Agape Life

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common form of diabetes. It’s caused by a deficiency of the pancreatic hormone insulin. When this hormone is deficient, it results in failure to metabolize (bodies ability to break down) sugars and starch. When this happens there is an accumulation of sugar/starch in the blood and urine. Further, the byproducts of alternative fat metabolism disturb the acid-base balance of the blood, which increases risk of convulsions and coma. Long termimbalance, or uncontrolled diabetes, can lead to many disturbances and pathology in the body such as: silent heart attacks, immunopathy (immune system decrease), angiopathy (circulation issues), neuropathy (nerve problems) and much more. Diabetics have an increased risk of limb loss “amputation,” become ill more often, have greater risk of infection, and much more when not controlled.

 

So what does it mean to break down sugars? Normally, our bodies break down the sugar and carbohydrates we eat into a special sugar we call glucose. Glucose(like gaseline in a car) fuels the billions of cells in our body. Now that we understand what glucose does, what does insulin do? Insulin is a hormone. Before I explain insulin, let me explain that a hormone is a regulatory substance in an organism who’s function is to “stimulate cells or tissue” into action.

 

Now, insulin, a hormone is needed in your blood stream that allows the cells to take in the glucose and use it for energy.

 

Diabetes mellitus is a condition that will exist in one of the following ways: either your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce. Sometimes it will be a combination of both scenarios. 

 

If the cells can’t take in the glucose, it begins to build up in the blood stream (aka hyperuricemia). Hyperuricemia for prolonged periods can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes(blindness, lower & upper extremies(leading to amputation), kidneys(leading to dialysis),nervous system. That is why diabetes, uncontrolled or untreated can eventually cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and foot problems. It is said uncontrolled diabetes goes hand in hand with foot problems.

Type 1 diabetes is a called insulin dependent diabetes. It was once called juvenile-onset diabets, basically because it often starts in childhood. This type of diabetes is an auto-immune condition, caused by atacking it’s own pancreas with antibodies. Antibodies are blood proteins naturally occurring as part of immune system to attack by combining with any antigen (toxin) anything foriegn to the body(bacteria,viruses and other foreign substances).

 

When antigens are present, a healthy person’s immune system response is to produce antibodies.

 

Overall a damaged pancreas doesn’t make insulin. 

 

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of  diabetes  in which there are high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood stream. Unlike individuals with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetics can make insulin. However, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the body cannot  use the  effectively. This is called insulin resistance. Recap: without insulin or inability to use insulin, the glucose(sugar/energy/fuel) can’t get into the body’s cells. Therefore, the glucose builds up in the blood stream. Now the cells can’t function properly. Does a car run well without gas? I mentioned many of the ill effects of hyperuricemia before, but another common trait of diabetes is frequency in urination which leads to dehydration.

 

Anyone can get type 2 diabetes, but those at highest risk are those that are or with:

obesity over weight,over 45y.o, had gestational diabetes, family history of DM2, don’t exercise, low HDL cholesterol or high triglyceride, high blood pressure, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.

 

What do I do if I have diabetes?

1. Find a doctor that specializes in diabetes(endocrinologist).

2. Find a good foot specialist.

3. Mind set change to be have hope and positivity.

4. Be steadfast and discipline with new diet and exercise program.

5. Become a student to learn as much as possible about diabetes. 

 

Seek and you shall find!

 

References:

Web MD

P.I. Manual2nd edition

Bible