Healthcare Reveal » diabetes

What Is Type 1 Diabetes? – Symptoms and Causes

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:21:47 +0000

Diabetes type 1 is a metabolism disorder where the body does not produce insulin which is important to convert sugar into energy needed in our daily life. What happen is the immune system which is suppose to fight bacteria and foreign viruses started attacking beta cells which is the primary source of insulin for some reason.

Now that these beta cells cannot release the insulin producing hormones, the body has a hard time breaking down sugars. Insulin is important to help transport nutrients throughout the body for energy. The body needs these functions to be able to perform effectively and efficiently. Unfortunately, this does not seems to be the case with type 1 diabetes.

The main problem with those suffering from type 1 diabetes is that sugar is not transported, and this can lead to starvation of the cell, causing it to not be able to perform its important functions. Apart from accumulating sugar, the body suffers from dehydration as well. The amassing of sugar would cause patients to frequently urinate because the glucose would simply be lost through the kidneys instead of being transported to cells. This means that the majority of victims would lose a lot of weight since the cells have no staple carbohydrate intake.

The most life threatening aspect is the fact that patients can develop Ketoacidosis, which is the fatal combo of dehydration, excessive sugar and large build up of acids. The sugar that is not released in urine would continue to build up and harden the arteries in the body, which may lead to a heart attack.

There is no specific age limit to the victims of diabetes type 1. The good news is that this condition only affects a small number of people. However, the main causes of type 1 diabetes is still unclear today. The only clear point that studies found over the years is that it is an inherited disease.

Symptoms of this condition include thirstiness, frequent hunger pangs, nausea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, abrupt weight loss, tiredness, blurry vision and difficulty in breathing. If you are having the symptoms above, consult a doctor immediately. The doctor will get a urine sample to know if you have this condition.

Do not be overly worried if you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. There are a lot of people who continue to live a normal and fulfilling life with this condition. One would have to regularly monitor one’s own sugar levels to treat and prevent onset of complications.

The main things to do are to keep a close watch on your diet, exercise regularly and undergo insulin therapy. The most common way to treat diabetes type 1 is through insulin injections. This is to make up for the lack of insulin that is not produced by the body. This condition can lead to kidney failure and other ocular complications if it is not treated. Heart disease is one of the possible linked disease as well.

Diabetic Neuropathy: What You Can’t Feel Can Hurt You

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:21:00 +0000

Diabetic neuropathy, the condition of ongoing loss of sensation in the feet, the hands, and other parts of the sensory nervous system, is a particular challenge to the medical profession. From their earliest training, doctors learn how to diagnose and develop treatment plans on the basis of pain as a system. In diabetic neuropathy, however, not feeling pain is the symptom. It’s very difficult for doctors, and diabetics, to treat a condition characterized by what the diabetic does not feel.

Diabetic neuropathy is depressingly common. Among type 2 diabetics who have diabetes for 10 years or more, about 50 per cent develop neuropathy.

Loss of sensation in the feet is particularly problematic. Cuts, scrapes, and scratches, along with something as simple as dry skin, can present open avenues to infection. Infectious microorganisms, as you have probably heard over and over again, thrive on sugar. Diabetes presents a “sweet” environment for the growth of infectious bacteria. When there is limited sensation in the feet, a simple infection can cause serious tissue damage in a very short time, untreated because it is unnoticed. Up to 25 per cent of type 2 diabetics eventually develop foot ulcers, and sometimes the very first diagnosis of type 2 diabetes occurs only when a foot has to be amputated.

Although the very best prevention of diabetic neuropathy is keeping blood sugar levels under control, there are many routes to treating and reversing neuropathy even after it occurs. The one thing to remember is, just as different diabetics respond best to different diets and different medications, no two diabetics experience diabetic nerve damage in the same way, either. You may have to try more than one method–in addition to keeping your blood sugar levels well controlled–to turn neuropathy around.

Heart Health and Stroke

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:14:41 +0000

Many women may not be aware that heart disease and stroke are major threats to their health. But heart disease is the number one cause of death among women in the United States, and stroke is number three. Heart disease and stroke also are major causes of long-term disability.

The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries that carry blood to the heart. Over time, this buildup causes the arteries to narrow and harden. This keeps the heart from getting all the blood it needs. Blood clots may develop. If the clot mostly or completely blocks blood flow to the heart, it causes a heart attack.

Stroke happens when the brain doesn’t get enough blood. Without enough blood, brain cells start to die.

The good news is that you can take steps to lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. This section of womenshealth.gov will help you figure out your personal risk factors for heart disease and stroke, as well as steps you can take to lower your risks. You also will learn the specific warning signs of heart attack and stroke. In women, the warning signs often are overlooked. But prompt treatment can help women recover from a heart attack or stroke with few or no disabilities.

Whatever your age, you can commit to heart-healthy living. It is never too late to take steps to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Let womenshealth.gov show you how.

Weight loss in the elderly, signs of diabetes

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:01:34 +0000

The U.S. scientists have concluded to give the new research on the health of their elderly. Accordingly, if the elderly people lost weight too quickly then this can be a sign of diabetes.
According to statistics nearly 2,000 people in the U.S. within eight years, about 129 people diabetes. In particular, those with low body index accounts for 79%.
In addition, those who lost weight rapidly at risk of diabetes by nearly three times higher than the weight loss is not significant. This is easily seen in overweight people, obesity at the time of starting the study.
Dr. Tiffany F. Hughes of the University of Pittsburgh, USA, said: “The findings of our shows, the rapid weight loss is the most obvious symptoms of diabetes, and those who have expressed a rapid weight loss risk earlier others.
Thus, the elderly need to monitor and control their weight regularly to assess the health status. If you see signs of continued weight loss, should see your doctor for advice.
However, experts note, the elderly should not be based on this study for that new weight gain continued as well. Overweight, obesity is the enemy of health, especially with the elderly.
Eating Disorder and maintain an appropriate level of weight is something new that the elderly need to be healthy.

Weight loss in the elderly, signs of diabetes

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:17:55 +0000

The U.S. scientists have concluded to give the new research on the health of their elderly. Accordingly, if the elderly people lost weight too quickly then this can be a sign of diabetes.

According to statistics nearly 2,000 people in the U.S. within eight years, about 129 people diabetes. In particular, those with low body index accounts for 79%.

In addition, those who lost weight rapidly at risk of diabetes by nearly three times higher than the weight loss is not significant. This is easily seen in overweight people, obesity at the time of starting the study.

Dr. Tiffany F. Hughes of the University of Pittsburgh, USA, said: “The findings of our shows, the rapid weight loss is the most obvious symptoms of diabetes, and those who have expressed a rapid weight loss risk earlier others.

Thus, the elderly need to monitor and control their weight regularly to assess the health status. If you see signs of continued weight loss, should see your doctor for advice.

However, experts note, the elderly should not be based on this study for that new weight gain continued as well.Overweight, obesity is the enemy of health, especially with the elderly.

Eating Disorder and maintain an appropriate level of weight is something new that the elderly need to be healthy.