In order to get a
handle on Diabetes and potential complications; you have to read and learn. A
lot!
I've pulled together a lot of useful information here. Hope it helps.
Discovered the
National Diabetes Information Clearing House at:
A summary of the
disease (Type 2):
Type-2 diabetes is a
lifelong illness, which generally starts in middle age or later part of life,
but can start at any age. It has a different cause than Type-1: patients with
type-2 diabetes do not respond properly to insulin, the hormone that normally allows
the body to convert blood glucose into energy or store it in cells to be used
later. The problem in type-2 diabetes is not lack of insulin production; most
of these patients produce variable, even normal or high, amounts of insulin.
The first stage in type-2
diabetes is the condition called insulin resistance. Insulin helps glucose to
enter cells, where it is used for energy. In patients with insulin resistance,
although insulin can attach normally to receptors on liver and muscle cells,
certain mechanisms prevent insulin from moving glucose into these cells where
it is utilized. As a result body starts making more and more insulin and in the
beginning, this amount is usually sufficient to overcome such resistance, but
during the later phases of the disease the insulin resistance increases in
severity and, blood glucose increases, but at the same time the body is unable
to use it properly, and the body’s cells are actually starving for energy. Even
with increased amounts of insulin the insulin demands of the body is not met
because of the increasing tissue resistance. Because the body does not use
insulin properly, blood glucose rises above the safe level. The initial effect
at this stage may be an abnormal rise in blood glucose right after a meal
(called postprandial hyperglycemia). Type-2 diabetes differs from type-1
diabetes in that type-1 diabetes is always caused by the body's inability to
make enough insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is the most
common form of diabetes, accounting for 90 - 95% of cases. Eventually, the cycle of
elevated glucose further damages beta cells, thereby drastically reducing
insulin production and causing full-blown diabetes. This is made evident by
fasting hyperglycemia, in which elevated glucose levels are present most of the
time.
Some Facts:
·
13% of adults have type2
diabetes. About 25-27 million people in
the U.S. have type 2 diabetes. 13 million of those are men. Another 30% have
pre-diabetes.
· Even though millions of
Americans have type-2 diabetes, only half of these people are aware that they
have diabetes.
·
The death rate in patients
with diabetes may be up to 11 times higher than in persons without the disease.
·
The occurrence of diabetes
in persons 45 to 64 years of age is 7 percent, but the proportion increases
significantly in persons 65 years of age or older.
·
People with diabetes are 2x
times more likely to develop serious gum disease.
· Research has shown that
diabetic patients have a shorter life expectancy than non-diabetic individuals
and that this excess mortality is largely attributable to cardiovascular
causes.
·
Diabetes is known to double
the risk of heart attacks and strokes, but the new findings show people with
type 2 diabetes are also at greater risk of dying from cancer, infection and
mental disorders.
· Even after accounting for
other risk factors such as age, sex, obesity and smoking, the researchers found
people with diabetes were at increased risk of death from several common cancers,
infections, mental disorders, and liver, digestive, kidney and lung diseases.
·
About 60 per cent of the
reduced life expectancy in people with diabetes is attributable to blood vessel
diseases – such as heart attacks and strokes. Only a small part of these
associations are explained by obesity, blood pressure, or high levels of fat in
the blood – conditions which often co-exist with diabetes.
·
Diabetes can cause feelings
of isolation. Managing diabetes can cause mounting stresses that sometimes lead
to poor self-care and feelings of loss of control. Depression can make it
difficult to think; interfering with medication compliance and exercise goals
necessary to keep diabetes under control. Diabetes doubles the risk for
depression. Depression, in turn, may increase the risk for hyperglycemia and
complications of diabetes.
Symptoms I was
able to find:
·
Increased thirst
·
Increased hunger (especially after
eating)
·
Dry mouth
·
Nausea and occasionally vomiting
·
Frequent urination
·
Extreme unexplained fatigue (weak,
tired feeling)
·
Blurred vision
·
Itching of the groin
·
Irritability
·
Numbness or tingling of the hands or
feet
·
Wounds that don't heal
·
Frequent infections of the skin, gums
or urinary tract
Complications I
was able to find:
·
Alzheimer's disease
·
Dehydration
·
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
·
Diminished ability to fight
infection
·
Eye damage
·
Foot damage
·
Hearing problems
·
Heart and blood vessel
disease
·
Hyperglycemia
·
Hyperosmolar nonketotic
diabetic coma
·
Hypoglycemia
·
Kidney damage (nephropathy)
·
Nerve damage (neuropathy)
·
Osteoporosis
·
Poor sleep
·
Skin and mouth conditions
What can I do
to manage the disease?
