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What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a set of related diseases in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Glucose in the blood gives you energy—the kind you need when you walk briskly, run for a bus, ride your bike, take an aerobics class, and perform your day-to-day chores.

TYPES OF DIABETES:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is autoimmune disease that affects 0.3% on average. It is result of distruction of beta cells due to aggresive nature of cells present in the body. Researchers belive thats some of the Etiology and Risk factorswhich may trigger type 1 diabetes may be genetic, poor diet (malnutrition) and environment (virus affecting pancreas).

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes, is also called non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. It occurs when the body produces enough insulin but cannot utilize it effectively.

Causes of Diabetes :

1. Infection with a specific virus or bacteria

2. Exposure to food-borne chemical toxins

3. Exposure as a very young infant to cow’s milk, where an as yet unidentified component triggers the autoimmune reaction

4. Increasing age

5. Obesity

6. Physical inactivity

7. Certain medicines

8. Sex : It is commonly seen in elderly especially males but strong evidence of developing diabetes in females with multiple pregnancy has been observed or in females suffering from (PCOS) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

9. Hypertension : It had been reported in many studies that there is direct relation between high systolic pressure and diabetes.

10. Serum lipids and lipoproteins : High triglyceride and cholesterol level in the blood are related to high blood sugars, in some cases it had been studied that risk are involved even with low HDL levels in circulating blood.



The hormone insulin comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When you eat, your pancreas secretes insulin into your bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key by unlocking microscopic doors that allow sugar to enter your cells. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. As your blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from your pancreas.

Obesity is also one of the major factors causing diabetes. Excessive body weight as compared to the height of an individual, serves as a predisposing factor for diabetes mellitus. It is commonly seen in patients at 40 years of age suffering from Type 2 Non-Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Due to extra amount of fat in the body, the insulin does not function properly in the body. Normally, the main function of Insulin is to allow the sugar present in the blood to enter the muscle and tissue cells. But due to increased fat in the body, the muscle and tissue cells become resistant to insulin, leading to high blood sugar level in blood (hyperglycemia) and finally diabetes.

Genes Can Cause Type 2 Diabetes:

If you or someone in your family has Type 2 diabetes, you may wonder if other family members are at risk. It turns out that Type 2 diabetes often runs in families and is also more common in some ethnic groups. In fact, researchers have found many genes that can effect your heritable risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus is an inherited disease

This type of diabetes, is the form which occurs when the Islands of Langerhans on the pancreas are unable to produce enough protein and insulin to process the carbohydrates (sugars and starches) we eat. The sugar stays in the blood until it spills over into the kidneys and then is output in the urine. Symptoms of the disease include extreme thirst, excessive urination, constant hunger, loss of weight, itching around the groin, marked fatigue, changes in vision, and slow healing of cuts and scratches.

There are many diseases and conditions that cause irritation and pain to the sufferer, and certainly diabetes is one of them. Having to constantly test your sugar, give yourself injections, and tailor your diet can be difficult and frustrating, and at times even painful. It’s very tempting for those who have been dealing with this condition for some time to want to sneak that sweet treat or to skip testing their sugar like they should. But why worry about your diabetes? Why keep such good track of it? What’s the harm in having just a nibble of dessert or going that one time without testing?

If your doctor hasn’t already frightened you enough with horror stories of what diabetes can do to you if left untreated, remind yourself that this disease can cause blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, impotence, and loss of toes or even feet to amputation because of gangrene.

Bear in mind that you don’t need to be a very old person to suffer these consequences of diabetes. It’s not uncommon for those who have been diagnosed for only a short time to experience complications, many of which require hospitalization, because of ignoring the risk or not following their self-treatment regimen properly. It also doesn’t take that long for these symptoms to appear if one neglects the proper care of diabetes. Because insulin is so important to the system and because blood sugar affects so many parts of our system, neglecting the care and treatment of diabetes for even one day can have very serious, long-term consequences.

The bad news is that diabetes is one the rise in the U.S. and other parts of the world as well; many doctors attribute this to obesity and the lifestyle choices and habits that bring this condition on. The good news is that doctors are learning new ways of treating diabetes every single day. Many patients are now using a small pump that keeps administering their medication on a regular basis so that they can forego injections. These medications are also being greatly improved upon as well.

However, the bottom line is that much of diabetes prevention and management is still going to rest in the hands of the patient. If your diet and lack of exercise is keeping you overweight, then keep in mind that these same habits and lifestyle choices are going to make you more prone to this disease. If you’re overweight because you eat a lot of sweets, you’re going to be wreaking havoc on your blood sugar and making your pancreas shift into overdrive.

Some people are more genetically disposed to diabetes but others still have the power to prevent it, and certainly it’s worth all the time, effort, and discomfort that you go through in order to treat it properly if you do already have it.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with diabetes such as Potassium, Oat Bran, Magnesium, Chromium Picolinate, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Exercise.

Potassium is used by the pancreas during insulin release.

Oat Bran contains fiber which helps to regulate blood glucose levels.

Magnesium is necessary for blood clotting and proper insulin function.

Chromium Picolinate plays a vital role in sensitizing the body’s tissues to the insulin and enhances glucose metabolism which will result in suppressing cravings for sweet foods. It is also responsible for regulating the efficient metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein.

Vitamin E accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Vitamin C can help the atherosclerotic condition of diabetic arteries while at the same time fight infection and aiding in the healing of the skin of the foot.

Exercise is also very important in controlling diabetes, because exercise burns sugar just like insulin. Exercise every day if possible; however, be careful to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

About the author:
David Cowley has created numerous articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. Visit Health Related Articles

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