Diabetes

ALL ABOUT DIABETES

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is classed as a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar in the blood - it is the principal source of fuel for our bodies.

Diabetes comes from Greek, and it means a siphon. Aretus the Cappadocian, a Greek physician during the second century A.D., named the condition diabainein. He described patients who were passing too much water (polyuria) - like a siphon. The word became "diabetes" from the English adoption of the Medieval Latin diabetes. 

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

Frequent urination                Increased fatigue

Disproportionate thirst         Irritability

Intense hunger                      Blurred vision

Weight gain                             Cuts and bruises don't heal properly or quickly

Unusual weight loss             more skin and/or yeast infections

Itchy skin                                Gums are red and/or swollen

Frequent gum disease         Sexual dysfunction among men

Numbness or tingling, especially in your feet and hands

Diabetes can often be detected by carrying out a urine test, which finds out whether excess glucose is present. This is normally backed up by a blood test, which measures blood glucose levels and can confirm if the cause of your symptoms is diabetes.

THREE MAIN TYPES OF DIABETES

Diabetes Type 1 - You produce no insulin at all.

Diabetes Type 2 - You don't produce enough insulin, or your insulin is not working properly.
 

Gestational Diabetes - You develop diabetes just during your pregnancy. 

5 ESSENTIALS DIABETES TIPS

• READ UP ON DIABETES
• TEST AND RECORDS YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
• PICK A GOOD DIET FOR YOUR DIABETES
• INCLUDE SOME ACTIVITY EACH DAY
• TALK ABOUT YOUR DIABETES 

TREATMENT

The major goal in treating diabetes is to minimize any elevation of blood sugar (glucose) without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar.

Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet.

Type 2 diabetes is treated first with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, treatment with insulin is considered.

Weight reduction and exercise are important treatments for diabetes. Weight reduction and exercise increase the body's sensitivity to insulin, thus helping to control blood sugar elevations.

 R. Y. MANABAT, R.N.

For reading references, visit Free Diabetes E-books.