Diabetes - The Club You Don't Want To Join

It's certain that some people reading this article have diabetes, and it's just as likely that many other readers will develop this disease sometime during 2002. Everyone who is reading this article surely knows someone who struggles with this illness. With these facts, take the information that follows and use it to help yourself and others.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are two major types of diabetes:
Type 1 - A disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of diabetes.

Type 2 - A metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Type 1diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.

When sugar builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
Over time, high blood sugar levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic! Sure, diabetes is serious. But people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. You can too by taking good care of yourself.

The pancreas, an organ near your stomach, produces insulin. The pancreas contains cells called beta cells. Beta cells have a vital job: They make insulin, a hormone that helps cells take in the sugar they need.

Sometimes, the beta cells get wiped out and cannot produce insulin anymore. Many things might have killed your beta cells, but in most people with Type 1 diabetes, the immune system makes a mistake. Cells that normally protect you from germs attack your beta cells instead. The beta cells die. Without beta cells, you make no insulin. Sugar builds up in your blood, and you get diabetes.

Many people with Type 1 diabetes live long, healthy lives. The key is keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range, which can be done with meal planning, exercise and insulin. You will also need to check your blood sugar levels regularly. To check your blood sugar, you need a drop of blood. Place the drop on a special test strip. A device called a glucose meter tells how much glucose the drop of blood contains. Your health care provider will tell you how often to check your blood sugar level.

What Can Go Wrong?High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)What Is Hyperglycemia?
Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood sugar. High blood sugar starts when the body has too little, or not enough, insulin or when the body can't use insulin properly. A number of things can cause hyperglycemia. For example, if you have type 1diabetes, you may not have given yourself enough insulin. If you have type 2diabetes, your body may have enough insulin, but it is not as effective as it should be.

The problem could be that you ate more than planned or exercised less than planned. The stress of an illness, such as a cold or flu, could also be the cause. Other stresses, such as family conflicts or school or dating problems, could also cause hyperglycemia.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hyperglycemia? The signs and symptoms include: high blood sugar, high levels of sugar in the urine, frequent urination, and increased thirst.

Part of keeping your diabetes in control is testing your blood sugar often. Ask your doctor how often you should test and what your blood sugar levels should be. Testing your blood and then treating high blood sugar early will help you avoid the other symptoms of hyperglycemia. It's important to treat hyperglycemia as soon as you detect it. If you fail to treat hyperglycemia, a condition called ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) could occur. Ketoacidosis develops when your body doesn't have enough insulin. Without insulin, your body can't use glucose for fuel. So, your body breaks down fats to use for energy.

When your body breaks down fats, waste products called ketones are produced. Your body cannot tolerate large amounts of ketones and will try to get rid of them through the urine. Unfortunately, the body cannot release all the ketones and they build up in your blood. This can lead to ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis is life-threatening and needs immediate treatment. Symptoms include: shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, nausea and vomiting, and a very dry mouth. Talk to your doctor about how to handle this condition.

How Do You Treat Hyperglycemia? Often, you can lower your blood sugar level by exercising. However, if your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, do NOT exercise.

Exercising when ketones are present may make your blood-sugar level go even higher. You'll need to work with your doctor to find the safest way for you to lower your blood sugar level. Cutting down on the amount of food you eat might also help. Work with your dietitian to make changes in your meal plan. If exercise and changes in your diet don't work, your doctor may change the amount of your medication or insulin or possibly the timing of when you take it.

How Do You Prevent Hyperglycemia?Your best bet is to practice good diabetes control. The trick is learning to detect and treat hyperglycemia early -- before it can get worse.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)What Are The Symptoms Of Hypoglycemia?
The symptoms include:
Shakiness
Dizziness
Sweating
Hunger
Headache
Pale skin color
Sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no apparent reason
Clumsy or jerky movements
Difficulty paying attention, or confusion
Tingling sensations around the mouth

How do you know when your blood sugar is low?
Part of keeping diabetes in control is testing blood sugar often. Ask your doctor how often you should test and what your blood sugar levels should be. The results from testing your blood will tell you when your blood sugar is low and that you need to treat it.

