Traditionally thought to be a quite uncommon disease, Type I diabetes affects just about one out of every 250 people, both adults and young, living in the US today. Although the term "juvenile" has long been associated with this type of the disease, as in Type I juvenile onset diabetes, the illness may actually occur at any time in life, and appears equally among both men and women.
There are thousands things that can go wrong with your body. Consider this short list:
- Beta hydroxylase deficiency -
- Dwarfism stiff joint ocular abnormalities -
- Anonychia -
- Dystrophinopathy -
- Arthrogryposis spinal muscular atrophy -
- Chronic hiccup -
- Cantu Sanchez Corona Fragoso syndrome -
- Costochondritis -
- Cantu Sanchez Corona Hernandes syndrome -
- Alopecia -
- Erysipelas
Fortunately, even most doctors have not heard of some of these. But even though it is considered fairly uncommon, you probably know someone with Type I Diabetes.
Symptoms
While the symptoms of Type I diabetes tend to be subtle in most cases, if not treated, they will eventually become fairly severe. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Blurry vision - Frequent urination - Frequent skin, vaginal, or urinary tract infections - Dry mouth, even after drinking - Increased hunger, even just after eating - Increased thirst - Heavy or labored breathing for no apparent reason
Some of the more serious signs associated with Type I diabetes that demand an emergent need for medical attention may include:
Abdominal pain Shaking, trembling Fruity or sweet smelling breath Loss of consciousness, rarely in extreme cases
Causes
Scientists still aren't aware of some of the factors leading one to have Type I diabetes. But, they do know that a tendency to the condition may be inherited from one or both parents. Researchers have discovered that Type I diabetes may also be caused by something in the environment that causes a problematic reaction within the body's immune system. However, they are not sure as to the exact origin of these triggers.
Diagnosis
For an accurate diagnosis of Type I diabetes, a doctor must check for abnormal blood sugar levels by performing a blood test, or also testing for the presence of glucose or keystone in the urine. With today's knowledge, there is no way to test for impending Type I diabetes, or a method to prevent one from developing this type of diabetes.
Treatment
There are many, of all ages, who enjoy long, quite healthy lives despite having Type I diabetes. It's imperative to keep blood sugar levels under tight control, which may be achieved by eating the right foods, getting enough exercise, and the correct insulin therapy consistently one or more times a day. Anyone with this form of the disease must have insulin injections in order to properly manage their blood sugar level, which will also have to be tested regularly.
Without treatment, Type I diabetes may evolve into or cause several serious conditions, some of which may be life-threatening. Kidney damage is a quite common problem in those with the disease with a condition known as nephropathy. Other possible complications include retinopathy, which causes a loss of vision, heart disease, poor blood circulation and gastrointestinal disorders which may also result without medical treatment.
Although a serious disease, Type I diabetes is a disease that can still be successfully managed with the right medical care.
Many still thinks that table sugar or anything with it, for example soft drinks is the worst kind of food for diabetic person. There are, however others as bad or worse than table sugar. I was surprised when the doctor of my uncle (who is diagnose with diabetes) said that watermelon is one such example watermelon is my favorite fruit I'm glad that I don't have diabetes, I can eat all watermelon I like.
The doctor also said that what is important is to adjust the diet of a diabetic person to mange the weight because there is a close relationship between the incidence of diabetes and greater body weight. The doctor also said that diabetic people has to look closely at the glycemic index (GI) of the carbohydrates in the food they eat. It is important for people who are diabetic, to keep the blood sugar under control. The glycemic index of food in each 50g of carbohydrates is a measure of the food's ability to elevate blood sugar in the two or three hours after eating. Some are broken down more quickly in the intestine than the others, causing the blood sugar level to rise rapidly, and sometimes to dangerous levels. These carbohydrates have a high GI. Carbohydrates that are low in GI enter the bloodstream slowly and are the preferred type. They provide sustained energy and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. However he also said that do not eat this food too much, too much of anything is unhealthy. Eating an excess low GI food could cause an increase in body weight. Also stick to a low fat diet and exercise regularly.
