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Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where there is an abnormally high level of
sugar in the blood.
What to look for
The symptoms vary depending on which type
of diabetes is the cause:
excessive thirst and appetite.
increased urination both in the frequency
and amount passed.
weight loss.
fatigue.
nausea, perhaps vomiting.
blurred vision.
in women, frequent vaginal infections and
perhaps the cessation of menstruation.
in men, impotence.
in men and women, yeast
infections.
Type 1 diabetes:
Very thirsty, hungry, and tired. Need to
urinate often. Unintentional, rapid weight loss. May have stomach pain.
Type 2 diabetes: :
Gestational
diabetes::
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Causes
In diabetes sufferers, there is too much
glucose in the blood (glucose is made when the food we eat is being digested). Glucose is
then converted into energy as it travels through the bloodstream. Diabetes causes this
natural process to fail because of a lack of one of the body’s hormones - insulin.
Insulin keeps the level of sugar in the
blood down to normal levels. Insulin is made and released when necessary from the
pancreas. Insulin lets glucose enter the cells and be used for energy. Insulin is absent
in diabetes sufferers. Therefore, glucose stays in the bloodstream and cannot be used for
energy.
High glucose levels in the blood can cause
many complications and any treatment is aimed at reducing the amount in the blood.
Your doctor is able to diagnose diabetes
through a urine test.
Treatment for both forms of diabetes
mellitus requires adjustment of insulin levels in the body and strict management of diet
and exercise. By paying close attention to the content and timing of your meals, you can
minimise or avoid the "seesaw effect" of rapidly changing blood sugar levels,
which can require quick changes in insulin dosages.
Traditional Treatment
Diabetes is treated with food planning,
oral medications, and/or insulin injections. Treatment methods for the different types of
diabetes are:
Type 1 diabetes: Daily insulin
injections, food plan, and exercise.: Daily insulin
injections, food plan, and exercise.
Type 2 diabetes: Food plan,
exercise, and sometimes oral medications or insulin injections. : Food plan,
exercise, and sometimes oral medications or insulin injections.
Gestational diabetes: Food plan,
exercise, and sometimes insulin injections.: Food plan,
exercise, and sometimes insulin injections.
With your doctor’s supervision , you
must work at maintaining your diet and lifestyle to keep this condition in control. You
can avoid the disease’s serious symptoms if you are able to do this yourself. Also
try to keep to healthy weight
If you have
type 1, you need to closely monitor your blood sugar levels every day to
prevent an attack of hypoglycaemia. This occurs when the levels of blood sugar are too low
to fulfil your body's energy needs. Hypoglycaemia
is not
dangerous if you can recognise the symptoms.
Hyperglycaemia, or high blood sugar, can
bring on a serious diabetic condition known as ketoacidosis, in which the blood becomes
increasingly acidic from the accumulation of toxic by-products. This can occur if they do
not have enough insulin or if the insulin and glucose levels are not properly balanced or
if the body suddenly comes under shock or stress or illness. The symptoms are - nausea,
excessive thirst, wanting to urinate frequently, feeling weak, abdominal pain, rapid deep
breathing.
Long-term problems caused by diabetes are -
eye damage, problems with the nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular and circulatory
systems. Cuts and sores heal more slowly for people with diabetes, and diabetics are also
prone to gum problems, urinary tract infections, and mouth infections such as thrush. Heart disease, ciruclatory
problems, strokes, kidney
failure are also potential threats to the diabetic.
For some Type
2 diabetics, diet and exercise are usually sufficient to keep the disease
under control, however you must see your doctor regularly and if you have any change of
symptoms.
Exercise should be an important part in the
diabetics daily program - see your doctor before starting
anything strenuous.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
You should always be under the supervision
of a medical doctor, however here are some alternative treatments which can be used in
addition to your conventional treatment.
Chinese Herbs Chinese herbal
medicines, including ginseng root (Panax
ginseng), are frequently used to alleviate some symptoms of diabetes; consult a
practitioner for a comprehensive treatment plan. Chinese herbal
medicines, including ginseng root
(Panax
ginseng), are frequently used to alleviate some symptoms of diabetes; consult a
practitioner for a comprehensive treatment plan.
Herbal Therapies - Check to make
sure herbs are appropriate for your particular condition. Check to make
sure herbs are appropriate for your particular condition.
Remember: If you need
insulin to manage your diabetes, there is no herbal substitute for the hormone.
Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaves in a
decoction may lower blood glucose levels and help maintain the vascular system. This
remedy may also help to keep the blood vessels of the eye from haemorrhaging if you
develop diabetic retinopathy.
Supplementing the diet with fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds has been
shown in clinical and experimental studies to reduce blood glucose and insulin levels
while lowering blood cholesterol.
Garlic
(Allium sativum) may lower blood pressure as well as levels of blood sugar and
cholesterol.
Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba) extracts have been used to help vision in patients. Other reported
benefits of ginkgo include reducing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and elevated
cholesterol levels.
Onion (Allium cepa) may free up insulin to
help metabolise glucose in the blood.
Dietary Considerations
It is vitally important to maintain a
balanced meal plan so get your doctor to help you devise one to suit you.
Diabetics should avoid sugar, as it can
lower the body's glucose tolerance and worsen circulatory problems. Nutritionists also
emphasise the importance of certain foods, vitamins, and minerals.
When to seek
further professional advice
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