How Do I Control My Diabetes

Article by Dr E Moore

A common problem, diabetes occurs because the body can’t use glucose properly, either owing to a lack of the hormone insulin, or because the insulin available doesn’t work effectively.

Diabetes has been a recognised condition for more than 3,500 years.

More than three-quarters of people with diabetes have type 2. This used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes mellitus.

The remainder have type 1 diabetes mellitus, which used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

What’s the difference?In type 1, the body’s unable to produce any insulin. This usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It’s treated with diet control and insulin injections.In type 2, not enough insulin is produced or the insulin that is made by the body doesn’t work properly. This tends to affect people as they get older, and usually appears after the age of 40.

Normal blood sugar controlThe body converts glucose from food into energy. Glucose comes ready made in sweet foods such as sweets and cakes, or from starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta or bread once they’re digested. The liver is also able to manufacture glucose.

Under normal circumstances, the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas, carefully regulates how much glucose is in the blood. Insulin stimulates cells to absorb enough glucose from the blood for the energy, or fuel, that they need. Insulin also stimulates the liver to absorb and store any glucose that’s left over.

After a meal, the amount of glucose in the blood rises, and this triggers the release of insulin. When blood glucose levels fall, during exercise for example, insulin levels fall too.

A second hormone manufactured by the pancreas is called glucagon. It stimulates the liver to release glucose when it’s needed, and this raises the level of glucose in the blood.

Insulin is manufactured and stored in the pancreas, which is a thin gland about 15cm (6in) long that lies crosswise behind the stomach. It’s often described as being two glands in one, since in addition to making insulin it also produces enzymes that are vital for digestion of food.

Development of symptomsIn type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to develop rapidly, over a couple of weeks, and are more severe. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms develop slowly and are usually milder.

Common symptoms of both types of diabetes are:

increased thirstpassing water frequently, especially at nighttiredness and fatigueloss of weightgenital itching or recurrent thrush

In type 1 diabetes, less common symptoms are:

crampsconstipationblurred visionrecurrent skin infections

In type 2 diabetes, symptoms may go unnoticed for years, and only when complications of diabetes – such as foot ulceration or blurred vision occur – is diabetes diagnosed. Remember that all the symptoms may not be present. Whenever any of these symptoms arise, it’s important to be tested for diabetes.

Diagnosing diabetesDiabetes may be detected in a routine urine test where excess glucose is present. In type 1 diabetes, people often develop symptoms over a few weeks. They may feel thirsty all the time and need to urinate a lot, and they may feel tired and lose weight.

A blood test that measures the level of glucose in the blood will confirm whether or not the underlying cause is diabetes.

It’s predicted that over the next ten years the number of people with diabetes will double.

There are two main aims concerning diabetes:

to try to prevent people developing diabetes at allif someone does develop it, to help them avoid the possible complications

People with a family history of type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing the condition.

Things that put a person at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes are:

getting olderbeing of Asian or African-Caribbean originbeing a woman who has given birth to a large babybeing overweightbeing inactive

Because of these last two factors it’s important to:

eat regularly during the dayeat foods that are low in fat and salteat lots of fruit, vegetables and pulses such as beans, lentils and peascut down on sugar and have reduced sugar foods and drinks

Ideally, you should exercise for at least 30 minutes at least five times a week

A healthy diet needs to be combined with regular exercise to help the weight stay off (‘exercise’ refers to anything that gets the heart rate up). Ideally, you should exercise for at least 30 minutes at least five times a week. Walking, cycling, dancing and swimming are fun and easy for most people to do.

In the past, people with diabetes weren’t encouraged to take part in sporting activities. Nowadays, diabetes should not hinder anyone’s desire to keep fit.

Diabetes is a huge subject and there are reams of webpages devoted to it. It is almost impossible to sift through useful and unuseful information out there. There is no substitute for discussing diabetes with your doctor and following the prescribed treatments.

However, many people find that through dietary and lifestyle changes, they can delay the need to start or increase their medication. You may be interested to read more at the following sites for good advice, especially on lifestyle measures and diets.www.yourdiabetescure.comwww.advanceddiabetic.com