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It is the the time of year when many people will have indulged in rich food and extra sweet things.  For most, the worst thing that can happen is that they might need to shed a few pounds after the holidays are over but for some people the extra carbohydrates and sugar intake will exacerbate symptoms of diabetes.  Early recognition and treatment are essential for this situation can be life threatening, so it is important to make yourself aware of the symptoms.

There are 2 main types of diabetes, both causing raised blood sugar levels but other than that, they are quite different conditions. Delayed treatment can be life threatening in the very short term in diabetes type 1, which has sudden onset and in the long term both types 1 and 2 can lead to serious health problems which include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation if blood glucose levels are not well controlled. In some individuals this is difficult to achieve, i.e. in young children who grow in spurts and can be faddy eaters and people who have other health problems. Please note that Type 2 may go on undetected for up to 10 years as it’s onset is gradual.

The signs and symptoms of diabetes are:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Extreme tiredness
• Weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Genital itching/regular episodes of thrush
• Slow healing of wounds

Follow this link for more detailed information: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Introduction-to-diabetes/Signs_and_symptoms/

Type 1 - Researchers have come up with a number of theories as to why some individuals may be more susceptible to diabetes than others, but what is known for sure is that type 1 diabetes is triggered by a faulty autoimmune response. Normally, when our body is invaded by a virus or infection for example, our autoimmune system springs into action, attacks the virus and sees it off, but sometimes, for reasons unknown, the immune system fails to recognise ‘self’ and attacks the body’s own tissue. In diabetes type 1 it homes in on the Islets of the Langerhans, small groups of insulin producing cells situated in the pancreas, destroying them so causing blood glucose levels to rise. As a result there is greatly increased thirst resulting in a massive output of pale urine as the body attempts to excrete the glucose as quickly as possible. Sudden thirst that cannot be quenched is a major symptom of diabetes type 1, so one must get straight to the doctor or hospital with a urine sample if this happens. If glucose or ketones are found, further tests need be done urgently and treatment started right away if diabetes is confirmed.

Type 1 is always treated by insulin injections. Training will be given to the patient and maybe to their family too (especially if they are a child) before they are discharged from hospital.

The risk factors for type 2

• A close member of your family has type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).
• You’re overweight or if your waist is 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches or over for Asian men and 37 inches or over for white and black men.
• You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or a stroke.
• You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight.
• You’ve been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting
  glycaemia.
• If you’re a woman and you’ve had gestational diabetes.
• You have severe mental health problems.

The more risk factors that apply to you, then the greater your risk of developing diabetes. Follow this link for more detailed information:-

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Introduction-to-diabetes/Causes_and_Risk_Factors/

Type 2 is usually treated by diet alone or by diet plus tablets, but sometimes insulin may be needed as time goes by.

There is much international research going about the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Breakthroughs are constantly being made. One such innovation is the insulin pump which is calibrated to infuse tiny amounts of insulin 24/7; it takes blood glucose readings every 5 minutes and alerts the patient if their blood sugar levels are getting too high or too low. Adjustments still have to made if for instance, a meal is missed or extra food is eaten, maybe at a party or special occasion. However, the race is on to produce the first closed loop system, a true artificial pancreas which would respond just like the real thing. Much research is being done by the  International Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to check your nearest one, and you can find chapters in America here - http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100687

Other organisation which offeruseful information and more are:-

UK

• Diabetes UK  www.diabetes.org

USA

• American Diabetes Association (ADA) http://diabetes.org

Canada

• Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) http://www.diabetes.ca
• Diabète Québec (Quebec Diabetes Association)
  E-mail direction@diabete.qc.ca

Karen Harvey has worked as a complementary therapist in the past and has an ongoing interest in health and wellbeing. She also looks after her small granddaughter who has Type 1 diabetes. She would like to point out that she is not a medically trained doctor and that this article was written to raise awareness not for the purpose of self diagnoses, so if you are feeling unwell in any way it is important to go and see your own doctor.

Posted by Karen Harvey in Health, Lifestyle, Link-worthy, Sound Advice |

This entry was posted on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 5:18 am and is filed under Health, Lifestyle, Link-worthy, Sound Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.