StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Diabetes and Sugar - Article Example

Summary
This paper 'Diabetes and Sugar' tells that the food we eat is broken down into sugars.  The main sugars are called glucose, and this is used by the body as fuel to produce energy.  Glucose is absorbed by the bloodstream and the body produces the hormone insulin to transport the glucose to the cells which use them for energy…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.1% of users find it useful
Diabetes and Sugar
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Diabetes and Sugar"

DIABETES What is Diabetes? The food we eat is broken down into sugars. The main sugars are called glucose and this is used by the body as fuel in order to produce energy. Glucose is absorbed by the bloodstream and the body produces the hormone insulin in order to transport the glucose to the cells which use them for energy. Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a metabolism disorder wherein an abnormality in the functioning of insulin inhibits the glucose from producing energy. Specifically, diabetes develops when insulin is not produced; if insulin is produced, it either does not work properly or it is not enough. These correspond to the two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition wherein the body stops making insulin causing the blood glucose to go very high. The glucose just builds up in the bloodstream unless insulin is injected; this is why it is often called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is also known as juvenile or early onset diabetes because it typically develops in children and young adults. Cause The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not known at this point but researchers suspect that it may be triggered by viral or environmental factors in genetically susceptible people. Such factors were thought to cause an auto-immune response; that is, the body produces antibodies that mistakenly attack the cells that produce the insulin. Symptoms Some people do not have symptoms before being diagnosed with diabetes through a routine medical check-up. However, there are some indications to watch out for such as: Feeling hungry and thirsty a lot of time and urinating more often; Feeling tired or fatigued; Unexplained weight loss; Blurry eyesight; A tingling feeling in the feet or losing feeling in the feet; Symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) such as: rapid breathing, dry skin, dry mouth, flushed face, fruity breath odor, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain; Symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar (especially for people taking insulin) such as: headache, hunger, palpitations, shaking, sweating, weakness. Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is also known as maturity onset or late onset diabetes because it typically develops in adults 40 years old and above. With Type 2 diabetes, the illness gradually develops over the course of several weeks or months because the body still produces insulin. However, the insulin produced is not enough or the cells in the body are not able to use them properly. This development is called “insulin resistance”. Cause Several factors may significantly increase the risk of a person developing Type 2 diabetes. This includes genetics, low levels of physical activity, poor diet, and excess body weight especially around the waist. The latter is due to the fact that fat interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin. Overweight people are not the only ones at risk, though; thin people may still develop Type 2 diabetes especially the elderly. Symptoms Not all people who develop Type 2 diabetes have symptoms but those who do often report the following: blurred vision, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, infections that heal slowly or recur, frequent infections, increased appetite and thirst, and increased urination. Complications of Diabetes The symptoms tend to develop quickly in Type 1 diabetes and more gradually in Type 2 diabetes. After treatment, symptoms are relieved. Without treatment, however, the patient may be putting himself or herself at risk of complications. Very high blood glucose level A very high glucose level, if left untreated, can cause dehydration, drowsiness and serious illnesses that could be life-threatening. High glucose level in the bloodstream can result to ketosis or the formation of acids. The resulting dehydration can trigger a fatal coma. Long-term complication If the blood glucose is higher – even mildly – than normal for a long period of time, it can damage the blood vessels. This can lead to the following complications: Hardening of the arteries (artheroma) that can result to poor blood circulation, angina, heart attacks, and stroke; Eye problems due to damage to the small arteries of the eye’s retina; Kidney damage that can lead to kidney failure; Nerve damage which can lead to impotence and foot sores or foot ulcers (both also due to poor circulation). Treatment complications Taking too much insulin can severely depress blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia). This can make the patient confused and unwell and possibly lapse into a coma. Emergency treatment includes sugar, sweet drinks, or a glucagon injection. The patient is then made to eat a starchy snack. Tests Diabetes can be diagnosed by the following blood tests: Fasting blood glucose level – if blood glucose is higher than 126 mg/dL on two occasions, diabetes is diagnosed; Random blood glucose level – if blood glucose level is higher than 200mg/dL and the patient exhibits some of the symptoms of diabetes, diabetes may be suspected and a fasting test must be undertaken for confirmation; Oral glucose tolerance test – blood glucose that registers higher than 200 mg/dL after two hours of administering the test confirms diabetes; Ketone testing – urine test for ketones is usually done if Type 1 diabetes is suspected. The patient should be able to test and monitor their own blood sugar at home in order to adjust their insulin, diet and exercise to the right amount and prevent serious complications. Generally speaking, blood glucose levels should be between 80 to 120 mg/dLbefore meals and between 100 to 40 mg/dL at bedtime. A glucometer can give the patient an accurate blood sugar reading. Treatment The immediate goal of treatment is to keep blood glucose as near to normal as possible. But treatment and management of the condition does not stop there; the patient also has to be concerned about long-term goals which include reducing symptoms, leading a healthy lifestyle and preventing diabetes-related complications. Keeping blood glucose near normal Healthy diet Low fat, high-fiber diet with plenty of starchy fruits and vegetables is recommended for people with diabetes. The patient should be able to balance the amount of insulin with the amount of food. The patient is advised to eat at about the same time each day and to be consistent with the types of food they eat to prevent blood glucose from becoming too high or too low. Medications to treat diabetes If diet and exercise do not help maintain near-normal blood glucose levels, medications may be prescribed and may be taken with insulin. Some of the common types include: Biguanides (Metformin) that makes the liver produce less glucose and less glucose is absorbed from the bloodstream. Sulfonylureas (like glimepiride, glyburide, and tolazamide) helps the pancreas produce more insulin. Thiazolidinediones (such as rosiglitazone) helps cells absorb more blood glucose in the presence of insulin. Injectible medications (including exenatide and pramlintide) may help lower blood sugar. Meglitinides (including repaglinide and nateglinide) helps the pancreas to respond accordingly to blood glucose levels in the blood. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose) decrease carbohydrate absorption to lower glucose levels after meals. Insulin People with diabetes, especially those with Type 1 diabetes, require 2 to 4 insulin injections every day to help bring down the blood glucose levels in their blood stream. Insulin may also be delivered through a pump but it is not available in pill or oral form. There are several preparation of insulin differing in how fast they start working and how long they last. Doctors are better positioned to advise patients on which type of insulin preparations to opt for and how often. Doses may also need to be adjusted when the patient is exercising, is sick, is travelling or eating more or less food and calories. Reducing risk factors Reducing risk factors can help keep complications from developing. Keep blood pressure down by having it checked regularly; If the patient is a smoker, the patient would need to quit; The patient has to exercise regularly to control the amount of sugar in the blood, to burn off excess fat, and to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Thirty minutes of brisk walking at least five times a day is the minimum required. The patient should check their foot everyday for sores or foot ulcers and must wear the right shoes to avoid getting infections. The patient must lose the excess weight if they are overweight Early detection and treatment of complications Regular medical check-ups are necessary in order to detect early signs of complications. Such tests may include checking for blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, blood pressure, eye checks, urine tests, foot checks, blood tests and other general medical tests. The doctor may recommend medications to reduce the chances of developing other health conditions in people who are particularly susceptible. ACE or ARB inhibitors may be recommended for those with high blood pressure and signs of kidney problems. Statin may be prescribed for those with abnormal cholesterol levels. Aspirin is usually advised to prevent heart disease. Read More

