WAYS TO COPE WITH DIABETES

Often, most diabetic sufferers would rather take medicines than managing the sickness. In the case of Type 2 Diabetes, for example, they would rather take insulin shot in a frequent manner to help their blood glucose levels stay in their target range, even if it does not lower their blood glucose levels enough. For people with diabetes, such infection as well as underlying health condition, or even other forms of stress will further contribute to the rise of their blood glucose levels. This is because part of their body’s defense mechanism for fighting the illness and infection puts more glucose into the bloodstream and prevents insulin working properly. Therefore, knowing how to cope with the illness in the first place will help mitigate the greater risks of suffering from its complications.

1. CONTROLLING TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES

One of the aims of diabetes management is achieving control of blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat levels. Good control is very crucial in helping to avoid developing the long-term complications of diabetes. To help control blood glucose levels in the case of Type 1 Diabetes, it is necessary to take insulin which can be administered in different ways, including via a pen, syringe or pump. As for the Type 2 Diabetes, it is a progressive condition and over time, it may be that following a healthy eating plan and being physically active is not sufficient to help control the blood glucose levels. Because of this, if you are someone who has been suffering from Type 2 Diabetes and this situation happens to you; your healthcare expert may advise you to start taking diabetes medication, or even increase and/or alter your dosage if you are already on medication. Bottom line, some people with Type 2 Diabetes in many cases, will need to take insulin very frequently to help control their blood glucose levels.

The table below here is a guide to the blood pressure and blood fat targets which you may refer to, yet, you still need to seek advice from your healthcare expert regarding your individual target levels.

2. MEDICATION

From medical standpoint, blood glucose levels rise when a person is off their food or eating less than usual. Diet and lifestyle changes may not be enough to achieve those blood pressure and blood fat targets hence medication may be required. People with Type 1 Diabetes, for instance, they may need to test blood or urine for ketones if blood glucose levels are 15mmol/l or more. Likewise, they may need to continue taking insulin shot or diabetes medication and adjust the dose accordingly in response to their test results. They may need to take carbohydrate containing drinks such as milk and other milky drinks, fruit juice or sugary drinks such as ordinary cola or lemonade if they are being sick. Also, they may need to eat little and have plenty of sugar-free drinks in case if they have no appetite. Overall, managing diabetes can at times appear to be incredibly demanding and some people who find the kind of support and encouragement from their social circles can be really beneficial in helping them cope with the disease.

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DIABETES – MYTHS Vs. FACTS

We all know that there are a lot of old wives' tales (myths) and facts concerning diabetes out there. Scouring the internet for specific and reliable information about the best diet for diabetes may leave you feeling confused. Diabetes, with its chronic and long term complications along with other myriad of disorders associated with the illness, is the major health jeopardy. While there is no shortage of advice, it has often become challenging to discern fact (reality) from fiction (myth).

1. MYTH: "Eating sugar causes diabetes".

- FACT: Eating sugar does not directly cause diabetes. However, consuming a sugary diet can lead to overweight and obesity, which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Although this is a common myth, perhaps understandably that blood sugar levels play an essential role in diabetes, however, sugar itself is not a causal factor. For example, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), eating too much sugar alone does not cause diabetes but it may be a contributing factor in some cases. Additionally, Type 1 Diabetes is typically caused when an environmental trigger provokes a genetic predisposition for diabetes to express itself, whereas Type 2 Diabetes is often triggered by various risk factors including genetics and certain lifestyle choices.

2. MYTH: "Diabetes is not a serious disease".

- FACT: A series of complications such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney stones, blindness, skin conditions, and hearing impairment are due to diabetes. In the year of 2018, for instance, diabetes was the underlying cause of 84,946 mortalities in the U.S. The World Health Organization, in fact, estimated that diabetes caused the death of 1.6 million people in 2016.

3. MYTH: "You can eat whatever you want during your medication".

- FACT: Taking diabetes medication is not a ticket to eat whatever you want or as often as you want. Taking your medication as prescribed is as important as adhering to a nutrient-dense diet. This is because following a diet that is rich in produce, lean meats, and complex carbs not only helps you manage your diabetes in the long term, but it can also help you manage other chronic conditions that could develop along with diabetes such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

4. MYTH: "Fats do not matter".

- FACT: According to the American Heart Association, having Type 2 Diabetes increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Part of this connection is due to the fact that many people with diabetes are also living with extra weight and often have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. In order to lower your risk of heart issues, avoid trans-fats when possible and limit saturated fat in your diet. Eating a lot of foods that are rich in saturated fats such as high-fat dairy products and fried items can increase your unhealthy cholesterol levels and raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.

5. MYTH: "Amputation is inevitable for diabetic people".

- FACT: When poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to blood vessel damage in the long run, which in turn leads to complications such as foot ulcers, amputation, nerve damage, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and even stroke. However, such complications are avoidable if diabetes is properly managed. For this reason, it is important for diabetic patients to go for regular screenings of their feet, eyes and kidneys to monitor for the above-mentioned complications.

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TYPES OF DIABETES COMPLICATIONS

As we know, diabetes is one of the serious diseases and if not well managed, it can lead to several health complications affecting many areas of the body, which include your eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves and feet. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population in the UK. Still, however, the good news is that by keeping blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat levels as near to normal as possible together with following a healthy lifestyle, the risks of developing diabetes complications can be reduced.