(Note, I’m not a doctor
so this stuff is just what I’ve found by reading. Any thresholds listed are for me. You'll need to set your own if these are not applicable to you. )
•Alzheimer's
disease
o
Control blood Glucose
levels
•Dehydration
o
Drink 8-10 cups of water
every day. This also helps flush out the Glucose.
•Diabetic
Ketoacidosis
o
•Diminished
Ability to Fight Infection
o
Continued and consistent use
of multi-vitamins
o
Medications as prescribed
by doctor
o
Flu shot annually
o
Pneumonia shot annually
•Eye
Damage
o
The American Diabetes
Association recommends that patients with type 2 diabetes get an initial comprehensive
eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shortly after they are diagnosed
with diabetes, and once a year thereafter. The eye exam should include dilation
to check for signs of retinal disease (retinopathy).
•Foot
Damage
o
Thoroughly inspect your
feet daily
o
Patients should inspect
their feet daily and watch for changes in color or texture, odor, and firm or
hardened areas, which may indicate infection and potential ulcers.
o
When washing the feet, the
water should be warm (not hot) and the feet and areas between the toes should
be thoroughly dried afterward. Check water temperature with the hand or a
thermometer before stepping in.
o
Apply moisturizers, but NOT
between the toes.
o
Gently use pumice to remove
corns and calluses (patients should not use medicated pads or try to shave the
corns or calluses themselves).
o
Trim toenails short and
file the edges to avoid cutting adjacent toes.
o
Well-fitting footwear is
very important.
o
People should be sure the
shoe is wide enough. Patients should also avoid high heels, sandals, thongs,
and going barefoot. Shoes with a rocker sole reduce pressure under the heel and
front of the foot and may be particularly helpful. Custom-molded boots increase
the surface area over which foot pressure is distributed. This reduces stress
on the ulcers and allows them to heal.
o
Change shoes often during
the day.
o
Wear socks, particularly
with extra padding (which can be specially purchased).
o
Patients should avoid tight
stockings or any clothing that constricts the legs and feet.
o
Consult a specialist in
foot care for any problems.
•Hearing
problems
o
Complete and annual hearing
test.
•Heart and
blood vessels and Nerve
Damage(neuropathy)
o
Reduction in weight if
necessary and maintenance of doctor prescribed weight
o
Reduce/Manage blood glucose
levels
o
Protect the heart and aim
for healthy lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels and control of blood
pressure.
o
Control blood Glucose
levels using exercise, diet, medication, regular testing and countermeasures.
§
Test prior to taking a bite
at any meal - Fasting levels 70-130
§
Test 1 hour post-meal and eliminate
anything from your diet that causes levels higher than 140.
§
Test 2 hours post-meal and eliminate
anything from your diet that causes levels high than 120.
§
Test prior to bedtime and supplement
with food if blood glucose level below .
o
Test HbA1C every three
months
o
Control high blood pressure
through exercise, diet, and medication
o
Take an aspirin daily.
o
Get regular medical checkups (every six months).
•Hyperglycemia
o
Control blood Glucose
levels using exercise, diet, medication, regular testing and countermeasures.
§
Test prior to taking a bite
at any meal - Fasting levels 70-130
§
Test 1 hour post-meal and eliminate
anything from your diet that causes levels higher than 140.
§
Test 2 hours post-meal and eliminate
anything from your diet that causes levels high than 120.
§
Test prior to bedtime and supplement
with food if blood glucose level below .
o
Test HbA1C every three
months
•Hypoglycemia
o
Control blood Glucose
levels using exercise, diet, medication, regular testing and countermeasures.
§
Test prior to taking a bite
at any meal - Fasting levels 70-130
§
Test 1 hour post-meal and eliminate
anything from your diet that causes levels higher than 140.
§
Test 2 hours post-meal and eliminate
anything from your diet that causes levels high than 120.
§
Test prior to bedtime and supplement
with food if blood glucose level below .
o
Test HbA1C every three
months
•Kidney
Damage (nephropathy)
o
Drink 8-10 glasses of water
per day. This helps flush the system of glucose.
o
The American Diabetes
Association recommends that people with diabetes receive an annual
microalbuminuria urine test.
o
Patients should also have
their blood creatinine tested at least once a year.
•Osteoporosis
o
•Poor
Sleep
o
•Skin and
Mouth Conditions
o
Treatment with doctor
prescribed skin lotions
o
Brush teeth in the morning
and before bed with a toothpaste specifically formulated for gum health.
o
Bath in a barely warm, not
hot bath with about 2 cups (500 ml) of baking soda or some Epsom salts added.
Can only
hope this might help someone out there who needs the information.
