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Diabetes - Medical Description
 Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a disorder in which your body’s blood sugar (glucose) levels stay above normal due to low or absent insulin production, or the cell's inability to use insulin properly (insulin resistance).
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. When you eat, the pancreas secretes insulin into the blood. The insulin allows the sugar in the blood to enter your cells. As the amount of sugar in your blood decreases, so does the amount of secreted insulin from the pancreas.
There are three categories of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes - insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system so the body is not producing insulin. Insulin injections are needed to control blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is also called juvenile onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes and usually occurs before the age of 30.
Type 2 Diabetes – the pancreas produces insulin but it is not enough or the cell’s do not recognize it (insulin resistance). Type 2 diabetes is also called adult onset diabetes, obesity diabetes and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is the most common type and usually occurs in those overweight and over 40 years of age.
Gestational Diabetes – In about 4% of all pregnancies, diabetes can occur temporarily because hormone changes affect how your body uses insulin. Usually gestational diabetes disappears after the baby is born. However, 25-50% of women with gestational diabetes can develop type 2 diabetes later in life, especially those who remain overweight after delivery or who required insulin while pregnant. Screening for gestational diabetes is done during pregnancy. If left untreated, complications for mother and baby increase.
Medical Symptoms
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Increased hunger
- Blurred vision – decreased vision
- Dark skin changes on the neck, armpit and groin (acanthosis nigricans)
- Slow healing sores
- Frequent infections – such as gum, skin or bladder infections
- Yeast infections
- Numbness or tingling of the hands and feet
- Impotence or erectile dysfunction
- Labored, heavy breathing (Kussmaul breathing)
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Skin rash
Gestational diabetes symptoms, if any:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased hunger
- Blurred vision
Medical Diagnosis
Fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) - The patient fasts for at least 8 hrs. and blood is drawn.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) – is usually done to diagnose gestational diabetes or to test an individual for type 2 diabetes that has a normal fasting glucose level. It is also used to diagnose prediabetes.
Medical Treatment and Relief Solutions
Your health can go wrong extremely quickly if your blood sugar levels are not maintained. Increased sugar levels in the blood can reduce circulation, delay wound healing and damage nerves and small blood vessels, especially of the eyes, kidneys and heart. It can also cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Type 1 diabetes is treated with a closely monitored combination of insulin, exercise and diet. Classes and support groups are important to learn about any lifestyle changes you may need.
Type 2 diabetes is treated first with reducing weight, a diabetic diet, and exercise. If that does not work to control blood sugar levels, oral medications are added. If medication fails then insulin treatment is a consideration.
Tests and Helpful Exams:
Hemoglobin A1c test (also called the glycated hemoglobin test or HbA1c) - is used to determine how well your diabetes is being controlled.
Dilated eye exam - once a year to detect early signs of retinopathy. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can lead to changes in the shape of the lenses of the eyes resulting in vision changes.
Foot exam – daily by you and once or twice a year by a doctor to detect decreased circulation and sores that may not be healing. Nerve damage can prevent you from feeling a “hot spot” on your foot caused by something as simple as bunched up socks. Don’t let a “hot spot” become an uncontrollable infection.
Recommended Products
The use of diabetic socks can be very important in reducing the incidence of irritations that can lead to infected wounds:
Health Resources - Helpful Articles, Websites and Blogs
- Diabetic Socks - Importance and What to Look For - Helpful article
- Diabetes Mine - a gold mine of straight talk and encouragement for people living with diabetes
- Diabetes Daily - offers diabetes blogs, community, recipes, tools to track your blood sugars online, diabetes news and headlines from around the world.
- Diabetes.com - Categories include: About Type 2 Diabetes, Managing, Blood Sugar Control Matters, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, Medicines, and Ways to Help Yourself
- JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
- Children With Diabetes - The online community for kids, families and adults with diabetes
- American Diabetes Association - Categories include: Basics, Living With Diabetes, Food & Fitness, News and Research, Community and more
- Healthline - Healthline's very comprehensive overview of Type 2 Diabetes can be a critical starting point for individuals and/or their loved ones.
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