complications that arise from Diabetes

• Stroke
• Blindness
• Heart disease
• Kidney failure
• Nerve damage
• Loss of circulation to arms and legs