The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Diabetes

  • Diabetes mellitus; symptom check list/complications

    Diabetes mellitus and a related metabolic problem hypertension are two conditions currently taking heavy toll on young adults and older Africans. Many alternative medical practitioners claim to know enough of these two and to have more than enough herbal armamentarium that they can cure them with guarantee .Also there seem to be no shortage of diagnostic equipment for diabetes mellitus in particular; many of which are manufactured and calibrated using European and American measurement values . Another issue is that people think that life style related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus are of the affluent , and so simply avoiding white sugar and getting fat is sufficient to completely prevent diabetes mellitus. To some extent it is true that they are commoner with people dwelling in towns and cities or as someone mentioned once, diseases of car owners. In fact if you go to the village and find a fat man, he is likely to have gone on a visit and not resident there; the normal activities of village life keep such metabolic diseases as diabetes mellitus and hypertension at bay. Nigerian families who are lucky to have children overseas have had the privilege of having diagnostic sets sent to them so they can do home testing and monitor blood sugar. At the same time, there are people of different backgrounds and poorly understood motivation going from one office to the other carrying out what they call blood glucose tests. They make on- the- spot diagnosis, irrespective of time, age, sex or whether or not the subject took a bottle of seven up’ or had been fasting in fulfillment of a religious obligation, and they proceed to write prescriptions. All these may be considered to have one main benefit, at least heighten the awareness that excessive blood sugar is bad for the body and something needs to be done and quickly. However, there is the danger of trivializing the condition or making it look as if it is an ordinary illness, providing opportunities for all players, including non medical persons to manage even advanced cases, and giving patients false optimism . More seriously Patients going from one Doctor to another , or receiving medical advice and treatment from several different sources are the ones likely to develop complications without knowing. Registered medical practitioners don’t go about advertizing how fantastic they are at providing permanent solutions to specific diseases; practice regulations forbid them to engage in such practices, which place them at some disadvantage that can be exploited by others who see them selves competing.

    It is good for the patient to realize that there is so much to know and understand about diabetes mellitus , and since awareness does not necessarily translate to knowledge, it becomes dangerous when patients default and discharge them selves from the services of physicians and Hospitals to embrace the services of ill-defined, and untested health care providers. Beyond that more people are becoming too reliant on diagnostic machines, the more complex the machine, the more likely it is to be accepted as genuine and reliable even if in reality it has absolutely nothing to do with the disease it claims to diagnose, for instance, there are claims of computers that can cure diabetes Mellitus, without using blood, urine or for that matter any biological fluid. It is not bad at all to have equipment all over the place that can quickly diagnose diabetes mellitus and help monitor blood sugar at home; the fear though is how quickly abuse becomes a problem. The take away is that you must stay connected with your Doctor, to know what new issue are coming up , how they are being addressed and how you, not your neighbor fit into the new picture.

    No physician will talk about a cure for diabetes mellitus, because it does not exist and the sooner a patient accepts that, the less likely he is to default or let him self loose on excess alcohol and fast food. A Medical Doctor will emphasize working with the patient to achieve control of blood sugar to the level that will permit him live a reasonably normal life free of complications. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus involves good clinical judgment and supported by appropriate laboratory tests. Patients who have the condition and are not aware of it ,or fail to seek medical help because they have blood sugar monitoring gadgets sent from overseas often present to Doctors when complications in the form of blindness or kidney damage have set in . We must not forget that every now and then experts, meet to discuss emerging trends in diagnostic technology and review diagnostic criteria for some particular diseases. When that happens, a measurement level previously accepted as normal may suddenly become abnormal and disease defining. New Information concerning such changes may not be readily available to patients who do not see their Doctors on regular basis and the risk for them of developing complications will jump

    It is a characteristic of living things to move ; even when you are sleeping, your heart beats , and the muscles of your body maintain what is called a basal tone so they can have adequate supply of blood which delivers nutrients to them so they remain alive for you to wake up from that sleep. Movements require energy which in the human body is provided in the form of Glucose. The brain as different from other major organs of the body relies principally on glucose to enable the over a billion nerve fibers that form its electrical circuitry function effectively. The importance of this substance is easily appreciated when diabetic patients go into coma from whatever source; Quickly chewing one or two cubes of sugar brings the patient into consciousness within minutes , or if that fails, careful administration of a glucose solution through a vein by a registered Nurse or Doctor brings the patient out in a very gratifying manner much like a miracle;

