Diabetes, The Whole Story

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition and is classified as a metabolism disorder that affects the body’s ability to move glucose from the blood and into the cells.

Research has found that there are many causes and risk factors in the development of the disease.  Although there is no cure, there are medications and lifestyle changes that can help a person treat the symptoms and live a normal life. Research into the causes of Diabetes has given us much information that can be used in the prevention of the disease.   

Causes

Diabetes, like many diseases has been linked to the heredity factor. The risk of a child inheriting the disease is about two to three percent if one parent is Diabetic.  If both parents have the illness, the risk factor for the child goes up considerably.   Age has been found to be a very large contributing factor.  Although the disease can onset at any age, research has shown that 80 % of cases occur after age 50.

Poor diet is also been shown to contribute to the onset of Diabetes. The combination of low fiber and protein intake coupled with high consumption of refined products increase the risk of developing the disease. 

Being overweight can cause increased insulin resistance, especially in people with a BMI of over25+. Lack of exercise can also increase the risk factor, as people who exercise at least two times per week have much less incidence of the disease. There is also some evidence that stress can cause the onset of Diabetes.

Symptoms

People will often have Diabetes and not know it.  This is because the symptoms seem quite harmless.  However, we should all be aware of these symptoms because the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the greater the chances of avoiding serious complications caused by Diabetes.  Here is a list of the symptoms

• Frequent urination:  this symptom is caused by too much glucose in the blood
• Unquenchable  thirst:   caused by replacing the liquid lost in frequent urination
• Intense hunger:  if your insulin is not working, the cells are not getting energy; your body reacts by trying to find more energy-food.
• Weight gain: caused because of  the above symptom (Intense hunger)
• Unusual weight loss: If your cells are not getting their energy, your body may search out other sources,(fat and muscle tissue will be broken down)
• Increased Fatigue:  with no glucose entering your cells for energy, you will feel tired and listless.
• Blurred Vision: caused by tissue in the eye drying out.
• Cuts and injuries heal slowly:  High levels of glucose impede on the body’s ability to heal.
• Bouts of gum disease/ infection:  this can be a sign of Diabetes.
• Sexual dysfunction in men:  this is also another symptom in men over 50.
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet:  Too much sugar in your blood can cause nerve damage. 

Treatment of Diabetes, if caught in the early stages, can simply be some lifestyle changes.  Beginning onset Diabetes can often be diverted with proper diet, exercise, and weight loss if necessary.   Even more important is prevention, with a high protein and fiber diet coupled with low processed goods consumption the onset can be averted.  There are cases that also require the patient to take insulin tablets or shots to control the sugar level of their blood.

Diagnosis of Diabetes numbers have begun to level out due to public awareness and prevention education.  There are many more cases diagnosed early because of public awareness of the symptoms.  The advancements in insulin treatments coupled with public education and awareness have increased the life expectancy of Diabetics to nearly that of a non Diabetic.