The cold hard facts about diabetes are that it’s reaching epidemic proportions in America and thousands of people die each year from complications of the disease. Today, increasing numbers of Americans and their children are obese. This brings on the most prevalent type of diabetes, which is Type 2. In order to stop this epidemic the lifestyle of Americans must change drastically.

In the 1990s, diabetes increased more than forty percent in people of middle age; diabetes in people in their thirties increased seventy percent. According to statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate. It is estimated that more than sixteen million Americans suffer from diabetes, which is a disease that prevents the body from using the insulin that it manufactures. Only eight million people have had the disease diagnosed. Of those who have been diagnosed, many do not take the disease seriously and fail to monitor blood glucose levels or seek diabetes treatment on a regular basis. The result is serious complications and sometimes death.

More Facts

The facts on diabetes are grave. It is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and peripheral neuropathy amputations in the United States. Diabetes has many health risk factors, including heart disease and stroke. Each year 160,000 people in the U.S. die from complications of diabetes and health care costs to the country are over 98 billion dollars. The most tragic factor about these statistics is that if diabetics would monitor blood glucose levels, have regular diabetes checkups, change their lifestyle and get plenty of exercise, they could live longer, productive lives without major health complications.

How Diabetes Attacks

When we eat, our bodies turn food into sugar cells (glucose) to be used as fuel. A hormone, known as insulin, which is made by the pancreas, aids the glucose in entering the body cells. Too much of this sugar stays in a diabetic’s blood, which causes body cells to starve from lack of oxygen. When this happens, the result is high glucose levels and over time eyes, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels, the heart and other body organs are damaged. Peripheral limbs can become infected easily and nerve endings can die resulting in amputation.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes. Ninety percent of all cases of diabetes fall into this category. Diabetics suffering from Type 2 diabetes may not produce sufficient insulin to control blood glucose levels or their body cells don’t respond to it.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is the most severe type, but less people suffer from it. It is caused when the beta cells in the pancreas are damaged or when there is a malfunction in the immune system that causes it to attack beta cells in the pancreas. When this happens the beta cells are destroyed, no insulin is produced and blood glucose levels skyrocket.

Syndrome X

In non-diabetics the hormone insulin aids blood glucose in entering body cells. When people are inactive, overweight or are genetically susceptible, the cells do not respond to natural insulin that’s produced in the body. This causes the pancreas to produce more insulin in order to compensate and to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range. The excess insulin that’s produced is suspected of causing Syndrome X, which is a metabolic disorder that increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Research has proven that Syndrome X also causes cancer because insulin can initiate abnormal cell growth when produced in large quantities and not absorbed into body cells.

Insulin Resistance

Statistics show that insulin resistance may affect up to thirty percent of all adults who have a genetic flaw in the pancreas. Over a number of years the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin to control blood glucose levels, which causes Type 2 diabetes. In order to prevent this, diabetic experts urge glucose testing of all individuals on a regular basis to ensure that even the slightest elevations of blood glucose levels are monitored and treated immediately.

Who is at Risk?

Diabetes is caused by a combination of hereditary genes and lifestyle. The following factors increase the risk of diabetes:

• A family history of diabetes

• Overweight or obesity

• Lack of exercise

• Belonging to a specific ethnic group. Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Pacific Islanders and Asians all have a higher risk factor than other ethnic groups.

• Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes and those giving birth to babies who weigh over nine pounds at birth.

Symptoms

People who have Type 2 diabetes can’t tell they have it without having a simple test to determine blood glucose levels. This is the reason that so many Type 2 diabetics are undiagnosed until complications arise. If blood glucose levels are extremely high, the sufferer may experience blurred vision, excessive thirst, headache, dry or itchy skin, or the urgent need to urinate frequently.

Type 1 diabetes is easier to identify by the sufferer. Symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, unexplainable rapid weight loss, constant ravenous hunger, unquenchable thirst, severe fatigue, urgent and frequent need to urinate and succumbing to coma.

