Posts Tagged ‘Type 2 Diabetes’

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in which patients present with absolute or relative insulin deficiency. It affects about 6% of western populations and is a major contributing factor for heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes mellitus is also the leading cause of new blindness without a cure.

Types of Diabetes

There are four types of diabetes and they are as follows:

1.  TYPE 1 DIABETES

Around 10 to 15 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes have Type I diabetes.  It is a serious and chronic disease and usually affects young people below 18 years of age.  This is also known as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes.

People with Type 1 diabetes have high blood glucose levels because their pancreas is not producing insulin.  People with this form of diabetes require daily insulin therapy to survive. This form is further split into idiopathic diabetes and immune mediated diabetes.

2. TTYPE 2 DIABETES

Around 85 to 90 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.  This type of diabetes is more common among people aged 40 years and over.

It is marked by reduced levels of insulin (insulin deficiency) and/or the inability of the body to use insulin properly (insulin resistance).  It is also worth mentioning that most people with Type 2 diabetes are obese.

3. GESTATIONAL DIABETES

About three to eight percent of women who have not been diagnosed with diabetes, develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.  It is a temporary form of diabetes and usually disappears after the baby is born.

When this occurs, it usually presents a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Screening tests for gestational diabetes are usually performed around the 24th-28th week of pregnancy.

4. OTHER TYPES OF DIABETES

Other types of diabetes can develop among people who have diabetes as a result of a genetic defect, or exposure to certain drugs or chemicals.

Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is caused largely by the resistance to or the deficient production of the hormone insulin.  Insulin helps the glucose move from the blood into the cells.

In type 1 immune mediated diabetes, pancreatic beta cell destruction results in failure to release insulin and ineffective transport of glucose. There is no known cause for idiopathic diabetes.

In type 2 diabetes, the beta cells release insulin however, the receptors are resisting the insulin and the glucose transport is variable and inefficient. Some people may have conditions that can cause diabetes, such as Cushing’s syndrome, pancreatitis or liver disease.

Some of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

a. Obesity
b. History of Gestational diabetes
c. Lack of physical activity
d. Hypertension
e. Age 45+
f. Ethnic groupings other than anglo-saxon
g. Low HDL cholesterol levels
h. Impaired glucose tolerance
i. Family history

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

Below is a list of symptoms to watch out for:

• dehydration
• unexplained weight loss
• excessive thirst
• frequent need to urinate
• fatigue
• lethargy
• severe irritation and itching
• excessive hunger
• blurred vision
• skin and urinary infections
• vaginitis

Testing for Diabetes

As the symptoms for diabetes are sometimes mild, some people go through life without finding out that they have diabetes.  Often, it only gets detected when a person suffers a problem that is caused by diabetes.  This includes heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, poor wound healing or a foot ulcer, certain eye problems, certain fungal infections, or delivering a baby with macrosomia or hypoglycemia.

Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance may also be detected on routine blood tests as part of a general health check up or investigation for other symptoms or diseases. Diabetes tests check blood glucose levels. Someone with a random non fasting blood glucose level greater than 200mg/dl accompanied by other symptoms, or someone with a fasting blood glucose level greater than 126mg/dl can be diagnosed with diabetes.

Treating Diabetes

To normalize blood glucose and reduce complications, diabetics should adapt a healthy diet and an exercise program in addition to using insulin replacement.

Changes to their diet should focus on achieving weight loss and regulating your blood sugar.  It is best that they keep their blood sugar levels relatively stable throughout the day.

For Type 1 diabetes, the replacement of insulin combined with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors is highly recommended.

For Type 2 diabetes, oral anti-diabetic drugs may be required to stimulate the body’s insulin production and increase insulin sensitivity. Various forms of natural supplements for diabetes treatment have also been postulated as effective.

People with unstable diabetes, or those requiring many injections a day, may benefit from an insulin pump which is worn on the body and delivers a continuous infusion of insulin via a needle implanted into the body.

Gestational diabetes is fully treatable but requires careful medical supervision throughout the pregnancy. Even though it may be transient, untreated gestational diabetes can damage the health of the fetus or the mother.

As long as the diabetic has been properly trained, given appropriate care and has discipline in testing and dosing of insulin, the diabetic’s normal activities need not be impaired.

Complications

Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of adult kidney failure. If undetected or poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, heart attack, stroke and impotence.

I’m only a teenager, and my dad has type 2 diabetes, my cousin on my dad’s side has Type 1, and my grandfather, plus his 6 relatives all have Type 1 and 2 on my dad’s side. What are my chances of getting diabetes? What is the ratio? Can I prevent diabetes? And will I have to go to the hospital if I am diagnosed with Type 1 or 2 diabetes?

