*WHAT IS DIABETES?
In your body you have a gland called the ‘pancreas’, this gland is used for producing the hormone ‘ insulin’. The insulin that your pancreas produces, converts the sugars in your stream into energy(and couldn’t we all do with a bit more of that!) In a diabetic however this process slows down, as in the case of type two diabetics. Or stops altogether as in the case of type one diabetics. Hence once of the signs of diabetes is tiredness. Formerly known as(no-not the pop star) Non insulin dependant diabetic Mellitus(NIDDM), type two is the most common type of diabetes, and is mostly found in people of a mature age(normally around 40+): Hence it’s nick name maturity onset diabetes. Though just because you are type 2 diabetic, doesn’t mean that you won’t have to take insulin injections.
I personally am type two and take insulin as well as tablets. Type one also known, as Insulin dependant diabetes Mellitus(IDDM) is far more common in children and younger people. In this instance the pancreas gives up working altogether. Type one diabetics will have to inject insulin! Being told I was diabetic was the worst thing in my life, despite having had a major RTA, and several operations; the diabetes thing was the worst thing ever. I sunk to new lows, I denied I had the condition, I ignored the fact diabetes was with me for the rest of my life. Fortunately I had good friends and family around me to help me through it. And in truth I was happier losing my leg than the thought of giving up my ‘unhealthy’ living! I did get over it, and I didn’t find it easy. However, at the end of the day it was MY body, MY disease, and my life! I had to do something! And I did, I improved my diet, I cut down on my fat intake, I increased my fibre, I even did some exercise(unknown for me, but I got an exercise bike and some weights, and begun to use them)
IS IT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM?
No it isn’t all doom and gloom, caught early both types of diabetes can be well controlled, with diet alone, diet and tablets, diet and insulin, or even all three(as in my case). However, diabetics do need to take immense care in many things, and also need annual/twice annual check ups. The check ups involve having the pupil of your eyes widen with drops so the doctor can look at the back of them with a special machine. A yearly appointment with your chiropodist is also part of the check up. Another part is several tests to find your average reading for the last three months(Ab1Ac). A doctor will check you out from head to toe, testing the feeling in your feet, your reflexes, your eyesight, and much more. Some check ups even include a heart trace.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS?
A lot can go wrong for the person who has diabetes including: · Amputation · Blindness · Nerve trouble · Heart problems · Strokes · Kidney failure · and more…. however, if a diabetics control is as good as it should be then they should live a normal long life. There is no cure for diabetes, but there is excellent treatment and all is not doom and gloom, despite the newly diagnosed diabetic(or the not so newly diagnosed) feeling like it is.
* CAN I HAVE A HYPO?
Once a diabetic is on medication they stand a risk of what is known as ‘hypoglycaemias’ or ‘hypos’. This is where the glucose falls to a seriously low level, and they can lapse into a coma, which could result in serious life threatening trouble. It is essential that a diabetic learns any signals they might have for the onset of a hypo and acts upon them. Personally I get the following signs that a ‘hypo’ is forth coming: Sweats, hunger pangs, the shakes, and generally feeling not with it. Other people vary of course. If a diabetic has a hypo, what can you do? In a sentence – Get some sugar into their bodies. Try using normal squash sweetened with sugar, or non-diet coke, or other high sugar drinks, providing your patient is a little alert. If they are in a state of comatose, then things change slightly, most diabetic will carry(who are susceptible to hypos) something like ‘hypo stop’, which should be placed into their mouths at the back(though you should never put your finger into their mouths), and gently squeeze the tube contents into their mouths. It is also strongly recommended you ring 999 and call for an ambulance. Always advise them to see their medical team, particularly if they have started new medication.
*SHOULD I EAT DIFFERENTLY?
A lot of people think ‘oh my friend is diabetic he needs separate food’! This is a complete nonsense, and should be ignored. A diabetic can eat whatever they want to eat – in moderation. Some dessert after dinner is fine, biscuits are fine(though ones like digestive, rich tea etc are best), chocolate is fine(though not often of course), in fact everything you eat, a diabetic can also eat(providing they like it of course). So don’t cater separately for any diabetics coming to dinner, just include them as ‘normal’ guests. There are a lot of myths out there about diabetes, like eating too many sweets as a kid can give it to you. Which is of course not true, diabetes is a genetic disease.
*HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE DIABETES?
Some signs include: · Unquenchable thirst(you cannot quench it regardless of the amount of drink you intake) · Itchy genitals(private parts) often itch due to increased sugar in the body · A need to frequent the toilet more often for ing · Dizziness · Blurred vision(without drinking alcohol) · Weight gain · And more… More information can be found at these helpful web site: https://diabetes.org.uk https://who.int https://diabetes.org If you have any member of your family(the closer they are the more likely you are to get it), and you have any of these symptoms you should see your GP for a test. Early diagnosis is vital for good control! A healthy BG(Blood glucose) is between 4 and 7 mmol.
Gestational diabetes affects women who have never had diabetes before. It is not known what actually causes the condition, but it does affect about 4% of all pregnant women. Gestational diabetes starts when the body cannot produce or use all the insulin it needs. Therefore the sugar builds up in the . Treatment is usually geared towards diet and exercise, though insulin may be required also. Gestational diabetes usually vanishes after pregnancy, although in some case it uncovers type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Some women may develop type 2 diabetes years after the pregnancy. The women more at risk include: women who are 25 or older; overweight women; if you have a family history; or you are Hispanic, African, or Asian. Women should be screened at around 6 months for the condition, if they are thought to be at risk.