- Medical Conditions and Diseases


| back to previous page |

Diabetes (more information)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in America. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body is unable to effectively turn consumed sugar into energy that the body can use to function. Sugar in your diet comes not only from sweets, but also starches such as bread, pasta and other foods. Sugar is an essential source of energy for your body, but in order for sugar to be converted into energy there has to be enough insulin present in your blood. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by a gland called the pancreas, which sits just behind your stomach. Insulin allows sugar to be converted into energy that your body can use. If you have diabetes your body cannot process sugar into energy because it doesn't have enough insulin or does not respond to the insulin you do have to turn the sugar into energy. Therefore a person with diabetes has a buildup of sugar in their blood, which can cause serious health complications such as kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and impotency. In addition, people with sedentary lifestyles who over eat are at higher risk of developing diabetes.

TYPES OF DIABETES

Type 1 Diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes)

Of all people with diabetes only 5-10% have Type 1 diabetes. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin at all and must be injected with insulin to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There is little information on what causes Type 1 diabetes although it may be hereditary or due to environmental factors. For more information about living and coping with Type 1 diabetes take a look at: http://www.diabetics.org/main/application/commercewf?origin=*jsp&event=link[D]

Type 2 Diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes affects 90-95% of people with diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes the body doesn't respond to the insulin that is produced or not enough insulin is produced to turn sugar into energy. Risk factors for Type 2 are older age, family history of diabetes, obesity, lack of physical activity and impaired glucose tolerance which means that blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. African Americans, Latino Americans, American Indians and Pacific Islanders are especially at risk for Type 2 diabetes. For more information about Type 2 diabetes take a look at: http://www.diabetics.org/main/application/commercewf?origin=*jsp&event=link[C]

How Diabetes Affects the Body

People with diabetes have high blood sugar levels which damages blood vessels all over the body. High blood sugar levels make the walls of blood vessels thicker and less elastic so blood has a harder time passing through. In addition, people with diabetes tend to have higher fat levels in their blood because they have higher blood sugar. These fats or lipids clog and narrow the blood vessels creating a problem called atherosclerosis.

Vascular System

EYES: The high blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can damage blood vessels in your eyes and lead to vision loss, which doctor's call retinopathy. Men with diabetes are more likely to have retinopathy than women with diabetes.

HEART: High blood sugar levels in your circulation system, which pumps blood through your body, can lead to heart disease, stroke, and angina (heart pain). People with diabetes are more likely to have a heart disease as compared to people who don't have diabetes.

KIDNEYS: Kidneys maintain the right amount of water in the body and help to filter out wastes, but diabetes can damage your kidney, which may lead to bladder problems, kidney infection, diabetic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure.

LOWER LIMBS: High blood sugar levels from diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor circulation in the feet and lower limbs. Because of the nerve damage people with diabetes often loose sensation in their lower limbs and may not feel any blisters or cuts they may have in those areas. Because there is limited blood flow to the lower limbs due to the poor circulation it makes infections and cuts in these areas difficult to heal and may ultimately lead to amputation. Men are more likely to have amputations due to diabetes than women.

Nervous System

Your nerves can also be damaged and therefore impair your ability to feel properly, this may lead to numbness and tingling in various parts of your body. The nerve damage caused by diabetes can also damage the nerves and arteries in the genital area, disrupting the blood flow necessary for an erection causing impotence in men. This is more common in older men who have had diabetes for a long time.

Risk Factors

You cannot catch diabetes from someone. Diabetes is a disease whose cause in unknown, but genetics and environmental factors are thought to play a role. Approximately 7.8 million men or 8.3% of all American men over 20 have diabetes but one-third of them do not know it. People who are at high risk are:

  • Anyone that is 45 and older should be tested for diabetes, especially if you are overweight (To find out if you are considered overweight please consult this table http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/pubs/risk/bmi_tbl.pdf).
  • African American, Latino American, American Indian and Pacific Islander men are at higher risk for diabetes, especially for Type 2 diabetes.
  • African Americans and Latino Americans are twice as likely as whites to have diabetes. About 2.8 million or 13% of all African Americans have diabetes, but approximately 1/3 of them do not know it.
  • African Americans who have diabetes experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputation of the lower limbs.
  • People who are relatively inactive and have high blood pressure are also at risk.

SYMPTOMS

The only way to know for sure if you have diabetes is to visit your doctor and ask for a blood sugar test. However some common symptoms of diabetes are:

  • frequent urination
  • often thirsty
  • unexplained weight loss
  • irritability
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pains
  • extreme hunger
  • difficulty seeing
  • frequent skin, bladder or gum infections
  • dry skin
  • sores that heal slowly
  • more infections than usual
  • numbness or tingling in hands or feet
  • feeling very tired

COMPLICATIONS

KIDNEY FAILURE: Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, which can be a fatal illness. Treatment for kidney failure includes dialysis or kidney transplant. Dialysis is a procedure that cleans and filters your blood. It gets rid of harmful wastes and extra salt and fluids in your body. It also controls blood pressure and helps your body keep the proper balance of chemicals. Some symptoms of kidney failure include:

  • Bloating
  • Bleeding, often in the stomach or small intestines
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Coma

NEUROPATHY: Diabetic neuropathies are a group of nerve disorders which result from long term damage to nerves by high blood sugar levels. Neuropathies can lead to numbness, pain and weakness in the hands, feet, arms and legs. Neuropathies may also cause problems in any organ system. People with diabetes can develop a neuropathy at any time however those who have had diabetes for longer are at higher risk. The symptoms for neuropathy include:

  • Numbness, pain, or tingling in hands, feet, arms, and legs
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Weakening of muscles in the feet and hands
  • Indigestion, nausea or vomiting
  • Problems with urinating
  • Impotence (inability to have an erection)
  • Dizziness or faintness
  • Weight loss
  • depression

PREVENTION/PLANNING AHEAD

  • Maintain a healthy diet that is low in fats and sugars.
  • Control your blood pressure, which reduces cardiovascular disease (stroke and heart disease) and kidney disease.
  • Decrease your cholesterol and fat intake, which can reduce cardio vascular disease.
  • Get your vision checked to diagnose retinopathy.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Walking is a good start!

TREATMENT

Treatment for diabetes is directed at lowering the amount of sugar in your blood to normal levels. The large majority of treatment for diabetes depends on the attitude of the patient. Most treatment plans consist of measuring your blood sugar levels, taking diabetes pills or shots of insulin, losing weight, exercising and maintaining a balanced diet. The regulation of diet and blood sugar levels require a personal change in lifestyle, which can be mediated through supportive family, friends and physician.

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes)

INSULIN: For people with Type 1 diabetes insulin can be used in treatment. Insulin is a drug that is made to work exactly like the insulin your body would naturally produce. Insulin is injected under your skin through a syringe, insulin pin or through pump therapy. Insulin cannot be taken through a pill. There are over 20 different types of insulin available through prescription and it is up to you and your doctor to decide which one is best for you. For more detailed information about insulin consult this website: http://www.diabetes.org/main/type1/medical/insulin/about_insulin.jsp.

MONITORING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR: According to the American Diabetes Association you should check your blood sugar regularly if you are taking insulin or diabetes pills, or if you have a hard time controlling your blood sugar. To test your blood sugar you prick your finger or other fleshy area on your hand, arm or thigh to get a droplet of blood for testing. From there you test the droplet with a blood glucose meter (a small machine, like a calculator), which tells you the amount of glucose or sugar in your blood. This information allows you to see how close to normal your blood sugar is. For more information on the procedure, the different blood glucose meters available and when you should test your blood sugar please see this website: http://www.diabetes.org/main/type2/medical/blood_sugar/default2.jsp.

Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes)

People with Type 2 diabetes can usually maintain normal blood sugar levels through maintaining a healthy diet, losing weight and exercising. Although the main treatment is based on altering personal habits you still need to see your doctor regularly. In order to properly control diabetes you need the help of your physician who can keep help you monitor your progress in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. However, for some individuals good diet and exercise aren't enough to maintain normal blood sugar levels. The next step is to take either diabetes pills or insulin shots.

DIABETES PILLS: Diabetes pills do not contain insulin. There are three classes of diabetes pills which all lower blood sugar, but in different ways. The first class helps your body to make more insulin so that your body can use the sugar in your blood. The second class allows the insulin that you already have in your blood to be more effective at using the sugar in your blood. The third class helps to lower blood sugar by breaking down starches (pasta, bread) and sugar. Your doctor may also recommend that you take some of these pills together. Consult this page for more information on diabetes pills: http://www.diabetes.org/main/application/commercewf?origin=*.jsp&event=link(D4_3).

INSULIN: For people with Type 2 diabetes insulin can be used in treatment. Insulin is a drug that is made to work exactly like the insulin your body would naturally produce. Insulin is injected into the blood stream through a syringe, insulin pin or through pump therapy. Insulin cannot be taken through a pill. There are over 20 different types of insulin available through prescription and it is up to you and your doctor to decide which one is best for you. For more detailed information about insulin consult this website: http://www.diabetes.org/main/type1/medical/insulin/about_insulin.jsp.

MONITORING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR: According to the American Diabetes Association you should check your blood sugar regularly if you are taking insulin or diabetes pills, especially if you have a hard time controlling your blood sugar. To test your blood sugar you prick your finger or other fleshy area on your hand, arm or thigh to get a droplet of blood for testing. From there you test the droplet with a blood glucose meter (a small machine, like a calculator), which tells you the amount of glucose or sugar in your blood. This information allows you to see how close to normal your blood sugar is. For more information on the procedure, the different blood glucose meters available and when you should test your blood sugar please see this website: http://www.diabetes.org/main/type2/medical/blood_sugar/default2.jsp.

Complications of Treatment

HYPOGLYCEMIA: Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by low blood sugar. This is a common complication of diabetes that can occur even when you are doing your best to control your blood sugar. Its symptoms include:

  • Low blood sugar
  • Dizziness
  • Shaking
  • Sweating
  • Hunger
  • Headache
  • Pale skin
  • Sudden moodiness or behavior changes
  • Clumsy or jerky movements
  • Seizure
  • Difficulty paying attention or confusions
  • Tingling sensation around the mouth

Please take a look at this website for more information on hypoglycemia: http://www.diabetes.org/main/application/commercewf?origin=*.jsp&event=link(C4_5).

HYPERGLYCEMIA: Hyperglycemia is a conditioned caused by high blood sugar. If you have high blood sugar when the body doesn't have enough insulin or does not respond to the insulin you have to process the sugar, there is an excess of sugar in your blood. This is a serious condition if it is not treated. Its symptoms include:

  • High levels of sugar in urine
  • High blood sugar level
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased thirst
  • Fatigue

If hyperglycemia is not controlled it can lead to ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is when your body is dangerously low on insulin and therefore cannot process the large amount of sugar in your blood to use as fuel. So, your body breaks down your fat stores to use for fuel. When your body breaks down fat ketones are produced. Because your body doesn't like to have a lot of ketones it urinates a lot to try to get rid of them. This condition is life threatening and you must see a doctor to control it. Its symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Breath that smells fruity (ketones give it the fruity smell)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Very dry mouth

Please look at this website for more information on hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis: http://www.diabetes.org/main/application/commercewf?origin=*.jsp&event=link(C4_6).

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

There are alternative therapies available for the treatment of diabetes such as acupuncture, biofeedback, vitamin and mineral supplementation and guided imagery. Consult this website from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse for more information http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/summary/altmed/altmed.htm.

HELPFUL LINKS

REFERENCES

American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

Joslin Diabetes Center
http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/library/prevent_itg.shtml

http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/library/index.shtml

http://onlineclasses.joslin.org/

http://www.diabetes.org/main/info/facts/facts_men.jsp

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/welcome/releases/11-00.htm

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/index.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=9E510C36-F9F7-4E3B-A7054C1D1F942043&section=2

GLOSSARY

Artery- A muscular tube that carries blood away from the heart to the other parts of the body

Chronic disease- A disease that lasts for a long period of time. Diabetes is a chronic disease because it is a life long condition. Although diabetes may develop at any age, once it has developed you will have it for the rest of your life.

Glucose- The chemical name for the sugar our bodies require to make energy.

Impotence- Inability to have an erection or to maintain an erection until ejaculation

Nerves- Bundles of fibers that send and receive information from all over your body.

Retinopathy- a disorder of the retina (membrane lining the inner eyeball) of the eye, which causes blindness.

Sedentary lifestyle- A lifestyle in which you are used to sitting and do not do much exercise or other physical activity

| back to previous page | top of page |