DECEMBER 29, 2014 BY SOLAADE AYO-ADERELE
If you’ve ever had a conversation with someone who is diabetic, you would be surprised that what is commonly described as “sugar in the urine” could wreak as much havoc in the body of its victims.
Diabetologist/Medical Director of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki Phase 1, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, describes diabetes as a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
“Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time, leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels,” she says.
Globally, the number of people suffering from this debilitating disease is mind-boggling. According to the World Health Organisation, 347 million people worldwide have diabetes; while in 2012 alone, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by it.
Worse still, the WHO notes, more than 80 per cent of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria; while it also projects that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death by the year 2030 — that’s a mere 16 years down the line!
“The burden of diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in developing countries. The causes are complex, but the increase is in large part due to rapid increases in overweight, including obesity and physical inactivity,” the WHO warns.
Physicians mince no word in saying that healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Common consequences of diabetes
Unless a miracle happens, to be diabetic is to be sentenced to a lifetime of medication, pain and all sorts of concerns that are geared towards maintaining whatever is left of one’s health!
Isiavwe warns that over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
She adds, “Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.” This is in tandem with the WHO, which says 50 per cent of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
Experts say alongside reduced blood flow, nerve damage (neuropathy) in the feet increases the chance of foot ulcers, infection and eventual need for limb amputation.
Diabetes can lead to blindness if not managed under competent medical guidance. Says Isiavwe, “Diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of long-term accumulated damage to the small blood vessels in the retina.”
The WHO adds that one per cent of global blindness can be attributed to diabetes.
Moreover, a person suffering from diabetes may, one day, suffer kidney failure, the WHO enthuses; saying, “Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure.”
Finally, scientists agree that the overall risk of dying among people with diabetes is at least double the risk of their peers without diabetes.
Know the symptoms
The first rule of warfare is, “Know the enemy.” It is very important to know the symptoms of diabetes, so that before it eats you up, you would have received medical help and tame it.
What are the symptoms? These ones…
If you’re exhibiting any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor and make an appointment to have your blood glucose levels checked.
Increased thirst and urination: As glucose levels in the blood rise, the kidneys attempt to filter it from your blood. When there is too much glucose in the blood the kidneys eventually can’t keep up, the excess glucose is excreted into your urine along with fluids from your body. This causes more frequent urination as your body attempts to expel the glucose. You become chronically dehydrated and the urge to drink more becomes increased.
Increased hunger: Your body needs to utilise insulin to pull glucose into your cells. When you have a lack of insulin, or are insulin resistant, your body can’t store the glucose in your cells. Cells need glucose for energy. Because you aren’t storing the glucose, your body doesn’t have the energy it needs. This translates to increased hunger as the body attempts to increase calories for energy.
Weakness and fatigue: Along the same lines as increased hunger, weakness and fatigue are a result of the body’s inability to properly utilise energy (glucose). Without being able to pull glucose into the cells, the body doesn’t have the proper amount of energy to function optimally. This results in fatigue and weakness.
Unexpected weight loss: What happens when the body is excreting excess glucose when you eat? It’s not storing it as energy for later. The body excretes the glucose in urine and decreases the amount of calories that are being absorbed into the cells. This means you end up losing weight as a result, since you can’t compensate in calories for what is lost.
Tingling or numbness: Tingling or numbness, otherwise known as diabetic neuropathy, is damage to nerves that arises as a complication of high blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are elevated, it interferes with signals transmitted by nerves. In addition, the walls of small blood vessels are weakened, effectively cutting off blood supply to nerves. This usually happens in the outermost extremities, starting with the feet.
Blurred vision: Another area that is extremely sensitive to the effects of high blood glucose are the eyes. The lens of the eye can swell and change shape, causing your vision to suddenly become blurry.
Sores that heal slowly: In one study by the University of Warwick, researchers found that receptors that recognise infection become ‘blind’ when glucose levels rise in the blood. The high glucose effectively inhibits the normal working process of the immune system. This slows the work of white blood cells and, essentially, the normal healing process.
Frequent infections: Similar to the slow healing, frequent infections are another symptom brought about by the increase blood glucose levels. A slowed immune response can lead you to an increased likelihood of frequent infections, and worse infections than a person with stable or normal blood glucose levels.
Dry, itchy, or scaly skin: Your body is made up of anywhere from 50-78 per cent water. Due to the frequent urination and perpetual state of thirst, just about everything is going to dry out. That includes your skin. Dry, itchy or scaly skin is a common symptom of diabetes, as your kidneys excrete more water out of your tissues.
Source: diabetescare.net
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