    Cells make up different tissues of the body which assemble to form organs , the different organs are organized to form the different systems that produce a living human being . Thus a cell as they say is about the smallest independent structural and functional component of an organism. Different cells of the human body carry out different activities , and require energy to work. They get this energy in the form of glucose and for the glucose to enter the cells , it requires something to open the door .For this to occur, the body employs the secretion from the beta cells of an abdominal organ, called the pancreas. Shaped like a short thick walking stick , this very important organ is located across the central portion of the abdomen with a portion of the first part of the small intestine tucked between its head and neck and with the stomach lying behind and forming its bed. The beta cells of the pancreas produce the hormone insulin which together with glucagon from the alpha cells help regulate blood glucose. Insulin acts like a key to open the door for glucose to enter the cell and give it the energy to work and remain alive

    The human body gets glucose from carbohydrate sources under normal feeding conditions. When abnormal conditions persist as in fasting, starvation or disease conditions, the body will take from glycogen stores or extract glucose from non carbohydrate sources such as the proteins from the flesh. This occurs at a price that will put the patient in danger.

    Basic mechanism in diabetes mellitus/symptom check list

    About four different types of diabetes mellitus have been recognized,

    In type 1, the pancreas does not produce insulin, this may occur when the human body develops abnormal production of self destructive immune cells . It can also occur when diseases such as chicken pox, or other viral diseases cause severe damage to the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Cancer and injuries can also be involved, and these could occur singly or in combination. type 1 dm occurs in younger patients and it is not easy to handle compared to the other types. It is not common in Africa and used to be called insulin dependent type of diabetes, because treatment and the continued existence of the patient depend essentially on replacing the insulin that is lacking. It can very quickly result in death if insulin replacement is not done as soon as detected .The emergence of new therapeutic modalities has however informed the emphasis on simply using the former term

    TYPE 11 Diabetes mellitus occurs in older patients above 35years, some say 45; here patients need to know that the cells that produce insulin can be exhausted . There is therefore not enough insulin or the cells of the body no longer respond as appropriately to the insulin that is produced. Obese patients may not necessarily develop Diabetes Mellitus(DM), but are prone to it because of the number of extra cells and tissues they have to feed. Asthenia or being slim reduces the risk of developing DM, but can occur in people with a positive family history

    Others types of Diabetes mellitus include, Brittle diabetes m., Pregnancy induced Dm., Drug induced DM etc

    In Diabetes mellitus, there is excess sugar in the blood. The body tries to correct the situation by changing the biochemistry of the body ,and it does so by drawing water from the cells to dilute the sugar in the blood, and to get rid of the solution through urine formed by the kidneys.

    The kidney also tries to get rid of the excess water and the sugar ,and so the patient passes large amounts of sugary urine. As this goes on, the mass movement of water from the cells creates water starvation which is sensed by the thirst center in the hypothalamus, and so patient drinks water repeatedly, but in spite of that will not have the sense of satisfaction

    The movement of water across concentration gradients involve other important electrolytes such as potassium and consume energy and so the patient tires easily with minor activities of daily living.

    Unlike type 1 where the patient is likely to loose weight and appear thin, patients with the other types of diabetes in particular type 2 are most likely to be large or obese

  • Coping with the complications from diabetes

    Coping with the complications from diabetes

    A healthy body makes an active mind. But when the reverse is the case the individual is usually not at his or her best. Hereditary factors, lifestyle and some other factors usually predispose people to certain aliments. Experts, however, advise that it is better to prevent certain illnesses if we can. For many, the fear of diabetes is the beginning of wisdom. It is for this reason that they avoid certain foods and drinks even though they would have loved to taste and eat them on daily basis.

    So what is the big deal about diabetes, you ask? It is a disorder that talks about the body’s ability to change glucose (sugar) into energy. Glucose is the main source of energy for a person. When food is digested it converts into proteins, fats, or carbohydrates.

    The food that affects the blood sugar is carbohydrates. When digested, carbohydrates convert to glucose. Examples of some carbohydrates include bread, potatoes, corn, and pasta. If you have diabetes you can eat carbohydrates, but the intake must be limited. The glucose that is made from the carbohydrates is transferred to the blood and is utilised by the cells for energy. To have glucose transferred from the blood into the cells, insulin (a hormone) is required. Insulin is made by the beta cells n the pancreas (organ that produces insulin). Those who have diabetes cannot perform this process. Their pancreas is unable to produce proper amounts of insulin for the body.

    The most important thing about diabetes is to know which type you or your loved one has. Once you know which form of diabetes you have you can build a treatment plan with your doctor.

