Diabetes? Diabetic? Information and Advice
Insulin is essential for life. It is a hormone produced in the endocrine system by the pancreas.
A deficiency, known as Hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, is a common problem. When blood sugar levels drop too low it affects the energy supply to the brain, and other tissues.
On the other hand if you have high blood sugar levels, this can damage your arteries, and is one of the risk factors of heart disease, and strokes.
Diabetes mellitus is a condition where sugar in the blood (glucose) is too high, because the body cannot regulate it properly.
Types of diabetes
Prediabetes is when your sugar levels are higher than normal, but not sufficient to be diagnosed as diabetes. After this, the two main types of diabetes are:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
Type 1
This type of diabetes develops if your body is unable to make insulin, and is normally apparent before the age of forty. The signs and symptoms are obvious, and develop quickly.
Juvenile diabetes is a severe metabolic disorder, which affects children and those under the age of twenty.
The causes of this type of diabetes have not been identified, but risk factors presently being studied are:
- The effects of cows milk on infants
- Various kinds of infections
Type 2
Type ii diabetes develops when your body can produce some insulin, but not sufficient, or if you are insulin resistant. This is the most common type of diabetes, and usually affects those over forty.
This mild form of diabetes mellitus develops gradually, and can be triggered by severe stress, menopause, or obesity. It is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes, because it can usually be controlled by diet, without insulin injections.
Gestational diabetes mellitus is common in the second of third trimester of pregnancy. However tests are usually conducted in the first trimester in case this condition already exists.
If you are pregnant you will have an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test to diagnose whether there is a problem, or not. This involves blood being taken before breakfast. The test is repeated two hours later, after you have had a glucose drink.
Diabetes symptoms
The most common symptom is increased thirst, others can be:
- Weight loss
- Slow healing of wounds
- More frequent trips to the toilet to urinate
- Blurred vision
- Genital itching or recurrent thrush
Signs and symptoms are not always obvious if you have type 2 diabetes, but in both types, the symptoms are alleviated fast once the diabetes is treated. Early diagnoses and treatment reduces the risk of further health problems.
Diabetes diet plan
When you are diagnosed as a diabetic, management of your lifestyle is more important than ever to ensure good health. Eating well is not about going on a diet, or only eating diabetes food, but controlling blood sugar levels. It does not mean that you can't have the odd treat.
However, it does mean making small, but healthy changes in your choices of food. It involves eating starchy carbohydrate foods, those low in the Glycemic index. Each meal should contain potatoes, noodles, cereals, rice, pasta, or bread, as these are important to control your blood glucose levels.
Eating high fibre starchy foods also helps prevent problems like constipation. It also helps to control your weight and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Combining physical activity, healthy eating, with any treatment for diabetes will help you manage your condition and prevent long-term complications.
Being diabetic does not mean that you are dependent on insulin, but if you are, it is important to keep diabetes supplies in the fridge.
If you are at all concerned about diabetes, or want information on prevention, then your doctor will be able to give you answers to your questions.
Researchers are always looking for alternatives to injecting insulin, so keep an eye on the news, or search the Internet for the latest research statements.