One of the things that you need to do when you are diagnosed with diabetes is to understand what the disease is all about.  It is normal to feel afraid when diagnosed with diabetes.  You will feel better once you know what it is and how to deal with it.  Keep in mind that diabetes is a serious disease and should be treated immediately.

What Diabetes Means

When you have diabetes, your body loses the ability to use insulin properly and in some cases, loses the capability to create sufficient insulin that your body needs.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.  It helps you move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into the cells of your body to produce the energy needed for the body to function.  Without insulin, the sugar cannot enter the cells and this results to the sugar build up in the bloodstream.

The Different Types of Diabetes

1.  PRE-DIABETES

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which people have a higher than normal level of blood sugar but not high enough to be considered diabetes.  When you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it is highly recommended that you adapt a change in lifestyle to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

2.  TYPE 1 DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease.  The immune system attacks the beta cells in your pancreas, which produces the insulin.  When the immune system attacks the pancreas, this causes the pancreas to:

• lessen the amount of insulin it makes; or
• stop making insulin at all

This type of diabetes is more common among whites than it is among people of other races.

3.  TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes.  In fact, in the United States alone, more than 20 million people are affected by this condition.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body cannot properly utilize the insulin that it produces.  This condition is called insulin resistance.  This usually happens when you are overweight and body fat makes it harder for the body to use the insulin your body produces.

There may be other risk factors, including aging, physical inactivity, race, family history of type 2 diabetes, etc.

4.  GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy when blood sugar levels are higher than pre-pregnancy levels. While the cause of this type of diabetes is still unknown, some experts believe that the hormones produced by the placenta interfere with the mother’s capacity to use her own insulin.

If this type of diabetes is not carefully controlled, the baby may be affected. Fortunately, gestational diabetes is usually caught in an early stage and the baby does not suffer any complications.

Testing for Diabetes

There are two different test which can determine the type of diabetes a person has.  These are:

• The FPG test (Fasting Plasma Glucose) – measures the glycemia level after fasting for an eight hour period.
• The OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) -  measures the glycemia level after drinking a standardized drink, rich in glucose. Glycemia levels are then tested several times over a period of four hours.

What To Do When You Have Diabetes

While being diagnosed with diabetes can be frightening, others have opted to look at this as an excellent opportunity to adopt healthier habits.  Take control of your health, choose the right treatment for you and implement it immediately.

If you are a Type 1 diabetic, you will need insulin each and every day. If you have type 2, gestational or pre-diabetes, you probably will not need insulin.

Remember that it is vital that you keep your glycemia level under control.  Maintaining it in the correct range is the first mandatory step.  Scientific studies have consistently shown that attaining this goal helps minimize the risk of complications.  Strict blood sugar control drastically reduces the chances of suffering most of the diabetes-related complications such as kidney, eye and nerve diseases.

Another important issue is the way you deal with food.  Healthy eating habits can help diabetics control their weight and their diabetes easily.  Opt for the low Glycemic Index (GI) diets which help maintain body weight and blood sugar in the right levels. It is also important for the diabetic to follow a heart-healthy diet with high complex carbs content, high fiber and low fat content, to prevent hypertension and high cholesterol.

Keep in mind that no matter what type of diabetes you have, you do not need to live a miserable life full of restrictions and sufferings.  Improve your condition with the appropriate lifestyle modifications including diet, weight control, exercise and nutritional supplements.

Controlling Diabetes

People with Type 1 diabetes can control their disease with a combination of a healthy diet, frequent exercise, the appropriate nutritional supplements, and of course insulin.

On the other hand, people with other types of diabetes may be able to keep their glycemia under control and even reverse their diabetes with just diet, exercise and supplements.  These are the three fundamental pillars of any diabetes treatment.

It is surprising to know that majority of the people diagnosed with diabetes are not properly informed on the dangers that a diabetic are confronted with.  If diabetes is not properly managed, it will continue to worsen and will result in complications.  These complications are the true killers of diabetes.

With all things being equal, a diabetic, on average,  has a shorter life span than the non-diabetics.  They live almost 10 years less than their non-diabetic counterpart.  This is largely due to diabetic complications.

What Are Diabetic Complications?

Diabetic complications are due to a condition in which the excess sugar saturates the inside of the body cells.  This is called by the medical community as the Advanced Glycation End (AGE).  This condition also includes the following:

• coronary artery disease
• vascular disease
• blindness
• kidney disease
• retinopathy (blindness)
• loss of feeling in the hands and the feet (peripheral neuropathy)

Since diabetes do not exhibit symptoms in the early stages, it is possible for a diabetic to remain undiagnosed for years. It is during these years that the beginnings of diabetic complications can gain a foothold due excess sugar in the cells (AGE).

