What is diabetes and
what are the symptoms? Does a cure to diabetes really exist?
In this article I’ll try to answer the above questions in simple
layman’s terms.
Diabetes is a disease that affects the way your body processes
sugars absorbed from food and drink. Normally, sugar is broken down
as it is digested, into a simpler form called glucose, which is then
absorbed into cells to provide energy when required. An organ called
the pancreas produces a hormone named insulin, which helps the
absorbsion of glucose into the bodies blood cells. A properly
functioning pancreas will adjust the level of insulin depending on
the amount of glucose in the body. When you have diabetes, the
pancreas stops working normally and the levels of glucose become too
high and can eventually cause organ failure and diabetic comas.
The are two types of diabetes, named type 1 and type 2. A cure to
diabetes would help both of these.
Type 1 diabetes is where the pancreas has stopped working normally
and is not producing any insulin or very little. This will normally
happen before the age of 30, but can strike at any age. The reasons
for this are not fully understood, but it can be an inherited
condition. Individuals with this form of diabetes will require
regular injections of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is very different. A person with this disorder will
produce enough insulin, but the cells in the body have become
resistant to it and are unable to absorb it. This condition will
usually start in people of 35 years or older, but can affect anybody
including children. Type 2 diabetes is generally caused by being
obese (too fat), having little or no exercise, being genetically
venerable or getting old.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are being very thirsty, urinating
more frequently, getting tired and irritable, having extreme hunger,
unusual weight loss.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include any of the symptoms of type
1 and frequent infections, blurred vision, cuts or bruises that heal
slowly, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, frequent skin,
gum or bladder infections. A lot of the time people have no symptoms
with type 2 diabetes.
If you have one of more of the above symptoms,
please go and see your doctor and get professional advice.
Obesity levels are at an all time high, the epidemic of type 2
diabetes is growing at an alarming rate, and will only get worse.
Between 2001 and 2002, the diagnosis of diabetes has gone from 5.5%
of Americans to an alarming 6.5 percent. In just one year!
Overall, twelve million Americans have been diagnosed and another 5
million Americans have diabetes and don’t even know it. And yet
another 12 million are on their way to type 2 diabetes their glucose
levels are impaired.
Not knowing is the worst because risks of untreated diabetes puts us
at a greater risk of complications including but not limited to
blindness, amputations and ultimately death.
The stickler is, that type 2 diabetes is almost completely
preventable. Doctor’s say eat less, eat better and exercise. The
numbers show just how many Americans are
currently overweight.
Statistically, people are now living longer, and it has been on the
rise for years. But this will not continue if type 2 diabetes is not
put under control.
We are a gready society and ultimately it is affecting how we live
and how long we live.
And unfortunately, the diabetes epidemic is not just a problem for
the US. It's spreading worldwide with epidemic reports in Asia, the
Middle East and the Caribbean.
It is estimated that by 2025, the number of people with diabetes
worldwide, will rise to 380 million. And it's now affecting more of
the young and middle-aged population in
developing countries between the ages of 40 and 59.
Diabetes In Children
Diabetes in children is also known as juvenile diabetes, but more
commonly known as type 1 diabetes. It is the most common form of
diabetes in children with ninety to
ninety-five percent of carriers being under 16.
Juvenile diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to
produce insulin. It is an autoimmune disease, which means the bodies
own defense system attacks the
body’s tissues or organs.
In the last 30 years the number of juvenile diabetes had increased
three times over and in Europe and the US we are now seeing type 2
diabetes in children for the first time.
Obesity easily explains type 2, but not why there is such a rise in
type 1 diabetes in children. It is believed that a mixture of
genetics and environmental factors are what
triggers juvenile diabetes. But the majority of children don’t have
a family history of diabetes.
The symptoms for juvenile diabetes are the same as in adults.
Thirst, weight loss, fatigue, frequent urination is typical, but
diabetes in children can also increase stomach
pains, headaches and behavior problems.
Doctors should consider the possibility of diabetes in children who
have unexplained stomach pains for a few weeks, along with the
typical symptoms.
If you believe your child may be experiencing these symptoms you
should schedule them for a thorough examination and tell your doctor
what you suspect your
child may have. Be sure to tell them about any and all symptoms your
child may be experiencing.
Diabetes in Pets
It is not only the human kind that can develop diabetes. Even our
beloved pets, no matter how well we care for them, can develop
diabetes.
This is often a scary situation for the pet owner and the first
question that is usually asked of the veterinarian is 'will my pet
need to be put to sleep'. Of course this is a difficult issue and
the answer may vary on the overall age and health of your pet.
Many older pets that are diagnosed with diabetes go on to live many
more happy years, but this takes commitment and close care of your
pet.
Diabetic cats and dogs can live just as long as perfectly healthy
pet if the diabetes is diagnosed and treated properly by both the
veterinarian and the owner.
This takes great commitment from the owner. Pets must be cared for
and watched daily with a high level of care and patience.
There can be no feeding the cat and forgetting until the next day.
There is no leaving the pet along to go on a trip. Every day your
pet will need medication, fed a proper
diet and his behaviour will need to be monitored closely.
This doesn’t mean you will have to give up your job and stay home
full time with your pet, but it does mean you will have to pay more
attention to what his behaviour is and know what to do if the
situation should change.
It is also more of a financial obligation to have a sick pet. So it
is something that should be discussed in length with your vet.
