Background
- Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin, thus increasing the glucose (sugar) level in the blood.
- Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body.
Types of Diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes: Mostly occurs in children and young adults. In this type of diabetes the beta cells present in the pancreas stop making insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common type of diabetes. The muscle, liver, and fat cells of the body cannot use insulin properly in initial stages. In later stages, the pancreas loses the ability to secrete enough insulin.
- Gestational diabetes: Diabetes develops during the last phase of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, but sometimes the woman may develop type-2 diabetes later in life.
Causes There are a number of factors which may lead to the development of diabetes. These may include: - Heredity: Those with a family history of diabetes are more prone to develop diabetes.
- Obesity: Excessive body weight and obesity hampers the functioning of insulin by making the muscles and tissues in the body resistant to insulin.
- Age: The chance of developing diabetes increases with age. People who are 45 or older are more prone to developing diabetes.
- Stress: Stress and a sedentary lifestyle are often capable of altering blood sugar levels.
- Smoking
- Viral infection: Certain viruses infect the pancreas upsetting the production of insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Symptoms Although there are many symptoms of diabetes, some of the most common may include: - Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Blurry vision
Diagnosis A diagnosis of diabetes is made through the following tests: - FPG Test: Fasting Plasma Glucose test is used to measure the blood glucose after at least 8 hours of fasting. This test detects diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- OGTT: Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is used to measure the blood glucose after 8 hours of fasting and 2 hours after taking a glucose drink. It is used in detecting diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Random Plasma Glucose test: This test is used to measure blood glucose without regard to the time of last meal.
Conventional Treatment People with diabetes can stay healthy if they can control their blood sugar. Two kinds of diabetic management devices as well as medications are used in controlling diabetes. Glucose Meters There are various types of glucose meters. These include: - Portable glucose meters
- Alternative site testing glucose meters
- Minimally Invasive and Non-Invasive Glucose Meters
- MiniMed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
- Cygnus GlucoWatch Biographer (wrist watch type)
Other Diabetes Management Tests - Glycosylated Hemoglobin
- Glycosylated Serum Proteins
- Urine Glucose
- Urine and Blood Ketones
- Microalbumin
- Cholesterol
Medications - Sulfonylurea drugs
- Meglitinides
- Biguanides
- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
- Thiazolidinediones
- Drug combinations such as Glucovance
Surgery - Pancreas transplantation or Islet cells transplantation
Integrative, Complementary and Alternative Treatment Some diabetic people prefer using integrative therapies. Some of these therapies include: - Acupuncture: Acupuncture triggers the release of natural painkillers in the body which offers relief from chronic pain in the nerves damaged due to diabetes.
- Berberine: It is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal component, known to be beneficial for people with type-2 diabetes.
- Biofeedback (Guided Imagery): This therapy emphasizes relaxation and stress-reduction techniques. Peaceful mental images practiced in guided imagery helps in controlling or curing diabetes.
- Chromium: Chromium supplementation help in improving diabetes control.
- Ginseng: These plants have some glucose-lowering effects in blood glucose levels.
- Magnesium: Higher dietary intakes of magnesium decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Vanadium: It is an element found in tiny amounts in plants and animals which can increase insulin sensitivity.
- Prevention
- Weight loss, through better eating habits and regular exercise, reduces the risk of diabetes by improving the ability of the body to use insulin.
- Behavior modification in the form of more active lifestyle, quitting smoking, and reducing stress, reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.
- Metformin can reduce the risk of developing diabetes in men and women within the age group of 25 to 44.
- There is good scientific evidence that beta-glucan, chromium, ginseng, gymnema, and stevia is helpful in the treatment of diabetes.
References http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DA99999 http://nccam.nih.gov/health/diabetes.htm http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/alternativetherapies/ Copyright 2008, rVeda, Inc. |
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