Diabetic Glucose
The Layman’s Guide to Diabetes
The Layman’s Guide To Diabetes
Facts about diabetes that everybody should know
What is Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the commonest but very serious health disorders found all over the world. Approximately one in every 25 person suffers from it and a big population is predisposed to suffer from it. With all the advancements and developments in modern medicine, we have failed to find a cure for it. We do not even know the exact causes of Diabetes. Diabetes today has affected whole world irrespective of peoples’ life styles. Elder or younger, rich or poor, rural or urban; all have equally suffered.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It is associated with a hormone called ‘insulin’ which is secreted by a gland known as ‘pancreas’ situated near the lower border of stomach. Diabetes arises either from ‘deficiency of insulin’ or from ‘inability of cells to utilize the available insulin’. It is basically the ‘lack of action’ of insulin that brings about Diabetes. This disorder affects the whole metabolism of the body. Modern sciences have failed to explain with certainty why pancreas stops the production of insulin or why body cells develop resistance to insulin.
The causes of diabetes are still not known but there are certain predisposing factors that considerably increase the chances of developing diabetes. Some predisposing factors are
Obesity
Sedentary life style with very less physical activity
Family history of diabetes
Old age
Eating habits especially when food contains excessive carbohydrates
What actually happens!
When we eat food, it is digested in digestive tract beginning from mouth. Complex food is broken down to simpler foods such as glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins etc. which can be absorbed in the blood. In a normal human being, the glucose produced in this way is acted upon by a hormone called insulin which helps in taking this glucose to all body cells for their energy needs and converts the ‘left over’ glucose into glycogen. Thus, the chief role of insulin is to regulate the glucose level in the blood. Sometimes, for unknown reasons, either the Pancreas gland stops producing insulin or the body cells develop inability to utilize the available insulin thereby causing glucose level in the blood to rise which eventually results in diabetes. More than 90% of all diabetics suffer from the diabetes that is caused by inability of body cells to utilize the available insulin to regulate the glucose level.
When body cells do not receive glucose for their energy needs, they begin to starve. To supplement the energy needs, body starts disintegrating the stored fats and proteins leading to loss of weight, fatigue, weakness and several other complications.
Symptoms and their reasons explained
Common symptoms of diabetes include
Frequent and excessive urination
As I explained earlier, glucose level in the blood is very high in diabetes. This glucose circulates in blood and reaches
kidneys which filter the blood to form urine. Kidneys ordinarily never let glucose pass into the urine but when glucose level is excessive, this glucose enters the urine and during this, kidneys filter a lot of water also which results in excessive and frequent urination in diabetes.
Excessive thirst and dry mouth
Excessive urination in diabetes leads to shortage of water in the body. This, in turn leads to thirst and dry mouth.
Hunger
Since, the body cells do not get glucose, they begin to starve. Although the glucose is all around yet cells cannot utilize it. This is a case of ‘scarcity amidst plenty’. This starvation of body cells leads to more and more hunger.
When body cells cannot utilize glucose, the stored fat in the body is slowly disintegrated to compensate it. This leads to loss of weight.
Fatigue
Along with stored fat, the protein in the muscles is also disintegrated to nourish the starving cells. This results in fatigue and weakness of the body.
Blurred vision
Our eyes have a fluid inside them that helps in focusing. Due to high concentration of glucose in blood, this fluid also changes its concentration thus leading to blurring of vision and frequent changes in power of eye lenses.
Slow healing of cuts and wounds
Since the blood contains abnormal amount of glucose, it provides an ideal medium for the growth of pus forming micro-organisms. This in turn affects the healing of even small cuts and abrasions and delays the recovery.
Itchy skin and fungal infection
The blood of a diabetic is quite rich in glucose which provides favorable conditions for faster growth of micro-organisms that cause diseases. This is more visible on skin which becomes vulnerable to infections. This excessive glucose also causes itching on the skin.
Complications
There are various complications that may take place due to prolonged presence of glucose in bloodstream.
Some commonly occurring complications include
A. Diabetic Coma
B. Coronary Heart Disease
C. Cerebral Hemorrhage
D. Gangrene
These complications are a result of very complex changes that take place in the body due to excess glucose. Almost all parts of the body are affected by Diabetes and in long run, it ruins all body parts.
Hyperglycemic Coma
This is a commonly occurring complication of diabetes. But how does it happen?
In diabetics, glucose does not nourish the body cells either due to deficiency of insulin or due to inability of body cells to utilize available insulin. As a result, stored fats in the body start disintegrating and chemical compounds called ‘ketones’ are formed which make the blood ‘acidic’. Now the body tries to reduce the acidity and forms more and more urine. But this in turn reduces the fluid content of the body and further increases the acidity of the blood which eventually affects the brain and Coma sets in.
What to do!
There are some predisposing factors that may cause diabetes as explained earlier. Sedentary life style invites the disease therefore one should cultivate a life style full of physical activities and exercises. People working in the offices usually do not get any opportunity to remain physically active. Such people should try to spend some time out of their chairs and do as much physical activity as possible at their work place. Today’s little workout can ward off tomorrow’s great suffering.
