Symptoms And Diabetes Control Care

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often not easy to recognize and many people live with it for a long time before becoming aware that they are diabetes sufferers.

Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin dependant diabetes, diabetes mellitus and / or juvenile diabetes. It is a chronic, i.e. lifelong, disease that accounts for approximately ten per cent of total diabetes cases in Europe and North America. It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately.

Type 1 diabetes can affect both adults and children but is frequently called juvenile diabetes because it represents the majority of the childhood cases of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Symptom

Without an adequate supply of insulin glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used by the cells. The body is unable to use this excess glucose for energy despite the high levels in the bloodstream which can lead to an increase in both hunger and fatigue. Another type 1 diabetes symptom is frequent urination, which in turn will lead to excessive thirst.

It can take some years, but eventually the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed by the body's own immune system. Once no more insulin is being produced it needs to be supplied from another source, often insulin injections, in order to help the body function properly.

Other specific type 1 diabetes symptoms are:

* weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
* blurred vision
* nausea and vomiting
* abdominal pain
* fatigue
* absence of menstruation in women

Diagnostic approach

* urinalysis shows glucose and ketone bodies in the urine
* fasting glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher
* random (non fasting) blood glucose level exceeding 200 mg/dL (should be confirmed with a fasting glucose test)
* insulin test
* C-peptide test – low or undetectable levels of the protein C-peptide, a by-product of insulin production.

Treatment and care

Occasionally a newly diagnosed diabetes patient may require hospitalization to initially regulate insulin levels. However, since diabetes is a chronic disease the emphasis will be on managing both the short and long term diabetes-related problems. Patient education plays an important role in the ongoing management and dietary changes are almost always necessary together with self glucose monitoring and long term glycemic control.

A long term goal is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke as diabetes sufferers tend to be at higher risk. Lifestyle changes are often required to manage this risk. Increased exercise, stopping smoking and an appropriate diet are all required. These changes can allow a sufferer to take control of their disease rather than allowing the diabetes to take control of them.

Control Of Diabetes Through Different Treatments

There are three different types of diabetes and each requires different treatment. Diabetes is not curable, it is a life long disease that can however be kept under control with proper care. Type 1 diabetes care – this type of diabetes is also known as insulin dependant diabetes; it often starts in childhood or before the age of 20. This type of diabetes occurs when one’s immune system gradually attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

These are the typical symptoms of Type 1 diabetes: frequent urination excessive thirst unexplained weight loss unexplained hunger blurred vision numbness of lower limbs or tangling sensation tiredness and fatigue dry itchy skin sores that are slow to heal nausea, vomiting and stomach aches

People with Type 1 diabetes must use insulin daily failing which, can lead to glucose fluctuation in the blood stream and that can turn into an emergency situation at times. Proper monitoring of the blood sugar levels can alleviate the fear of having to be faced with such an emergency. The control of the sugar level can now be done right in your home with a specialized easy to use machine.

Type 2 diabetes care – in this case of diabetes the body fails to use properly insulin which is needed to take and use sugar from the blood cells, thus, causing high blood sugar.

Treating type 2 diabetes often needs planning your meals carefully in order not to raise blood sugar in the blood; when this step is not enough you will need to take specific medicines to bring down the blood sugar. In due time diabetes can cause severe side effects such as:

kidney failure – which can be treated only by kidney transplant Heart attack Amputation of limbs Blindness

The main way to take control of your diabetes is to educate yourself and learn how to efficiently keep down the blood sugar levels in your body. This requires perseverance on one’s part especially if you are taking care of a minor. Constant checking of your blood sugar level, often 4-5 times a day will help you take charge and not have to deal with an emergency situation.