    Diabetes is a common group of chronic metabolic diseases that causes high blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body due to defects in insulin production or function. Diabetes is also known as diabetes mellitus, to distinguish it from a relatively rare metabolic disorder called diabetes insipid us that doesn’t affect blood sugar. Symptoms of diabetes occur when a lack of insulin or insulin resistance stops glucose from entering the cells and fuelling and energising the body. The resulting spike in glucose can result in symptoms such as increased hunger and thirst, weight loss, fatigue, and frequent infections. Long-term complications include kidney failure, nerve damage, and blindness.

    Interestingly, diabetes is categorised into two main categories and one subcategory, but all are typified by problems of insulin resulting in high blood sugar levels in the body. The first type of diabetes is categorised as an autoimmune disease and occurs when the body’s misdirected immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Although genetic or environmental triggers are suspected, the exact cause of type 1 diabetesonce referred to as insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset diabetesis not completely understood.

    Experts, however, inform that the second type of diabetes most often develops gradually with age and is characterised by insulin resistance in the body. It is because of this resistance that the body’s fat, liver, and muscle cells are unable to take in and store glucose, which is used for energy. The glucose remains in the blood. The abnormal buildup of glucose (blood sugar) can result in hyperglycemia and impaired body functions. Type 2 diabetes occurs most often in people who are overweight because fat interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin, but it also can occur in thin people and the elderly

    We also have what is called gestational diabetes, defined as blood-sugar elevation during pregnancy and is known to affect about three to eight percent of women. Left undiagnosed or untreated, it can lead to problems such as high birth weight and breathing problems for the baby. Gestational diabetes usually resolves in the mother after the baby is born, but statistics show that women who have gestational diabetes have a much greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes within five to 10 years.

    There is also what experts call Prediabetes. This condition is marked by blood sugar levels that are too high to be considered normal but are not yet high enough to be in the range of a typical diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes increases not only your risk of developing diabetes but also heart disease.

    Once you discover that you have diabetes, then you need to manage it properly. A lot of people with diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and move more every day.

    Taking good care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel better. It may help you avoid health problems caused by diabetes such as heart attack, stroke, eye problems, nerve damage, kidney problems as well as gum disease and loss of teeth.

    When your blood glucose is close to normal you are likely to have more energy, be less tired and thirsty and urinate less often. In addition, you would find yourself healing better and having fewer skin, or bladder infections. High blood glucose can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.

    The goal for most people with diabetes is below 130/80. To cope well, you will also need to eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese. You would be at your best when you eat foods with more fibre such as whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.

  • Diabetes

    The term diabetes, when not specified, refers to Diabetes mellitus, a serious metabolic disorder characterized by defects in the body’s use of carbohydrates.

    The other kind of diabetes is Diabetes insipidus, which is quite a different and relatively rare condition, in which an individual passes large quantities of pale, dilute urine, with consequent dehydration and excessive thirst.

    Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome in which the basic defect is the absence or shortage of the hormone called insulin. This hormone is carried by the blood to the kidneys, where it limits the outflow of water in the urine.

    The great majority cases of Diabetes insipidus are due to a tumour or inflammation in the region of the pituitary gland, thereby suppressing ADH production. Physical damage in form of fracture of the base of the skull or surgery in the pituitary area can also cause Diabetes insipidus. In addition, there is a rare inherited form of Diabetes insipidus where the production of Anti-Diuretic Hormone is normal, but the kidneys do not respond to the circulating hormone.

    As earlier stated, in Diabetes mellitus, an organ in the body (called the pancreas) is found not to be functioning properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the Beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin is carried by the blood to all parts of the body. The body’s cells use glucose (blood sugar) as their fuel. They have receptors to which insulin becomes attached. This binding of insulin enables the cells to use glucose by converting it into energy or storing it as fat. Any defect in this process, either in the pancreas, where insulin is being produced, or at the sites of attachment of insulin to the cells, would interfere with the body’s use of fuel to produce energy.

    Apart from the malfunctioning of the Pancreas, one other cause of this disorder is unbalanced diet. Most of us consume denatured food in one way or the other.

    Also, food additives and unhealthy drinks, whether soft drinks, teas, coffee or liquor may predispose one to metabolic imbalance.

    Symptoms: Having explained the primary causes of diabetes, let us consider the symptoms. The symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, loss of flesh, inordinate appetite, constant hunger, mental depression, progressive weakness, great thirst, dry tongue and impaired vision. The person could be irritable, restless and morose. The loss of energy is due to the loss of sugar, which is needed to generate the energy for daily activities.

    It must be noted that it is not in every case that all the symptoms are present in a patient. Therefore, it is most helpful to do tests in hospitals and diagnostic centers, in order to confirm whether a patient is diabetic or not.

