Friday, July 24, 2015

Save Yourself from Diabetes

Constant high blood pressure level indicates high sugar in blood and that is diabetes.
There are four types of diabetes-
1.       Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes/ juvenile diabetes/ early-onset diabetes: Here body fails to produce insulin.
2.       Type 2 or non insulin-dependent diabetes: Body becomes resistant to insulin.
3.       Gestational diabetes: During pregnancy.
4.       Diabetes due to other causes:  Identified by the experts.

What happens to our body-
When our food is digested, the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present - insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. After eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells, as soon as glucose enters the cells blood-glucose levels drop.
A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glucose in the blood is too elevated (hyperglycemia). This is because the body either does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has cells that do not respond properly to the insulin the pancreas produces. This results in too much glucose building up in the blood. This excess blood glucose eventually passes out of the body in urine. So, even though the blood has plenty of glucose, the cells are not getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements.

Common symptoms of diabetes:
·         Urinating often.
·          Feeling very thirsty.
·          Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating.
·          Extreme fatigue.
·          Blurry vision.
·          Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal.
·          Weight loss - even though you are eating more (type 1).
·          Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2).
·         Gestational diabetes usually have no symptoms.

Below is a list of possible complications that can be caused by badly controlled diabetes:

Eye complications : Glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and some others.
Foot complications: Neuropathy, ulcers, and sometimes gangrene which may require that the foot be amputated.
Skin complications: People with diabetes are more susceptible to skin infections and skin disorders.
Heart problems: Ischemic heart disease and others.
Hypertension:  Common in people with diabetes, which can raise the risk of kidney disease, eye problems, heart attack and stroke.
Mental health: Uncontrolled diabetes raises the risk of suffering from depression, anxiety and some other mental disorders.
Hearing loss: Diabetes patients have a higher risk of developing hearing problems
Gum disease: There is a much higher prevalence of gum disease among diabetes patients
Gastroparesis:  The muscles of the stomach stop working properly
Ketoacidosis : A combination of ketosis and acidosis; accumulation of ketone bodies and acidity in the blood.
Neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage which can lead to several different problems.
HHNS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome): Blood glucose levels shoot up too high, and there are no ketones present in the blood or urine. It is an emergency condition.
Nephropathy: Uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to kidney disease
PAD (peripheral arterial disease): Symptoms may include pain in the leg, tingling and sometimes problems walking properly
Erectile dysfunction: Male impotence.
Infections:  People with badly controlled diabetes are much more susceptible to infections
Healing of wounds:  Cuts and lesions take much longer to heal

Prevent it before it troubles you-
·         Control your diet. Vegetables and fruits are your best friends. Whole grains are good source of diet. Avoid sugary food to a limit and red meats.
·         Avoid smoking and alcohol for the sake of your life.
·         Exercise on a regular basis.

Once you have it-
·         Maintain your diet. Your physician would provide you with an ideal chart.
·         Monitor your blood-glucose level daily.

·         Check your blood pressure regularly.

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