Determining the Type of Diabetes

Once a blood test has determined a diagnosis of diabetes, the physician must consider certain factors to verify if it is Type 1 or Type 2. Most Type 1 diabetics are diagnosed before they reach the age of thirty. Type 2 diabetics were traditionally over the age of thirty when diagnosed and were overweight or obese. Today, children and teens are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes due to lack of exercise and the junk food industry. An epidemic is sweeping the country and experts urge parents of children who are overweight to be alert for the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.

Treatment

Diabetes is a chronic disease and therefore cannot be cured. However, both Type 1 and Type 2 can be treated effectively so blood glucose levels are kept close to the normal range and the body’s use of insulin can be improved.

Diet

The food that diabetes sufferers eat is very important because the body turns food into glucose. Experts now recognize that a diabetic’s dietary needs are exactly the same as non-diabetics. Fat should consist of less than thirty grams per day. Twenty percent of daily calorie intake should come from lean protein. The remainder of the diet should consist of complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grain products. Consistency and moderation are imperative. Meals should be eaten at regular times each day and approximately the same amount of calories should be digested. Small meals should be eaten six times a day instead of three larger ones. Meals should never be skipped.

All diabetics should seek the advice of a dietitian who can help them develop a personal eating plan. The dietitian will ask questions about favorite foods, daily exercise, medical history and other unrelated health issues. The patient should always be truthful and give as many details as possible.

Today, experts recommend increasing natural foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes and small portions of lean protein such as chicken and fish. Diabetics are encouraged to avoid refined carbohydrates which include bagels, bread, pasta, rice, products that contain white flour, cake, cookies, candy, soft drinks and juices. Alcohol and tobacco use should be terminated upon diagnosis.

Exercise

Being active is crucial to the diabetic patient because it boosts the level of glucose taken in by the cells and lowers glucose levels in the blood. Diabetics who are starting an exercise regime should start slowly and gradually build up exercise time. Walking is great exercise for diabetics. Start with three five minute increments of walking per day and gradually increase the time over a few weeks to three twenty minute intervals. This gets the diabetic out into the fresh air and gives them a time of relaxation free from stress. If the diabetic patient chooses another type of exercise, it should also be started in small increments and gradually built up with time. Treadmills and stationary bicycles are also great ways for the diabetic patient to implement an exercise routine into their lifestyle.

Testing Glucose Levels

All diabetics need to test blood glucose levels on a regular basis. This can be done at home using a glucose meter and test strips, which can be used at most pharmacies. The glucose level testing kit includes a special tool that is used to prick your finger. The blood is placed on the test strip that has been inserted into the glucose meter and it is analyzed in seconds. The window on the glucose meter displays the amount of glucose in the blood. This allows the diabetic to keep blood glucose levels well under control by monitoring daily or several times a day, whichever is recommended by their diabetic health care professional.

Differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a condition that is dependent on insulin injections. People with this form of diabetes do not produce insulin in the body. Therefore, insulin must be monitored on a daily basis to control blood glucose levels and to assure glucose is absorbed by the cells for fuel. Type 1 diabetics must have insulin or they will die. The shots are taken daily before meals. The patient is taught to give their own injection, as well as how to incorporate uninterrupted and critical treatment into their lifestyle.

Modern technology has developed a small computerized device called an insulin pump that diabetics can wear. The insulin pump is connected to a needle by a plastic tube. The needle is inserted under the skin and the insulin pump automatically provides the diabetic with a constant supply of life-saving insulin. The insulin pump can be set to give larger doses before meals.

Insulin pumps can be very beneficial to Type 1 diabetics because they supply insulin in a similar method to that of the pancreas. Pumps enable diabetics to get their diabetes under control easily, but are expensive and more complicated than insulin shots. Diabetics who wish to use an insulin pump should talk to their doctor or diabetic health care professional to determine if an insulin pump is the best method of blood glucose management.