Are Diabetic Complications A Certainty?

Over time, there is a higher potential of a diabetic becoming diagnosed with one or more diabetic complications.  How well the diabetic monitors and controls his blood sugar will determine whether or not complications will arise.  Excellent control of blood sugar as well as adapting an active lifestyle will benefit the diabetic in preventing and slowing down the onset of diabetic complications.

Keep in mind that drastic rises and falls of blood sugar can be hard on the body and the excess sugar present in the cells can create havoc on the different nerves within the body as well as the capillaries, veins, and arteries.

The Different Types Of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes -

• Type I
• Type II

Of the people diagnosed with diabetes, 10% have Type I while the other 90% have Type II.

Type I is usually found in children and young adults.  It develops when the pancreas fail to produce insulin which is needed to break down sugars and starches to convert them into energy.  On the other hand, Type II usually occurs later in an adults life.  It develops when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin.  This can be due to several factors such as obesity.

The main difference between the two types is that Type I diabetics are completely dependent on insulin and take daily injections while majority of the Type II diabetics rely on oral medication and/or changes in diet and exercise.  There are only a few Type II diabetics who require insulin shots.

The Risk Factors Surrounding Diabetes

There are several risk factors that can push a pre-diabetic into full blown diabetes.  These are:

• being overweight
• family history of diabetes
• lack of adequate exercise
• history of gestational diabetes (occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery)
• certain ethnic groups

People over 45 years of age and has one or several of the risk factors mentioned above should be screened for diabetes each year, preferably during an annual medical exam. It has been shown that people with these risk factors comprise the majority of diagnosed cases of diabetes each year.

What Tests Help Diagnose Diabetes Cases?

There are two main tests used for determining whether or not a person has a glucose intolerance:

1. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Both of these tests can determine glucose intolerance in which blood sugar is higher than what is considered normal. Do note however, that this is not always an indication of diabetes.

Can The Onset Of Diabetes Be Prevented?

Making a significant lifestyle change can help a lot in preventing the development of a full-blown diabetes especially with people who are considered high risk.  Some of the changes that you can do include:

• changing unhealthy diets
• adapting an exercise program to help offset increased blood sugar levels
• keeping the body healthy
• losing weight especially if considered obese by the medical community

Those who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes need to stay on a strict diabetic diet.  It is best that you consult your healthcare professional for a diet that is right for you.  Eat small, nutritious meals.  Consider eating five times a day instead of only three.  It would also be good to limit cakes, candies, cookies, and other things made of simple sugars.

On the other hand, if you already have a full-blown diabetes, it would be advisable that you strictly follow the diet that your healthcare professional recommends.  Keep your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar within proper limits and have your eyes checked every year.

Keep in mind that diabetes can contribute to blindness, kidney disease and heart disease.  Further, complications from diabetes caused nearly 70,000 deaths in 2000.

Diabetic Complications

As mentioned above, diabetic complications can be prevented, lessened or delayed by paying serious attention to your lifestyle.  A diabetic who eats right, keeps his blood sugar in control and within accepted limits, exercises and gets proper rest can expect to have a quality of life that is much higher in terms of the pain and suffering that diabetic complications brings into the lives of diabetics who do nothing to change their lifestyle.

Diabetics are faced with the possibility of becoming an invalid, blind, an amputee and will be prone to suffer renal failure or a heart attack if they do not control their blood sugars and make the necessary lifestyle change.

While the consequences of not adapting a lifestyle change is scary, the advantages of making a lifestyle change certainly makes everything worthwhile.  In fact, research has shown that those who keep their blood sugar within acceptable limits and follow a healthy, diabetic lifestyle stands a much better chance of not developing many of the complications that their less dedicated counterparts do.

There is a new derivative of thiamine (Vitamin B1) available now that is showing great promise in greatly reducing the excess sugar in the cells of the diabetic, the process known as Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGE).

Is Benfotiamine Effective Against Diabetic Complications?

Benfotiamine is a lipid soluble derivative of thiamine. Japanese researchers developed benfotiamine in the 1950s and later patented it in the United States in 1962. No one in the US medical community paid much attention to it at the time. For the past 12 years in Europe it has been used for neuropathy, retinopathy and other uses.

