Copyright 2006 Anne Wolski
Put simply, diabetes is the inability of the body to process
sugars and starches properly. When we eat or drink our pancreas
produces a hormone called insulin. Without sufficient insulin,
body cells are unable to use glucose properly and blood levels
of glucose rise, producing hyperglycemia, the major symptom of
diabetes.
Excess levels of glucose and ketones (chemicals produced by the
liver from fatty acids) can result in weakness, dizziness, and
unconsciousness. Too little glucose (hypoglycemia) can produce
similar symptoms. Both conditions are temporary and reversible.
Symptoms are thirst (polydipsia), increased urination,
(polyuria), weight loss, constipation, tiredness, lack of
energy, tingling or pins and needles in the hands or feet,
blurred vision and increased infections.
There are three main types of diabetes:
1. Type 1 diabetes - no insulin is produced. Insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus affects 10% of diabetics. Generally develops
in children and young adults and affects more males than
females. Sometimes called juvenile-onset diabetes, it occurs
when a person’s body cannot make the hormone insulin. Without
insulin, the body cannot use the carbohydrates and sugars in
food properly.
2. Type 2 diabetes - insulin is produced but the body becomes
resistant to it. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus affects
people who are more than 40 years old and overweight or obese.
Sometimes called mild diabetes but it is just as serious as type
1 diabetes. The symptoms are similar to type 1 but may build up
slowly. Diabetes specialists are very concerned at the rise in
type 2 diabetes in young people. They are linking it to the big
increase in the number of teenagers and young adults who are
overweight or obese.
3. Gestational diabetes Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy is
called gestational diabetes. If it happens during the first 12
weeks, it is probably likely that the woman had diabetes before
she became pregnant. If it happens later in the pregnancy, it is
more likely that her body cannot produce enough insulin for
herself and the baby. Gestational diabetes usually goes away
after the baby is born. But women who have had gestational
diabetes are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes
at some time of their life than those who have not had diabetes
during pregnancy.
Uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged high blood sugar levels can,
in later life, cause problems to many organs including the
kidneys, eyes, nerves and the heart. High on the critical list
for diabetics is the risk of serious eye disease and loss of
vision.
Eye care professionals are predicting a devastating increase in
vision loss as the diabetic epidemic grows alarmingly. Over 70%
of our sensory information comes through our eyes.
High blood sugar can gradually damage the blood vessels at the
back of the eye in the retina. This causes a problem called
diabetic retinopathy and the longer you have diabetes the more
likely you are to have retinopathy. More than 70% of diabetics
develop some changes in their eyes within 15 years of diagnosis.
Non-proliferative retinopathy is the common mild form where
small retinal blood vessels break and leak.
Proliferative retinopathy is more serious. New blood vessels
grow abnormally within the retina. If these vessels scar or
bleed they can lead to potentially serious vision loss including
blindness.
Common circulatory complications include high blood pressure,
hardening of the arteries, reduced circulation to the limbs,
kidney problems, and damage to the retina of the eye, sometimes
causing blindness. People with diabetes are vulnerable to
circulatory problems, which can narrow the coronary arteries,
causing angina and increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Nerve-related complications include numbness, pain, and
impotence. Damages to nerves and small blood vessels can cause
numbness and lack of sensitivity to pain. As a result, you may
be unaware of minor injuries, which then become infected.
Uncontrolled diabetes can cause itching in the genital area. In
men damage to the blood vessels supplying the penis can lead to
impotence.
People with diabetes also have a reduced ability to fight
infection, and they heal less quickly than do other people.
People with high blood glucose levels are prone to cystitis,
bladder and kidney infections, and diabetes can result in damage
to small blood vessels.
Some of the steps a person with diabetes can take are:
1. Stabilize and control your blood sugar with diet.. A diet
that controls weight establishes regular eating patterns, and
helps control glucose concentrations in the blood. 2. Have a
yearly diabetic eye examination.
3. Undertake regular exercise
4. Limit alcohol intake, regulate consumption of carbohydrates,
and eat plenty of fibre rich foods.
By following the above guidelines, a person with diabetes can
expect to live a relatively normal and productive life. Your
health care specialist will be your best ally and should be
consulted whenever you have any concerns about your diabetes or
your treatment.