Sunday, February 9, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Type 1 Diabetes....Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
n
people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot make insulin. This
vital hormone helps the body's cells convert sugar into energy. Without
it, sugar builds up in the blood and can reach dangerous levels. To
avoid life-threatening complications, people with type 1 diabetes must
take some form of insulin for their entire lives.
Warning Sign: Unusual Thirst
Dry mouth
Fruity breath
Frequent urination
- Unintentional weight loss
- Increase in appetite
- Lack of energy, drowsiness
Warning Sign: Skin Problems
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Itching, dry skin, poor circulation
- Girls with type 1 diabetes are more likely to get genital yeast infections. Babies can develop candidiasis, a severe form of diaper rash caused by yeast that can easily spread from the diaper area to the thighs and stomach.
More Dangerous Signs
Numbness or tingling in the feet
Blurred vision
Low blood sugar/hypoglycemia
Loss of consciousness
Some patients have no obvious warning signs before falling into a diabetic coma, which requires emergency treatment.
More Dangerous Signs: Ketoacidosis
Without
treatment, type 1 diabetes deprives your cells of the sugar they need
for energy. Your body starts burning fat for energy instead, which
causes ketones to build up in the blood. These are acids that can poison
the body. High levels of acid in your blood and the other abnormalities
that result from the change in your blood's pH level may trigger a
life-threatening coma known as diabetic ketoacidosis. This is an
emergency that must be treated quickly and oftentimes in the hospital.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes
In
type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and
destroys the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes,
the pancreas is not under attack and usually produces enough insulin.
But for numerous reasons, the body doesn't use the insulin effectively.
The symptoms of the two forms are similar, but usually come on more
rapidly in people with type 1.
What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?
Doctors
aren't sure what makes the immune system turn against the pancreas, but
most suspect a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental
factors. Scientists have identified 50 genes or gene regions that raise
the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. But genetics alone don't account
for all the risk, so having these genes doesn't mean that you'll
develop type 1 diabetes. Some researchers believe that environmental
triggers, such as a virus, or dietary or pregnancy-related factors may
play a role as well.
Who Gets Type 1 Diabetes?
Type
1 diabetes can develop at any age. However, it accounts for two-thirds
of the new cases of diabetes diagnosed in those under the age of 19.
There appear to be two peaks in the "age of onset": the first in early
childhood and the second during puberty. The condition affects males and
females equally, but is more common in whites than in other ethnic
groups. According to the World Health Organization, type 1 diabetes is
rare in most African, Native American, and Asian populations.
Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes
Simple blood tests can diagnose diabetes. A fasting blood sugar test or a
random blood sugar test (plus the presence of symptoms) can be used. An
A1c test, which reveals average blood sugar levels for the past 2-3
months, can also be used. Tests should be repeated on two separate days
to diagnose diabetes. A less convenient glucose tolerance test will also
help determine whether you have diabetes. If you're diagnosed with type
1 diabetes, your doctor may be able to determine the type by checking
for certain antibodies in the blood.
Long-Term Complications
Heart disease and stroke
Kidney failure
Vision problems and blindness
Gum disease and tooth loss
Nerve damage in the hands, feet, and organs
Monitoring Your Blood Sugar
The
first step toward preventing complications is to regularly monitor your
blood sugar or glucose level. This involves pricking your finger,
putting a drop of blood onto a test strip, and putting the strip into a
glucose meter. The results will help you optimize your treatment plan.
When your blood sugar stays near the normal range, you'll have more
energy, fewer skin problems, and a reduced risk of heart disease and
kidney damage.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Another
way to check blood sugar patterns is with a continuous glucose
monitoring system. A sensor measures the level of glucose in the tissue
every 10 seconds and sends the information to a cell phone-sized device
called a "monitor" that you wear. The system automatically records an
average glucose value every five minutes for up to 72 hours. The device
is not intended for day-to-day monitoring or long-term self-care, and it
is not a replacement for standard blood sugar monitoring. It is only
intended for use to discover trends in blood sugar levels.
Everyone
with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to help the body process blood
sugar. Most patients take insulin as an injection and need multiple
shots per day. Your healthcare provider will explain how to adjust your
insulin shots based on the results of your blood sugar testing. The goal
is to keep glucose levels in the normal range as often as possible.