You should test your blood sugar level according to the schedule you work out with your doctor. More importantly, though, you should test your blood whenever you feel an insulin reaction coming on. After you test and see that your blood sugar level is low, you should treat this condition quickly.

If you feel a reaction coming on but cannot test, it's best to treat the reaction rather than wait. Remember this simple rule:
When in doubt, treat.

How Do You Treat Hypoglycemia?
The quickest way to raise your blood sugar is with some form of sugar, such as 3 glucose tablets (you can buy these at the drug store), 1/2 cup of fruit juice, or 5-6 pieces of hard candy. Ask your health care professional or dietitian to list foods that you can use to treat an insulin reaction. And then, be sure you always have at least one type of sugar with you. Once you've tested your blood and treated your reaction, wait 15 or 20 minutes and test your blood again. If your blood sugar is still low and your symptoms don't go away, repeat the treatment. After you feel better, be sure to eat your regular meals and snacks as planned to keep your blood sugar level up.

It's important to treat hypoglycemia quickly because it can get worse and you could pass out. If you pass out, you will need IMMEDIATE treatment, such as an injection of glucagon or emergency treatment in a hospital.

Glucagon raises blood sugar. It is injected like insulin. Ask your doctor to prescribe it for you and tell you how to use it. You need to tell people around you (such as family members and co-workers) how and when to inject glucagon should you ever need it.

If glucagon is not available, you should be taken to the nearest emergency room for treatment. If you need immediate medical assistance or an ambulance, someone should call the emergency number in your area (such as 911) for help. It's a good idea to post emergency numbers by the telephone.

If you pass out, people should:
1. NOT inject insulin
2. NOT give you food or fluids
3. NOT put their hands in your mouth
4. Inject glucagon
5. Call for emergency help

How do you prevent hypoglycemia? Good diabetes control is the best way we know to prevent hypoglycemia. The trick is to learn to recognize the symptoms of an insulin reaction. This way, you can treat low blood sugar before it gets worse.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.

When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
Over time, high blood sugar levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic! Diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. You can too by taking good care of yourself.

Is It Curable?In people with Type 2 diabetes, glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. But with treatment, your blood sugar levels may go down to normal again. But this does not mean you are cured. Instead, a blood sugar level in your target range shows that your treatment plan is working and that you are taking care of your diabetes.

Taking Care Of Your DiabetesThe goal of treatment is to lower your blood sugar and improve your body's use of insulin with:
Meal planning - Eat every three to four hours and combine a protein with a carbohydrate at each meal for a more controlled release of energy in your system and a decreased spike in your insulin levels.

Exercise - Moderate and consistent exercise is best for diabetic control. Consult with your physician and a qualified trainer prior to beginning your program.

Weight loss - Countless studies have shown that obesity is a major factor in causing the onset of diabetes, while many other studies have shown that losing extra fat decrease diabetic risk factors.

Meal planning and getting regular exercise can help your body maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If you're overweight, losing weight can be another big part of your diabetes treatment. It will help your body use insulin better. The best way to lose weight is to exercise and follow a meal plan. With a weight loss meal plan, you will eat fewer calories. Decide with your health care provider how much to lose. Sometimes, just 10 or 20 pounds is enough to bring diabetes under control.

Checking Your Blood SugarIn addition to eating healthy, losing weight and keeping fit, check your blood sugar levels at home to keep track of how you're doing. To check your blood sugar, you need a drop of blood. Place the drop on a special test strip. A device called a glucose meter measures sugar in the drop of blood.

Your health care provider will tell you how often to check your blood sugar. Write down each result, along with the time and date. You will soon learn how well your treatment plan is working, and you will learn how exercise and food affects you.

A Back-Up PlanSometimes, using a meal plan, losing weight and being active are not enough. In addition, your doctor may have you take diabetes pills, insulin shots or both. Your doctor will probably try you on diabetes pills first. But sometimes pills don't work. Or they work at first and then stop. When this happens, your doctor may have you take both pills and insulin, or maybe just insulin alone. Your doctor will tell you what kind of insulin to take, how much and when.
Please take of yourself. Be aware of diabetic warning signs, have a moderate and consistent exercise plan, and eat small meals that combine proteins and carbohydrates every three to four hour, and decrease your daily intake of processed sugar.