 

I. HYPOGLYCAEMIA

Hypoglycemia practically refers to low blood glucose levels which is less than 4mmol/l. This can happen when diabetes is treated with insulin and/or with some diabetes medication. Hypoglycemia should be treated immediately because if not treated, the symptoms can become worse to the point where a person can become unconscious. Some of the reasons and warning signs for hypoglycemia are:

1. Too much diabetes medication.

2. Delayed meal or snack.

3. Insufficient carbohydrate.

4. Hunger.

5. Trembling.

6. Sweating.

7. Mood change.

8. Paleness.

 

II. HYPERGLYCEMIA

Unlike hypoglycemia where the blood glucose is on the low level, hyperglycemia in contrast refers to having high levels of blood glucose. Consistently having high levels of blood glucose if left untreated, it can lead to a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis in people with Type 1 diabetes. What’s more, the initial symptoms of raised blood glucose levels include passing more urine and feeling thirsty, which can cause you to become dehydrated and if left untreated, the symptoms will progress and cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and eventual unconsciousness.

 

III. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)

People with diabetes are four to five times more at risk of developing CVD compared to people without diabetes. As it triggers heart disease, stroke and all other diseases of the heart and circulation, poorly controlled blood glucose, blood pressure, as well as blood fat levels increase the likelihood of narrowing and blocking of the arteries, which is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, in relation to CVD, can lead to certain areas of the body being starved of essential oxygen and nutrients. Hence, if an artery leading to the heart becomes blocked, it can cause a heart attack. However, if the blockage happens to an artery leading to the brain, it can cause a stroke.

 

IV. EYES (RETINOPATHY)

As mentioned previously, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population in the UK. People with diabetes are literally at risk of developing retinopathy when the blood vessels in the retina become blocked, leaky or grow injudiciously. The damage inflicted, subsequently, gets in the way of the light passing through to the retina (part of the eye) and if left untreated, it can damage your vision. Over time, narrowing of blood vessels can harm the heart, brain, legs, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and skin; resulting in heart failure, strokes, leg cramps during walking, "poor vision (retinopathy)", kidney stones, damage to nerves (neuropathy), and skin breakdown.

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SEVERAL SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

The symptoms of diabetes occur because some or all of the glucose stays in the blood and it is not being used as a source of fuel for energy, particularly when the body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by flushing the excess glucose out of the body in the urine. In fact, the main symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes can include:

1. Going to the toilet all the time, especially at night.

2. Increased thirst.

3. Extreme degree of tiredness.

4. Unexplained weight loss.

5. Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush/sprue.

6. Slow healing of cuts and wounds.

7. Blurred vision.

In the case of Type 1 Diabetes, the signs and symptoms are usually very obvious and develop very quickly which is typically over a few weeks. The symptoms are quickly relieved once the diabetes is treated and under control. Whereas in the case of Type 2 Diabetes, the signs and symptoms may not be so obvious as the condition develops slowly over a period of years, and may only be picked up in a routine medical checkup. In any case, the symptoms of diabetes are quickly relieved once it is treated and kept under control.

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UNDERSTANDING WHAT DIABETES IS ALL ABOUT

From medical standpoint, the disease called diabetes occurs when your glucose (blood sugar) is too high above the normal level. The amount of glucose discovered in your body is basically the main type of sugar which derives from the food you consume, and is also made in your liver and muscles where your blood carries glucose to all of your body’s cells to use for energy. In United Kingdom alone, diabetes is a common life-long health condition and there are roughly around 2.5 million people are being diagnosed with this particular illness. Simply put, it is a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is exceedingly high to the point where your body cannot use it properly.

Technically, your pancreas organ located between your stomach and spine helps with digestion and releases a hormone it makes called insulin into your blood. This insulin, in addition, helps your blood carry the amount of glucose to all your body’s cells. When your pancreas does not produce enough insulin resistance to help glucose enter your body’s cells or when glucose stays in your blood, this will inflict the glucose (blood sugar) levels get too high and cause you to have diabetes or pre-diabetes. After all, having too much glucose in your blood over time can also cause other serious health problems.

Furthermore, insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas organ that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells where it is used as a source of fuel for energy so we can work, play and generally live our lives. While the glucose stems from digesting carbohydrate and is also produced by the liver, carbohydrate on the other hand comes from many different kinds of foods and drink, including starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, some dairy products; sugar and other sweet foods. If you have diabetes, your body cannot make proper use of this glucose so it builds up in the blood and isn’t able to be used as a source of fuel for energy. In any case, there are two types of main diabetes which are Type 1 and Type 2.

Below here is the illustration of how diabetes develops when the amount of glucose cannot enter your body’s cells properly to be used as a source of fuel for energy.

TYPE 1 DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. As you have already learned from the above illustration, insulin is the key that unlocks the door to the body’s cells. Once the door is unlocked, only then can glucose enter the cells where it is used as a source of fuel for energy. In the case of Type 1 Diabetes, the body is unable to produce any insulin so there is no key to unlock the door and the glucose builds up in the blood. When this occurs, your body is having abnormal reaction to your cells. After all, Type 1 Diabetes can develop at any age and usually appears before the age of 40, especially in childhood.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

Unlike the type 1, Type 2 Diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly. As mentioned previously, insulin acts as a key unlocking the cells and therefore if there is not enough insulin or it is not working properly, the cells are only partially unlocked and the amount of glucose builds up in the blood. In the case of Type 2 Diabetes, it usually appears in people over the age of 40 though in South Asian and black people who are at greater risk often suffer from the age of 25. Nonetheless, the Type 2 Diabetes is increasingly becoming more common in children, adolescents and young people of all ethnicities which accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent.

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