Ketoacidosis

It is very easy for blood glucose levels of Type 1 diabetics to become too high. The reasons are they are not getting enough insulin, they are over-eating or they are under a lot of stress. If there isn’t enough insulin in the blood, the body starves from lack of fuel and begins to break down fat. Because of this, the body gives off toxic chemicals called ketones. These can cause breathing problems, dry, itchy skin, unquenchable thirst, vomiting or coma. If diabetics suffer one or more of these symptoms they should test their blood glucose levels using a glucose meter and also test their urine for ketones. Ketone urine strips are available at most pharmacies. If ketones are found in the urine, it is imperative that the diabetic seek medical attention immediately.

Hypoglycemia

If diabetics get too much insulin or sufonylurea pills, their blood sugar level can plummet. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include confusion, fatigue, hunger, the shakes or profuse sweating. If these symptoms appear, the diabetic should test blood glucose levels immediately. A blood glucose reading of less than 70 in the U.S., or 4.0 in Canada can be raised by drinking a half cup of orange or other fruit juice, eating two tablespoons of raisins, drinking one cup of skimmed milk, drinking one-third of a can of regular soda, swallowing four teaspoons of sugar or eating three hard candies. It is important that blood sugar levels stay even with, or above the readings suggested here. Anything below these readings can cause the body to go into hypoglycemic shock.

Type 2 Diabetes

People with Type 2 diabetes can often gain control of blood glucose levels by losing between fifteen and twenty pounds; other times proper eating habits, lifestyle changes and plenty of exercise doesn’t control the diabetic’s blood glucose levels. When this occurs, diabetics have to take sulfonylureas or biguanide pills. If these are not effective, insulin has to be taken by injection.

Diabetic Pills

Diabetic pills are not insulin. They help the body use the natural insulin it produces in an efficient manner. There are a wide range of sulfonylureas pills available but only one biguanide, which is metformin. Both the American and Canadian Diabetic Associations agree that there is no one pill that is superior. The difference is how long the medication takes to work, how often it needs to be taken and the side effects that it produces. Metformin can cause severe diarrhea, upset stomach and excessive flatulence. Sulfonylurea pills can cause extremely low blood glucose levels. Either type of pills can react with other medications.

Prandin is a fast-acting medication that lowers blood glucose levels that cannot be lowered through the use of diet and exercise. Prandin is eliminated through the liver and works well for diabetics who suffer from kidney disease.

There are times when diabetic pills are not effective. When this happens physicians may use a combination of drugs to help the diabetic patient lower blood glucose levels.

Insulin

If blood glucose levels cannot be controlled with diabetic pills, insulin supplements, either alone or in combination with pills may be necessary. There are various types of insulin that may be chosen by physicians to control diabetes. Some insulin comes from cows and pigs, while some is made in labs. That made in labs seems to cause fewer side effects. Diabetics taking insulin supplements should talk with their physician or diabetic health care professional about the type of insulin supplement that’s best for them.

Insulin comes in three speeds that affect how fast it enters the blood stream, how long it takes to reach its peak and how long it stays in the blood. Physicians are able to use different speeds of insulin to adjust treatment to a diabetic’s needs. Some insulin is injected before meals to maintain blood glucose levels produced by food. Long acting insulin is injected before bed to maintain blood glucose levels throughout the night. It isn’t unusual for two speeds of insulin to be mixed to maintain proper blood glucose levels. These can be mixed by the diabetic or purchased at a pharmacy pre-mixed.

Risks

If glucose levels are not properly maintained, diabetes can cause blindness, kidney and nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke and coma. Peripheral neuropathy, which is the dying of the nerves in the extremities, can also occur. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include prickling and tingling, burning, bladder and kidney infections, weak muscles, diarrhea, numbness, fainting, vomiting and impotence. To prevent neuropathy, blood glucose levels must be maintained by regular exercise, proper diet and abstinence of alcohol and tobacco.

Defense

Remember that the best defense against diabetes and its complications is to keep blood glucose levels within the normal range or as close to it as possible. Regular checkups by a physician or a diabetic health care professional are imperative. Good maintenance of blood glucose levels will allow diabetic patients to live long, health and productive lives.