Health Chat

R. Chindomu,
S. Chidzomba,
K. Bhagat & L. Kalantle | Monday March 31, 2008 00:00

Insulin: This is a hormone which helps the glucose to enter cells. Insulin is made in the pancreas. There are two types of diabetes:

1) Type 1 diabetes- People with type I do not produce any insulin.
2) Type-2 diabetes- People with Type 2 do not produce enough insulin.

In people with diabetes, the cells become starved of glucose because they cannot get it from the blood. At the same time because the glucose cannot get into the cells, the level of glucose in the blood goes up.

Causes of Diabetes
Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of diabetes.  People are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes if they have some or all of the following risk factors:

1) Being overweight
2) Family history of Type 2 diabetes
3) Not being physically active enough
4) Previous diabetes in pregnancy

In Type 1 diabetes what happens is that the body's own immune system attack the pancreas and destroys its ability to make insulin. The cause of this is probably viruses or other infections.

Type 1 Diabetes
It is less common than type 2 diabetes and it usually develops in children and young adults.

Type 2 Diabetes
Most people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. In many cases obesity is closely linked to type 2 diabetes and this may be an important factor in the increasing number of type 2 diabetes.

In recent years, Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed more and more in younger people and even in children. This is largely due to the fact that children these days lead less active lifestyles.

The risk of Type 2 diabetes can be significantly reduced by lifestyle changes which increase physical activity and reduce body weight.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes:
In type-1 diabetes, symptoms develop quickly over a few weeks. However in type 2 diabetes the symptoms often develop gradually over many years.

* Thirst
* Passing more urine than usual, particularly at night
* Tiredness
* Unexplained weight loss
* Blurred vision
* Itching in the genital area (or regular episodes of thrush)

Treatment of Diabetes
Diabetes is a progressive condition, so over the years your treatment can change.
Type 1 diabetes the treatment is by giving insulin.

In Type 2 diabetes treatment usually begins simply with changes to your diet plus exercise, when diet exercise alone are not enough to control your blood sugar your doctor will recommend drug therapy. To start with this is usually tablets. The tablets can help your body make more insulin, or use insulin better, or slow down the digestion of food and absorption of sugars. If your body does not make enough or use insulin properly the doctor can prescribe insulin.

Insulin therapy works like the natural insulin your body would normally use. Insulin is effective in treating diabetes and will help to keep you blood sugar at healthy levels. Insulin needs to be injected. It cannot be given as a tablet because it would be digested by the stomach.

Complications
* In the heart and blood vessels, diabetes causes coronary heart disease and stroke
* Neuropathy- High blood glucose levels damage one or more nerves
* Vascular disease- Poor diabetes control can lead to poor circulation in the blood vessels of the legs and feet.

* Eye Disease- High blood glucose levels can affect blood vessels in the eyes causing diseases like glaucoma, cataracts.
* Diabetic retinopathy

* Nephropathy- Long-term diabetes may result in kidney damage. High blood glucose levels affect the small blood vessels, this reduces the kidney's ability to remove waste and to preserve important nutrients.

* Periodontal Disease: Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease and mouth infections. Good dental hygiene and regular dental appointments are the best prevention.
nursprac@cardiacclinic.co.bw