What is Diabetes? (Insulin Dependent Diabetes)

Name: k.mccrindle

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Product:	Insulin Dependent Diabetes
Date:	29/03/01 (228 review reads)
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Disadvantages: Everything.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly use sugar and starches (carbohydrates) from the diet, because the pancreas is not producing enough of the hormone insulin. As a result, sugar accumulates in the blood and tissues and this causes defects in various parts of the body . This condition is medically known as diabetes mellitus to distinguish it from an extremely rare disorder, diabetes insipidus. All types of diabetes can be controlled with diet, tablets or insulin replacement provided the diabetic plays his part in helping himself and working with his doctor he can enjoy a normal life.

Symptoms:

Thirst and passing excessive amounts of urine. The large amounts of sugar in the blood cause the kidneys to produce huge amounts of urine. Because of the loss of body fluids in this way, the patient becomes thirsty, but drinking does not reduce the feeling of thirst. Loss of weight, because of the loss of fluids and inability of the body to use carbohydrates. Itching of the vulva in women. Itching of the penis in men.
Tiredness and irritability. A tendency to suffer from boils, skin infections and infections of the vulva and penis. Cessation of periods in women. Disturbances of vision with difficulties in focusing. Ulcers on the feet. Pins and needles and numbness of the hands and feet.

Duration:

There is no cure for diabetes. Once present it is there for life, but it can be controlled by proper treatment and self-care.

Causes:

Failure of the pancreas gland to produce insulin the hormone that organises the proper storage and use of sugars in the body.

Diabetes is a different condition in children and young adults from that in older people. In the young diabetic there is very little insulin produced in the body and it has to be replaced by insulin injections. In diabetics aged 50 and over there is partial production of insulin, and treatment can usually be by diet and tablets without insu
lin. The exact cause of failure of the pancreas is unknown, but there may be some inherited predisposition to diabetes. If two diabetics marry and start a family, the chances are one in four that one of their children will also be diabetic. Some virus infections may also initiate diabetes.

Complications:

Most diabetics do not develop any complications, but those complications which do appear tend to be related to the duration of the condition. and may take 20- 30 years or more before occurring. Parts of the body that may be adversely affected by diabetes include:-
Blood vessel: Small blood vessels may become blocked because of thickening of their walls; or weakened, forming micro aneurysms (minute bulges that may burst) These defects of the small blood vessels may affect the eyes. legs. nerves, heart and kidneys.
Eyes: Cataracts are more likely in diabetics. Retinopathy (haemorrhages in the blood vessels) may occur, and may affect the vision.
Legs: Arteries may become blocked, leading to coldness, pain on walking, ulcers and in rare cases gangrene.
Nerves: Numbness and deadness in the feet and hands may result from involvement of the sensory nerves.
Heart: Thickening of the arteries in the heart may lead angina, heart attacks, breathlessness and swelling of the legs.
Kidneys: Blockage of the small arteries and other changes may damage the kidneys. Very rarely this may lead kidney failure.

Treatment in the home:

None is possible until diabetes is diagnosed. once identified as a diabetic, the patient has to take on more
responsibilities for self-care:
Attend the clinic or consulting rooms for regular check-ups.
Keep to the diet advised by the doctor.
Eat regularly - do not miss out meals.
Take tablets or insulin. Also, make regular checks on the urine and/or blood to make sure that the sugar levels are being adequately controlled. The diabetic’s family can play an important par
t in providing him/her with support by helping them to keep to their diet, encouraging them to lead a normal life, and by reporting unusual reactions to treatment.

When to consult the doctor:

Immediately if persistent thirst develops, together with passing excessive amounts of urine. Take a sample of urine to be tested. If there are any unusual symptoms or anxieties such as those mentioned under complications once the diagnosis of diabetes has been made. If any of the other symptoms mentioned suggest the possibility of diabetes.

What the doctor may do:

Place a special dipstick into some urine. If there is sugar present a sign of diabetes-there will be a change of colour. Confirmation is by a blood test to measure the level of sugar in the blood. Manage the case himself or send the patient to a diabetic clinic at a local hospital. All diabetics need proper medical treatment. If neglected the disease can kill, blind and maim. The aims of treatment are to restore levels of sugar in the body to normal and to prevent complications. There are three main forms of treatment:
Diet to reduce the amount of sugar-containing food in the diet. such as bread, cakes, biscuits, sweets. sugar,potatoes, so that the body can cope better with lessened demands. Those diabetics who are overweight must reduce weight-this may be all that is necessary to control the disorder.
Tablets may help the older, 'maturer' diabetic.
Insulin injections may be given to replace the insulin that is missing in a patient who has severe diabetes. It may be possible to control the blood sugar by one injection daily, but often better control is achieved by two injections, one in the morning and one in the evening. Insulin has to be given by injection because it is destroyed in the stomach and so cannot be taken by mouth. Injections are usually self-administered and most diabetics soon learn how to do this, but someone in the family should also know how
to cope. All diabetics on insulin at times experience symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia (due to excess insulin); the symptoms are faintness, sweating, unsteadiness and disturbed behaviour. The patient himself will recognise the warning signs and can cut short the attack by taking sugar. If he does not, he may appear to be drunk and there is a risk of coma. It is never safe to assume that the patient is drunk, and immediate medical help should always be sought.

Prevention:

Diabetes cannot itself be prevented or anticipated, except perhaps by avoiding overweight, but diabetic
complications can be prevented by good control of the condition.

Outlook:

Bad in the untreated, unstable and unco-operative case.
Good in those whose condition is controlled by co-operation with the doctors, regular checks, and strict
adherence to the treatment advised.

Summary: