Over 1.4 million people suffer from Diabetes in the UK and that figure is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. In fact by 2010 it is expected that the figure will have doubled. Here is some Diabetes Advice to consider.
Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus to quote it's correct name, is the bodies inability to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It has been a recognized condition for over 3500 years. It is an incurable disease, but can be controlled by medication, exercise and diet.
What happens when you eat?
When you consume food your body converts carbohydrates to Glucose (sugar). This is used to provide your body with energy for physical activity and normal functioning. Once the carbohydrates have been converted to glucose, the glucose is absorbed and enters the blood stream. It's then carried around the body to muscle and fat cells to be stored or used as immediate energy depending upon your requirements. Any excess is also stored in the liver and adipose tissue.
Eating causes the amount of sugar in your blood to rise (blood sugar level). In response to this rise in blood sugar, your body releases the hormone, insulin. It is the job of insulin to facilitate the transportation of glucose from the blood into body cells. So insulin plays an extremely important role in getting energy from food into your body tissue where it can be used. This maintains the correct balance of blood sugar levels. Normal blood sugar levels are between 4.5 to 8 units. Diabetes is the failure of this particular function.
Insulin is stored and manufactured by the pancreas. The main function of insulin is to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood by stimulating the cells to absorb the amount of glucose required for energy, with any excess being stored in the liver or adipose (fat) tissue.
The result of this is that unused carbohydrates or sugar become trapped in the blood stream causing all sorts of complications.
What are the signs of diabetes and why you need to know?
The 3 main symptoms of diabetes are;
- Excessive urination - Polyuria
- Excessive Thirst - Polydipsia
- Excessive desire to overeat - Polyphagia
Some other symptoms are;
- Excessive fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing
- Loss of fat mass
**If you feel that you have some of these symptoms, you should visit your GP as soon as possible to have your blood sugar levels checked to receive the appropriate treatment and advice.**
There are 2 types of diabetes;
Type I Diabetes - Insulin Dependant
With type I diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin.
Has been called 'Juvenile onset diabetes' due to the fact it usually only affects children and young adults, although this is not strictly true because it can appear at any age. The majority of cases are under 20 years of age. Type I Diabetes only affects between 5 - 10% of the diabetic population. The causes are unknown, although research has suggested it could be caused by a specific infection, chemical toxins or exposure to cows milk at a very young age. Although none of these theories have yet been proven.
Type II Diabetes - Non-insulin Dependant
With Type II diabetes, insulin is produced but does not function normally, because the cells become insulin resistant.
Type II Diabetes accounts for 90% of the diabetic population and has been known as 'Adult onset diabetes' because it is more common above the age of 35. Development of the disease is linked to a poor lifestyle. However due to changes in lifestyle over the last 20 years, (poor diet and inactivity) this type of diabetes is starting to develop in people much younger. In fact 80% of people diagnosed with Type II diabetes are obese. But it can also develop due to genetics (family history).
Proper management of type II diabetes can be achieved with appropriate exercise and diet. However without proper management, type II diabetes can progress into type I where the sufferer will become insulin dependent.
The main short term complications of Diabetes are;
Hypoglycemia - Very low blood sugar levels. Can occur by missing a meal, too much exercise or too much insulin being injected. The symptoms are much like being drunk, slurred speech, dizziness, shaking etc.
Hyperglycemia - Elevated blood sugar levels. This is where there is too much sugar in the blood. This causes a huge amount of long term complications and can lead to diabetic coma in type I sufferers.
Some of the long term complication are;
- Coronary heart disease
- Nerve damage
- Kidney damage
- Eye damage
- Foot complications due to nerve damage
- Skin complications
Type II diabetes can be controlled without the need for insulin medication by introducing appropriate exercise and dietary changes. Unfortunately, type I diabetes can't. If you have type I diabetes you are dependent on insulin medication for life, however it is not an excuse not to exercise and eat healthily.
If you are obese or have a family history of diabetes then you are at high risk of developing Type II Diabetes. Start to take a serious look at your activity levels and diet. Take positive steps to increase activity and improve your diet before it's too late. As I said earlier, type II diabetes is to some degree preventable by changing your lifestyle. This could be the difference between becoming a diabetic and not.
If you think you are at risk, then it is wise to seek some sound advice from a dietitian and fitness professional for appropriate diet and exercise recommendations.
If you are already a diagnosed diabetic then do not shy away from physical activity. Because exercise has many benefits for diabetics by helping to control blood sugar, maintaining ideal weight, improving the quality of life and helping to avoid diabetic complications.
Seek the advice of a personal trainer to help with an appropriate exercise program.
Diabetes Advice
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