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Diabetes (Mellitus) – “Hunger in the midst of plenty”

A group of chronic disorders, which are all characterized by increased blood sugar (or a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin secretion and activity)

To the economist or businessperson, it’s simply a matter of supply and demand.

The condition is referred to as “hunger in the midst of plenty” because despite the increase in blood sugar (glucose), the cells of the body are unable to access (“eat”) the glucose to produce energy that they need to function optimally from day to day.

TYPES

• Type 1: Occurs before age 30 and is sudden in onset
• Type 2: Most often occurs after age 30. Individuals are normally obese. Onset is gradual. Current poor life-styles causing an increasing trend among under 30 year-olds
• Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy. In most instances blood sugar normalizes after delivery. Up to 40% of these will later develop Type 2 diabetes later in life
• Other Specific Types: e.g. certain drugs and conditions may cause these

  DIAGNOSIS

  Symptoms plus elevated Fasting (>7.0mmol/L) or Random (>11.1mmol/L) blood glucose on two (2) occasions.

  Sometimes it is only an INCIDENTAL FINDING. This is especially common with Type 2 diabetes.

  Normal Blood Glucose Levels

  1. Fasting: Up to 6.1mmol/L
  2. Random: e.g. 2 hours after a meal. Up to 11.1mmol/L

   

  Pre-Diabetic States

  1. Impaired Fasting Glucose
  2. Impaired Glucose Tolerance

  Warning Signs for Diabetes Include:

  • Passing urine frequently especially at night
  • Hungry most of the time
  • Often feeling very thirsty
  • Tired more often than not
  • Recent loss of weight without any obvious cause
  • Simple sores or cuts that take too long to heal
  • Skin loses luster and seems dry. It may itch as well
  • Numbness and tingling sensation in hands and legs with occasional development of ulcers and sometimes wounds you were not aware of
  • Blurred eyesight or too frequent change of spectacles
  • A stroke
  • Diarrhea of unknown cause
  • Frequent infections (eg boils and candidiasis “whites”)

  If you have ANY of the above symptoms, consult your health provider

  Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

  • Overweight
  • Sedentary
  • > 65 years (start doing routine checks from 40 years even if you are low risk)
  • Family history – some relatives with the condition

   

  What May Happen if We Do Not Control Diabetes

  • Stroke
  • Heart attacks
  • Amputation
  • Blindness
  • Nerve damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Blood vessel problems
  • Notorious foot ulcers
  • Gangrene

  Control is Within our Reach

  If you are diabetic you can lead a long and enjoyable life but you need to:

  • Exercise regularly to:
  • Enhance diabetic control
  • Reduce blood pressure – (read hypertension “the silent killer”)
  • Attain ideal weight
  • Avoid or delay complications
  • Maintain blood sugar within normal range
  • Eat a balanced diet adjusted for weight, age, sex and physical activity. MAKE SURE YOU TALK TO A DIETICIAN
  • DO NOT SMOKE
  • Get your eyes examined yearly by an eye specialist
  • Periodically check for proteins in urine. It signifies preventable diabetic kidney damage
  • If you want to FAST talk to a healthcare professional FIRST
  • Ensure that your blood lipids (“cholesterol”) are within the target range. Discuss with your doctor
  • Take your oral medicines or insulin injections as directed
  • If you can afford it, get a personal glucometer and check your blood sugar often
  • Discuss with your doctor to check your glycated (glycosylated) haemoglobin periodically (every 3 months if facility available). It is a good measure of long-term blood sugar control.

   

  Situations In Which Blood Sugar May Increase (HYPERGLYCAEMIA) In Diabetics

  • When ill/sick
  • Physical and Emotional Stress
  • Not sleeping well
  • Not eating or exercising as you should

    “Eat Sugar Or Die” – (HYPOGLYCAEMIA)
    When blood sugar falls below the normal range

    Common causes:

    • Certain drugs for managing diabetes
    • Insulin
    • Alcohol (it may also cause many other complications. AVOID)

    Other causes:

    • Certain medicines
    • Certain tumors
    • Severe liver disease

    Warning Signs That Blood Sugar Is Low

    • Anxiety/Nervousness
    • Sweating
    • Palpitations
    • Extreme hunger
    • Tremors
    • Lethargy
    • Lack of co-ordination
    • Headache
    • Abnormal vision
    • Confusion / abnormal behaviour

     

    If not corrected immediately may lead to loss of consciousness and then death

    What To Do

    In non hospital setting eat something sweet e.g. toffee, drink orange juice
    ALL DIABETICS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CARRY CANDY AT ALL TIMES

    NOTE:
    For everyone DIAGNOSED of diabetes, there is another UNDIAGNOSED…

    Source: Dr. Kojo Essel
    www.healthclubsgh.com