Below are list of foods categorized according to glycemic index (GI):
Foods High in GI
white rice
raisins
white bread
watermelon
honey
cheerios
cornflakes
cooked carrots
cane maple and corn syrup
baked potato
glucose
Foods with Moderate GI
whole wheat bread
apple juices
bananas
sweet potato
brown rice
corn
popcorn
grapes
oatmeal
spaghetti/noodles
orange and orange juices
Foods with Low GI
barley
grapefruit
kidney beans
lentils
green peas
milk and milk products
pears
yogurt
plums
figs
peanuts
peaches
apples
Image via WikipediaDiabetes mellitus, or the sugar and sweets disease. Every time we eat or drink, glucose ( a form of sugar in foods) levels in the blood rise. This in itself, isn't bad since your pancreas, produces hormone called insulin, Insulin enables glucose to enter the body's cells which, in turn use the sugar as an energy source. Without the insulin your elevated blood sugar level (hyperglycemia) will persist and cause serious health complications. Diabetes mellitus has two types, The insulin dependent type (Type 1) is the less common but more severe form. It usually appears in young people under the age of 35 and most commonly between the ages 10 and 16. The insulin producing cells of the pancreas are destroyed, probably as a result of an immune response to a viral infection and insulin production ceases almost completely. Without regular injections of insulin, the sufferer lapses into a comma and dies. The more common non insulin dependent type of diabetes or (Type 2), on the other hand, starts slowly and develops mainly on people over 40 and who are overweight. Nine out of ten diabetics suffer from non insulin dependent type. It is a silent disease and is always discovered accidentally during a routine medical examination or only after complications develop. Insulin is produced but not enough to meet the body's needs. Often the body develop resistance to insulin.
Ask yourself these questions to know if you have sugar problems:
- Do you pee a lot?
- Are you always thirsty and always hungry?
- Are you losing weight?
- Do you have vaginal itchiness?
- Is a member of your family diabetic?
- Are you overweight?
- Do your children have large birth weight?
Here's what to do, have a healthy diet. Lower your intake of saturated fats or fat from animal sources. Eat more fiber. Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease, and can be avoided by eating and living healthy.
Exercise, Do so for for at least 30 minutes, five to seven times a week, If you're on the heavy side, lose weight. Studies have shown that losing five to 10 percent of your weight and eating healthy can swing the probability of you not developing diabetes by as much as 58 percent.
Lack of Sleep means added pounds - Perhaps surprisingly, recent evidence points to a strong link between sleep deprivation and obesity. Recent published studies suggest not getting enough sleep does two things that promote weight gain:
1. Hunger
2. Retards the body's metabolism
In combination, these two effects make it difficult for a sleep deprived person to maintain a target weight and shed pounds.
Sleep deprivation has been shown to affect the production of leptin, the chemical that makes you feel full. As a result, someone who hasn't been sleeping well may continue to feel hungry despite having a large meal. We feel hungry when we are awake than we are in sleep so the more hours the we are awake, the more hours that we will feel hungry.
Sleep loss may also interfere the body's ability to metabolized carbohydrates. This is cause your blood sugar level to shoot up, which in turn promotes the over production of insulin,leading to increased body fat.
Lack of sleep means getting ugly - This is a bad news for anyone who cares about her looks. While sun exposure is the often blamed culprit for premature aging, sleep deprivation can cause similar damage. Anyone who has lost a night's sleep can attest to the dull complexion and dark circles that inevitably stare back at her in the bathroom mirror next morning. But the long-term effects gradual and potentially irreversible. Sleep gives the skin the chance to repair itself while we are sleeping. Long term, those not getting adequate sleep may develop lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth sooner than individuals who gets and enjoy more sleep.
Lack of sleep may lead to depression, possible emotional disturbances and poor memory. It means Getting enough restful sleep helps prolong our lives and keeps us young active and vibrant.
We must realize that the quality of sleep is just as important as the quantity. There are several stages of sleep, ranging from light dozing to deep sleep and finally, dreaming sleep. These stages repeat themselves in a cycle throughout the night. Getting good quality sleep means getting enough deep sleep, and that requires being able to sleep peaceful, with few interruptions throughout the night.
Too many of us take sleep for granted, and don't think much starting the day tired and craving more time in bed. Taking control of how well you sleep takes effort and a little experimentation. But the rewards, feeling alert and energetic the rest of the day, improved mood, better health and better looks are more than worth it.