The chemical name and formula for benfotiamine is: S-benzoylthiamine-O-monophosphate (C19H23N4O6PS). It wasn’t until a group of researchers in New York at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University released the results of their research in 2003 in Nature Medicine Magazine did the rest of the world begin to take a look at this substance.

Benfotiamine is unique and was reported by Michael Brownlee, M.D., as showing much promise in preventing nerve and blood-vessel damage in diabetics. Every diagnosed diabetic has been told by his/her healthcare provider that diabetic complications are the true killers in terms of diabetes.

I know that when it comes to type 2 diabetes, if a person’s weight is kept in check, he/she will have a better chance of not developing diabetes. But what about type 1 diabetes?

Statistics show that around 8% of the people in the United States have diabetes.  This number easily translates to approximately 16 million people.  Further, the American Diabetes Association estimates that every year, diabetes accounts for the following:

• 178,000 deaths
• 54,000 amputees
• 12,000-24,000 cases of blindness

If neglected, diabetes can cause serious health complications, ranging from blindness to kidney failure.  And because of all these complications, it is predicted that diabetes will exceed both heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death.

Symptoms of Diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes include:

• excessive urination
• excessive thirst and hunger
• sudden weight loss
• blurred vision
• delay in healing of wounds
• dry and itchy skin
• repeated infections
• fatigue and headache

Two Types of Diabetes

There are two different types of diabetes:

1.  TYPE I DIABETES

This is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. It is responsible for 5-10% of cases of diabetes.  It is more common in Caucasians and it runs within the family.

Type I diabetes is caused by a pancreatic inability to produce insulin.  The pancreatic cells which secrete the hormones, are destroyed by the body’s own immune system.  This is probably because the body mistakes it for a virus.  Viral infections are thought to be the trigger that sets off this auto-immune disease.

As a result, the body cells starve because they no longer receive the hormonal prompt to take in glucose. If left untreated, this will lead to death within a few months.

While most Type I diabetics are young, do note that this type of diabetes can develop at any age.  You can have yourself checked through a blood test which shows the presence of anti-insulin/anti-islet-cell antibodies.

2.  TYPE II DIABETES

This is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes.   It accounts for 90-95% of all cases.  While Type II is generally hereditary, it is unlikely to develop in normal-weight individuals eating a low- or moderate-carbohydrate diet.

The following groups are more likely to develop this type of diabetes:

• Obese, sedentary individuals who eat poor-quality diets based on refined starch.  As these constantly activates pancreatic insulin secretion, they become prone to develop insulin resistance.
• Native peoples such as North American Indians whose traditional diets did not include refined starch until its recent introduction by Europeans have extremely high rates of diabetes.
• Blacks and hispanics are also at higher risk.

This type of diabetes is a result of body tissues becoming resistant to insulin.  Often, while the pancreas is producing more than average amounts of insulin, the body cells have become unresponsive due to the chronically high level of the hormone. Eventually, the pancreas may exhaust its over-active secretion of the hormone and the insulin levels fall to below normal.

This type of diabetes can lead to health complications over several years and cause severe disability and premature death.

This type of diabetes is found primarily in one age group.  Usually in people over 40 years of age.  However, with the rise of childhood and teenage obesity, the Type II diabetes is appearing in children as well.

Complications of Diabetes

As had been mentioned several times, diabetes can lead to life-threatening complications if not properly managed.  Some complications include:

• kidney damage (nephropathy)
• heart disease
• nerve damage (neuropathy)
• retinal damage and blindness(retinopathy)
• hypoglycemia (drastic reduction in glucose levels).

Diabetes also damages blood vessels, especially smaller end-arteries, leading to severe and premature atherosclerosis.  People with diabetes are also prone to foot problems as their feet lose sensation.  This condition is called neuropathy and affects approximately 10% of patients.  Foot injuries become common to diabetic and often go unnoticed.  These injuries do not heal because of poor circulation through the small arteries in the foot. Gangrene and subsequent amputation of toes or feet is the consequence for many elderly patients with poorly-controlled diabetes.

Controlling Diabetes

Sadly, there is no permanent cure for diabetes.  However, strict dietary monitoring and insulin injections can help control Type I diabetes.  Implanted pumps which release insulin immediately in response to changes in blood glucose are in the testing stages.

Since Type II diabetes is largely caused by diet, in theory it should be easily preventable and managed.  In practice though, many diabetic and obese people without diabetes find it difficult to adhere to a healthy diet much more lose weight.  As a result, they are frequently treated with drugs which restore the body’s response to insulin and in some cases, they are injected with insulin.

If you suspect you have diabetes or are in a high risk group, please see your doctor and have yourself tested.