Insulin Reaction Warning Signs
Taking too much insulin can lower your blood sugar to dangerous levels.
This is called an insulin reaction. These reactions can be mild,
moderate, or severe, requiring the help of others. Warning signs
include:
Exhaustion or excessive yawning
Being unable to speak or think clearly
Loss of muscle coordination
Sweating, twitching, turning pale
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Neutralizing an Insulin Reaction
People
who take insulin should carry at least 15 grams of a quick-acting carb
at all times. Fast carbs are a way to bring the blood sugar up quickly
to combat an insulin reaction. Examples include:
1/2 cup of fruit juice or non-diet soda
1 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of raisins
3 glucose tablets or 5 Lifesavers
If your blood sugar is still too low after 15 minutes, have another 15
grams. For a severe reaction, a drug called glucagon should be injected
under the skin by a family member.
Diabetes Treatment: Insulin Pump
One
way to reduce the odds of an insulin reaction is to use an insulin
pump. This device provides insulin through a tiny tube inserted into the
skin. It delivers insulin around the clock, eliminating the need for
insulin shots. An insulin pump can help keep your blood sugar more
stable and may allow more flexibility in planning your meals. Insulin
pumps do have some disadvantages, so talk to your doctor to learn if
this option is right for you.
How Well Is Your Treatment Working?
To
find out how well your treatment is working, your doctor will probably
suggest you have an A1c blood test every three to six months. This test
reveals how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past two
to three months. If the results show poor blood sugar control, you may
need to adjust your insulin therapy, meal planning, or physical
activity.
Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplant
If
insulin therapy fails to control your blood sugar or you have frequent
insulin reactions, you may be a candidate for pancreatic islet cell
transplant. Still an experimental procedure, a surgeon transfers healthy
insulin-producing cells from a donor into the pancreas of someone with
type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately, the results may last only few years.
Medications used to prevent rejection are necessary and can have very
serious side effects.
Type 1 Diabetes and Exercise
People with type 1 diabetes need to take precautions when exercising. To
prevent a sudden drop in blood sugar, your health care team may
recommend:
Checking your blood sugar before exercising
Adjusting your insulin dosage before exercising
Eating a snack before or during exercise
Your doctor may also suggest checking your urine for ketones, a sign
that your blood sugar is too high. Avoid strenuous activity whenever
ketones are present.
Type 1 Diabetes and Diet
There
are many myths about what people with diabetes can and cannot eat. The
reality is there are no "off limits" foods. You can eat sweets as part
of a well-balanced diet and treatment plan. The key is to work with your
health care team to balance your insulin therapy, meals, and level of
physical activity.
Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy
Let
your doctor know if you plan to become pregnant. When type 1 diabetes
is poorly controlled, it can cause complications, including birth
defects. Achieving good blood sugar control before conception lowers the
risk of miscarriage and birth defects to a rate similar to that of the
general population. It also reduces the risk of complications, such as
dangerous increases in blood pressure and damage to the retina in the
mother.
Type 1 Diabetes in Children
When
a child is diagnosed with diabetes, it affects the whole family in a
very practical way. Parents must help children monitor blood sugar, plan
meals, and adjust insulin dosages around the clock. Because diabetes
requires 24-hour maintenance, arrangements must be made for treatment
during school and extracurricular activities. Laws vary from state to
state regarding which employees may administer insulin at school.
Hope for an Artificial Pancreas
Researchers
are developing a system dubbed the artificial pancreas -- a combination
of an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor controlled by a
complex computer program. The goal is for the system to automatically
release insulin in response to blood sugar levels, and to reduce the
release of insulin when blood sugars drop, just the way a real pancreas
does. Early trials suggest the approach can improve blood sugar control.
An effective artificial pancreas could one day reduce the constant
maintenance associated with type 1 diabetes.
FOR EVER LIVING PRODUCTS FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES
Forever Garcinia Plus |
Forever Gin Chia |
Forever Fields Of Greens |
Forever Nature Min |
Forever Aloe Vera Gel (Drink) |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)