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Diabetes and Sugar

The Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect the way that one's body uses blood glucose, which is commonly referred to as blood sugar.... estational diabetes can occur as a result of pregnancy and causes high blood sugar.... Unlike the aforementioned types of diabetes, a woman with gestational diabetes usually has normal sugar a few weeks after delivery.... Prediabetes occurs when one's blood sugar level is significantly high but has not increased enough to be categorized as Type 1 or 2 diabetes....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Increase in Diabetic Blood Sugars

It is therefore essential that they are properly trained in the diagnosis of diabetes and are knowledgeable about the identification of predisposing factors for diabetes.... Introduction Monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) is an important aspect in the life of a diabetic patient, maybe suffering from Type I or type II Diabetes.... Increase in Diabetic Blood Sugars Abstract Diagnosing diabetes is a meticulous process and if nursing students are not familiar with the nuances of laboratory procedures and the accuracy of the measuring instruments, they may be found lacking in professional skills in clinical situations....
4 Pages (1000 words) Research Paper

Type 2 Diabetes Patients Making Informed Choices About Their Dietary Menu

An experiment was tried to determine is patients with type 2 diabetes know how to include sugar or sweets into their daily life and to see if it concludes in a higher consumption rate of calories and if it weaken their glycemic or lipid profiles.... During the last century, the diet for diabetic people has changed drastically, earlier people were indirectly told to basically starve themselves, the later told to omit sugar from their diet.... These cause diabetics to buy special food to replace the sugar, now the diet is to just eat healthy by eating starchy foods and plenty of fruit and vegetables....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study

Dealing with Diabetes

Glucagon is produced when blood sugar is low, and insulin is produced when blood sugar is high.... Glucagon stimulates the liver to release glucose, a form of sugar, thereby increasing your blood sugar.... Insulin, conversely, triggers the fat cells in the body to Diabetes For optimal health, your blood sugar needs to stay within a relatively narrow range of values.... Both chemicals are produced by the pancreas in response to changing blood sugar levels....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Nutrition for Diabetics

diabetes is a condition where blood glucose level is higher.... diabetes is a condition where the patient cannot afford to eat as per the wish.... Glycosylation of tissue proteins due to persistent exposure to high glucose concentrations and the accumulation of larger quantities of sorbitol (a reduced product of glucose) in tissues are believed to be causative in the pathological changes of diabetes.... The concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is taken as an index of protein glycosylation: it reflects the state of glycemia over the preceding 2-3 months ("What is diabetes?...
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Sugar-Free Food and Drinks

The difference between the foods and drinks suitable for the treatment of diabetes and the normal foods is in the fact that these foodstuffs should be low in energy content, consists of carbohydrates that are easily absorbed and have a higher fructose content, than is necessary for the normal foods (Blades, 1993 p6).... They perceive the need for a product, evaluate available information, in this case, such as the pro and cons of sugar-free foods, and their relationship to diabetes and weight loss....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

What is diabetes and treatment

In this paper I want to describe the biological overview of the diabetes, view all main types of the diabetes and characterize all possible treatment option for patients with diabetes.... The reason of diabetes is impaired function of the pancreas as it cannot produce a normal amount of insulin to control.... The most frequent symptoms in patients with diabetes are increased hunger, thirty and urination.... In undiagnosed patients with diabetes that do not receive appropriate treatment, it can provoke serious complications such as stroke, kidney failure and heart disease....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

Pfizer Company

The paper "Pfizer Company" provides a critical analysis of Pfizer's social performance and its impact on stakeholders such as governments of host and home nations, suppliers, customers, employees, and society as a whole, evaluates the Pfizer's Corporate Social Responsibility program.... ... ... ... Lloyd (2010) has also identified the environment security and protection programs that are recently implemented by Pfizer....
5 Pages (1250 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us