Obesity is another big predisposing condition. More than 70% elder people who develop diabetes are obese. Physical exercises and a check on food intake are best things one can do to avoid adding unwanted weight.
Family history plays a role in causing diabetes. When one is aware of occurrence of diabetes in the family, one should prepare against the disease by avoiding other predisposing factors like obesity, sedentary life style, faulty eating habits etc. Remember, a prepared man has half fought the battle!
Foods may also be related to diabetes but it is not known with certainty which foods may cause diabetes or may hamper the activity of pancreas. One should be careful in selecting food. The intake of fast foods and those foods that are quite rich in carbohydrates should be minimized.
Diabetes badly affects all physiological systems of the human body. Majority of the diabetics develops severe complications that shorten the lifespan. Whether there is any history of diabetes in one’s family or not, it is always advisable to take precautions and lead a physically active life. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!
***
About the Author
I am a freelance author and write about various topics including Ayurveda. I hold a degree in alternative medicine.
Diabetes Blood Glucose Levels | Diabetic Diet | Info on Dia
|
|
2 NEW & SEALED bottles Dr. Julian Whitaker’s Glucose Essentials Diabetes Care $46.00 |
|
|
Bauhika Bauhinia Leaf Extract to Normalize Glucose Type 2 Diabetes 100 Capsules $34.95 |
|
|
GLUCOSE BALANCE – DIABETIC BLOOD SUGAR BALANCER NATURAL ORGANIC ASSISTANCE 120 $38.50 |
|
|
BOOST GLUCOSE CONTROL FOR DIABETICS $20.00 |
|
|
GlycoTrol Blood Glucose Cholestrol Diabetes $34.99 |
|
|
GluceMin Diabetes Blood Sugar Levels Reduces Glucose Level NATURAL Herbal Pills $34.95 |
|
|
120 T WellBetX Complete Diabetic multi vitamin mineral glucose control formula $29.26 |
|
|
90 C Diabetex Herbal Formula glucose balance Diabetes Control Webber Naturals $25.34 |
|
|
Chromium Diabetes May Help Lower Blood Glucose Sugar $20.95 |
|
|
Diabetes? Try My Glucose Formula $19.79 |
|
|
CINNAMON BARK EXTRACT – Glucose Metabolism for DIABETES $11.95 |
|
|
GiantBIO Nopal Powder for GLUCOSE Control * DIABETES * $14.95 |
|
|
60 T Chromium Chelate Glucose Balance Management Diabetes health Webber Naturals $9.68 |
|
|
Sugar Balance helps High Glucose,Diabetes Naturally $2.35 |
|
|
Bauhika Bauhinia Leaf Extract to Normalize Glucose Type 2 Diabetes 3 Bottles $96.46 |
|
|
TAIslim (1 Liter) $52.00 Get Results Fast! With the TAIslim Phase I Food Plan? When you’re trying to lose weight, there’s nothing more motivating than fast results. The TAIslim Phase I Food Plan has been designed to work in synergy with TAIslim and the TAIslim Ultimate We recommend following the Phase I Food Plan Until you reach your weight loss… |
|
|
Pioglitazone diabetes drug molecule Photo Mugs Pioglitazone diabetes drug, molecular model. Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded carbon (light blue), hydrogen (gold), oxygen (red), nitrogen (dark blue) and sulphur (yellow). Pioglitazone, which is marketed under the name Actos, belongs to a group of drugs known as thiazolidinediones that are used to treat type II diabetes. Pioglitazone controls blood sugar levels by reducing th… |
|
|
Rosiglitazone diabetes drug molecule Photo Mugs Rosiglitazone diabetes drug, molecular model. Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour- coded carbon (light blue), hydrogen (gold), oxygen (red), nitrogen (dark blue) and sulphur (yellow). Rosiglitazone, which is marketed under the name Avandia, belongs to a group of drugs known as thiazolidinediones that are used to treat type II diabetes. Rosiglitazone controls blood sugar levels by reduc… |
|
|
Basic Clinical Skills: Diabetic Procedures (Mixing Insulins, Blood and Urine Glucose Monitoring) Introduces procedures and techniques the nurse will teach patients and family members in preparation for self-care…. |
|
|
Glucose Level Blood Test – 36H x 24W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $51.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Viele Stücke Zucker Zum Süßen – 24W x 16H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $47.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Death to Diabetes — Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes in 10 Steps! $19.95 … |
|
|
Blood Sugar or Blood Glucose. What is it? Where does it come from in our body? How normal levels are maintained? What happens in diabetes? $12.00 Diabetes is defined as the condition with high blood sugar also called blood glucose. What is glucose? Where does it come from in our body? What are the normal levels? How normal levels are maintained in our bodies? What is Glycemic index and Glycemic load of the food we eat? What is the relationship between glucose, insulin, cell of our body and the blood glucose levels? Why the blood glucose l… |