    Luckily, there are simple kits now available for routine tests in this case.

    Treatment: Having touched on some causes and symptoms of diabetes, let us see how we can remove the causes and help quicken recovery where the disease is already there, or how one can prevent it in healthy bodies. One thing is obvious, that is, we must turn to NATURE.

    In Holistic Lifecare, it is strongly advised that imported styles of living (i.e. cooking, eating & drinking) must be looked into especially on the use of food additives and colourants in fast foods and so-called take-away. Heavy starchy foods should be cut down drastically, if they cannot be avoided, pending total recovery from the ailment.

    As we make efforts to repair a malfunctioning pancreas, there are some fruits and vegetables known to be helpful. These include carrots, paw-paw, cucumber, onions, garlic and lettuce, combined with soya-milk mixed with guinea-corn pap or porridge.

    Many of us might say that there is no time to embark on natural lifestyles, forgetting that the time required is less than the time we would spend at the clinic when we fall sick. The choice is yours.

    Control: The Holistic remedy that has been popularly suggested for the control

    of Diabetes is a combination of the natural extracts of some herbs scientifically called Anchomanes difformis, Pergularia daemia, Vinca rosea and Viscum album.

  • Diabetes

    The term diabetes, when not specified, refers to Diabetes mellitus, a serious metabolic disorder characterized by

    defects in the body’s use of carbohydrates.

    The other kind of diabetes is Diabetes insipidus, which is quite a different and relatively rare condition, in which an individual passes large quantities of pale, dilute urine, with consequent dehydration and excessive thirst.

    Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome in which the basic defect is the absence or shortage of the hormone called insulin. This hormone is carried by the blood to the kidneys, where it limits the outflow of water in the urine.

    The great majority cases of Diabetes insipidus are due to a tumour or inflammation in the region of the pituitary gland, thereby suppressing ADH production. Physical damage in form of fracture of the base of the skull or surgery in the pituitary area can also cause Diabetes insipidus. In addition, there is a rare inherited form of Diabetes insipidus where the production of Anti-Diuretic Hormone is normal, but the kidneys do not respond to the circulating hormone.

    As earlier stated, in Diabetes mellitus, an organ in the body (called the pancreas) is found not to be functioning properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the Beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin is carried by the blood to all parts of the body. The body’s cells use glucose (blood sugar) as their fuel. They have receptors to which insulin becomes attached. This binding of insulin enables the cells to use glucose by converting it into energy or storing it as fat. Any defect in this process, either in the pancreas, where insulin is being produced, or at the sites of attachment of insulin to the cells, would interfere with the body’s use of fuel to produce energy.

    Apart from the malfunctioning of the Pancreas, one other cause of this disorder is unbalanced diet. Most of us consume denatured food in one way or the other.

    Also, food additives and unhealthy drinks, whether soft drinks, teas, coffee or liquor may predispose one to metabolic imbalance.

    Symptoms: Having explained the primary causes of diabetes, let us consider the symptoms. The symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, loss of flesh, inordinate appetite, constant hunger, mental depression, progressive weakness, great thirst, dry tongue and impaired vision. The person could be irritable, restless and morose. The loss of energy is due to the loss of sugar, which is needed to generate the energy for daily activities.

    It must be noted that it is not in every case that all the symptoms are present in a patient. Therefore, it is most helpful to do tests in hospitals and diagnostic centers, in order to confirm whether a patient is diabetic or not.

    Luckily, there are simple kits now available for routine tests in this case.

    Treatment: Having touched on some causes and symptoms of diabetes, let us see how we can remove the causes and help quicken recovery where the disease is already there, or how one can prevent it in healthy bodies. One thing is obvious, that is, we must turn to Nature.

    In Holistic Lifecare, it is strongly advised that imported styles of living (i.e. cooking, eating & drinking) must be looked into especially on the use of food additives and colourants in fast foods and so-called take-away. Heavy starchy foods should be cut down drastically, if they cannot be avoided, pending total recovery from the ailment.

    As we make efforts to repair a malfunctioning pancreas, there are some fruits and vegetables known to be helpful. These include carrots, paw-paw, cucumber, onions, garlic and lettuce, combined with soya-milk mixed with guinea-corn pap or porridge.

    Many of us might say that there is no time to embark on natural lifestyles, forgetting that the time required is less than the time we would spend at the clinic when we fall sick. The choice is yours.

    Control: The Holistic remedy that has been popularly suggested for the control of Diabetes is a combination of the natural extracts of some herbs scientifically called Anchomanes difformis, Pergularia daemia, Vinca rosea and Viscum album.