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-Diabetes Facts -Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes Gestational Diabetes Juvenile Diabetes Diabetes Insipidus Diabetes Symptoms Glucose
Diabetes Diet Diabetes Supply Diabetes Treatment Insulin Diabetes Care Diabetes is the No. 6 leading causes of deaths in the United States, according to 2001 data from the United States National Center for Health Statistics. |
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Alternative names Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; Juvenile onset diabetes; Diabetes - Type 1 Definition Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas produces too little insulin to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Diabetes is a life-long disease for which there is not yet a cure. There are several forms of diabetes, including:
For all types of diabetes, the metabolism of carbohydrates (including sugars
such as glucose), proteins, and fats is altered. Without adequate insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of
going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy despite
high levels in the bloodstream, leading to increased hunger. In addition, the
high levels of glucose in the blood causes the patient to urinate more, which in
turn causes excessive thirst. Within 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, the
insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed, and no
more insulin is produced. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 3% of all new cases of diabetes each year. There is 1 new case per every 7,000 children per year. New cases are less common among adults older than 20. Symptoms
Signs and tests The following tests can be used to diagnose diabetes:
Treatment At diagnosis, the immediate goals of treatment are to treat diabetic ketoacidosis (also called DKA) and high blood glucose levels. Because of the sudden onset and severity of symptoms in type 1 diabetes, treatment for newly diagnosed people may involve hospitalization. The long-term goals of treatment are to prolong life, reduce symptoms, and prevent diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs. These goals are accomplished through education, insulin use, meal planning and weight control, exercise, foot care, and careful self-testing of blood glucose levels. INSULIN Insulin lowers blood sugar by allowing it to leave the blood stream and enter cells. Everyone needs insulin. People with type I diabetes can't make their own insulin, and they must take insulin every day. Insulin is injected under the skin using a syringe, or in some cases, an infusion pump delivers the insulin continuously. It is not available in an oral form. Insulin preparations differ in how fast they start to work and how long they last. The health care professional reviews blood glucose levels to determine the appropriate type of insulin the person should use. More than one type of insulin may be mixed together in an injection to achieve the best control of blood glucose. The injections are needed, in general, from 1 to 4 times a day. People are taught how to give insulin injections by their health care provider or a diabetes nurse educator. Initially, a child's injections may be given by a parent or other adult. By age 14, most children can be expected (but should not be required) to give their own injections. DIET Meal planning for type 1 diabetes requires consistency to allow food and insulin to work together to regulate blood glucose levels. If meals and insulin are out of balance, extreme variations in blood glucose can occur. The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association has information for planning healthy, balanced meals. Consultation with a registered dietitian or nutrition counselor is an invaluable tool for meal planning and dietary control for diabetics. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Regular exercise is especially important for the person with diabetes, as it helps control the amount of sugar in the blood and helps burn excess calories and fat to achieve optimal weight. Before people with diabetes begin any exercise program, they should obtain medical approval. Type 1 diabetics must take special precautions before, during and after participation in intense physical activity or exercise. SELF-TESTING Blood glucose monitoring is done by checking the glucose content of a small drop of blood. The testing is done on a regular basis and will inform the person with diabetes how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control diabetes. The results can be used to adjust meals, activity, or medications to keep blood-sugar levels within an appropriate range. It will provide valuable information for the health care provider to suggest changes to improve care and treatment. Testing will identify high and low blood-sugar levels before serious problems develop. FOOT CARE People with diabetes are prone to foot problems because of complications related to the illness. Diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels and nerves, which can result in a decreased ability to sense trauma or pressure on the foot. A foot injury could go unnoticed until severe infection develops. Additionally, diabetes alters the bodies immune system, decreasing the body's ability to fight infection. Small infections can rapidly progress to death of the skin and other tissues, necessitating amputation of the affected limb. To prevent injury to the feet, diabetics should adopt a daily foot care routine. TREATING LOW BLOOD SUGAR Low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, can occur in diabetics when they use
too much insulin, exercise too much, or have not eaten enough food. Hypoglycemia
can develop quickly in people with diabetes. Symptoms of low blood sugar
typically appear when the sugar level falls below 70. Watch for weakness,
shaking, sweating, headache, nervousness, and hunger. AFTER the symptoms subside, more substantial food can be eaten. Eat simple
sugar FIRST to get the situation under control. Even if you or your child is
hungry, "real" food should not be eaten until the sugar level comes up - real
food won't produce enough sugar and takes too long to digest. You should have some glucagon stored for emergencies. Make sure everyone in your home, as well as babysitters and caregivers, knows how to use it. Periodically remind everyone how to use it, and check the expiration date. Don't panic. Glucagon works very fast -- usually within 15 minutes. While you are waiting for the person to revive, keep him on his side to prevent choking. If the person is not better in 15 minutes, call 911. TREATING HIGH KETONES When there is not enough insulin to move glucose into cells, glucose can build up in the blood. The body then looks for other forms of energy and uses fat as a fuel source. As fats are broken down, acids called ketones build up in the blood and urine. In high levels, ketones are poisonous to body tissue. This condition is known as ketoacidosis. You can check for ketones using a simple urine test available at pharmacies. This test should be performed every 4-6 hours anytime a person with diabetes is registering blood sugar above 240; sick; unusually thirsty or has a dry mouth; urinating frequently; or vomited The warning signs that ketoacidosis is getting serious might include flushed face, dry skin and mouth, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, deep, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, call the doctor or go to the emergency room right away. If left untreated, this condition will lead to coma and even death. MONITORING
EDUCATION You are the most important person in managing your diabetes. Diabetes education is a crucial part of the treatment plan. Diabetes education basically involves learning how to live with your diabetes. Knowledge of disease management is imperative to avoid developing short-term complications such as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and to delay or slow the onset of long-term complications of the disease such as diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) or nephropathy (kidney disease). You should be knowledgeable about the basic principles of diabetes management. Basic "survival skills" include:
Expectations (prognosis) The outcome for people with diabetes varies. Recent studies show that tight control of blood glucose can prevent or delay the progression of eye disease, kidney disease and nervous system disease that is caused by diabetes. However, complications may occur even when good diabetes control is achieved with insulin and diet. Complications EMERGENCY COMPLICATIONS:
LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS:
People who have had diabetes for several years are likely to develop long-term complications, which can be minimized but not entirely eliminated by proper diabetic management:
Calling your health care provider Medical follow-up for a person newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes should probably occur weekly until good control of blood glucose is achieved. The health care provider will want to review results of home glucose monitoring and urine testing, and a diary of meals, snacks, and insulin injections. As the disease becomes more stable, follow-up visits will be less frequent.
Periodic evaluation is very important for the evaluation of long-term
complications associated with diabetes.
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of severe hypoglycemia or insulin reaction are present:
Early signs of hypoglycemia may be treated at home by eating sugar or candy or injecting glucagon. If the signs of hypoglycemia are not relieved by the above action or if blood glucose levels remain below 60 mg/dL go to the emergency room. (from the National Institute of Health)
Note: This diabetes
health education project is supported
by Chong's Health Care at http://www.cljhealth.com, one of the leading companies in the discovery of
alternative
medicines for diabetes.
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