Diabetes

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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder characterized by insufficient or defective production of insulin, a hormone produces by the pancreas. Insulin plays an essential role in the metabolism of carbohydrates. As carbohydrates go through the digestive system, they are broken down further and further into their basic components. Glucose, a simple sugar, is one of the final breakdown products of carbohydrates. Every cell in the body needs and uses glucose as its fuel; glucose gives our cells the energy to perform their tasks. Insulin functions as a "key" that opens the "doors" of the cell to let the glucose in. Thus, even though the body may have an abundant supply of glucose, without insulin, it cannot get into the cells, and without glucose, the cells do not have the energy they need to function properly.

The first symptoms of diabetes include increased frequency of urination, increased and often extreme thirst, increased appetite, weight loss (often despite increased consumption of food), irritability, and fatigue. These symptoms usually appear over a period of about three weeks.

The short-term complications of diabetes include episodes of both very low and very high blood sugar. When blood sugar is abnormally low, you may feel dizzy, lethargic, and irritable; be pale and sweaty; have a headache; and experience a loss of coordination. Consuming a quick acting sugar, such as in the form of orange juice, raisins, or honey treats such a mild hypoglycemic episode. A more severe episode may require hospitalization and an intravenous infusion of glucose. A high blood sugar episode can lead to a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis, which, if untreated, can be life-threatening. Initial symptoms of developing ketoacidosis include increased thirst, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting and a peculiar smell on the breath. Diabetic ketoacidosis is treated in the hospital with intravenous infusions of insulin, fluids, glucose, and electrolytes.

Diabetes can also lead to serious long-term complications. These include vision problems, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and nerve problems. Diabetes can also complicate pregnancy. The good news is that maintaining close control over blood sugar, allowing fewer and less dramatic rises in blood glucose, helps to delay the onset and slow the progression of the common complications of the disease. The downside of this is that it increases the chances of weight gain, but if you work with your physician, you can usually achieve a successful compromise.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus, type I and type II. Type I diabetes, also sometimes called insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes, is usually diagnosed in childhood and involves such a severe lack of insulin that it must be taken by injection every day. Type II diabetes, also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, most often occurs in obese people who are age forty or older. These individuals typically have higher than normal amounts of insulin in their blood, but their bodies resist its blood-sugar-regulating action. This type of diabetes can sometimes be managed with diet and oral medication rather than insulin injections.

The most reliable method of diagnosing diabetes involves a glucose tolerance test. This test measures the concentration of glucose in the blood after an overnight fast. The normal range is between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A blood concentration of 140 mg/dL or higher is considered an indication of diabetes.

In addition to diabetes mellitus, there is a condition known as diabetes insipidus. This is a problem caused by the failure of the hypothalamus to release sufficient anti-diuretic hormone. The kidneys become unable to conserve water, resulting in the passage of large amounts of urine. This condition is often accompanied by a voracious appetite, loss of strength, and emaciation. Diabetes insipidus is less common than diabetes mellitus, which affects more than 10 million people in the United States.

Treatment of diabetes is based on maintaining a normal blood-glucose level so that the body will have enough energy to function properly. Diabetes is a lifelong challenge that must be carefully taken care of in order to avoid long-term complications. Because of the complexity and intricacies of treatment, a person who has diabetes should work with a physician and nurse who specialize in the treatment of this illness. A regional hospital or a diabetes center is a good place to start looking for information and references. In addition to conventional medical treatment and dietary modifications, herbs, homeopathy, acupressure, and nutritional supplements can be used to support the endocrine system. Because each person responds differently to this disease, it is best to work closely with qualified professionals. We advise that you choose a medical doctor who is willing to work with a natural health care practitioner (and vice versa). Each of these professionals needs to know what the other is doing, as the interventions of one can affect the treatments of the other.

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