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DIABETES |
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BASIC INFORMATION |
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DESCRIPTION |
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Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is not
able to control the amount of glucose (a form of sugar) in the blood. Glucose is
needed by the body to produce energy, but too much glucose leads to serious problems.
Glucose levels are normally controlled by the hormone insulin, which is produced
in the pancreas. With diabetes,there is either not enough insulin produced or the
body is unable to use the insulin that is produced. There are two main types of
diabetes, type1 and type 2. Type 2 is also called non-insulin dependent diabetes
and is the most common type (about ninety percent to ninety-five percent of people
with diabetes). It often affects people over age 40. Type 1 diabetes is also called
insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes. About 5% to 10% of people with
diabetes have type 1. It can develop at any age, but often occurs in children, teenagers,
or young adults.
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FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS |
- Many people don't know they have diabetes.
There may be no symptoms or symptoms develop gradually.
- Fatigue and excess thirst.
- General ill feeling, increased appetite,
weight loss, and frequent urination.
- Irritability.
- Slow healing of cuts and bruises.
- Blurred vision.
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction).
- Increased risk of infections, such as urinary-tract
infections and yeast infections of the skin, mouth, or vagina.
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PREDIABETES |
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Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have
"prediabetes"—blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high
enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
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CAUSES |
- In type 1 diabetes, little or no insulin
is made by the pancreas. It is one of a group of autoimmune disorders. In these
disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body itself. Why
this occurs is unknown. Other possible factors include a viral infection or an injury to the pancreas.
- In type 2 the pancreas may produce enough
insulin, but, for unknown reasons, the body is unable to use it effectively (insulin
resistance).several years, insulin production decreases and glucose
builds up in the blood.
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Picture: Is a model of what happens in the body of a Type 2 Diabetic |
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RISK INCREASES WITH |
- Family history of diabetes
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
- Overweight, especially with fat around the
abdomen.
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol.
- Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity).
- Metabolic syndrome (a set of conditions).
- African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic
Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans.
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PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
- Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.
- Control weight (lose weight if you are overweight).
Exercise regularly. Eat a healthy diet. Control high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
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EXPECTED OUTCOMES |
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There is no cure. Symptoms and progress of the disease can be
controlled with a treatment program |
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POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS |
- Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel)
disease, such as stroke, atherosclerosis, and coronary-artery disease.
- Kidney damage.
- Blindness.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy).
- Peripheral vascular disease, with gangrene
in legs and feet, and sexual impotence in men.
- Life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) if too much insulin is used.
- Life-threatening ketoacidosis (very high
blood sugar) with breakdown of body cells.
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DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT |
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GENERAL MEASURES |
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Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions
about your symptoms. Tests include glucose blood and urine studies. A glucose tolerance
test may be done. Follow-up includes hemoglobin A1C test. It shows the blood glucose
levels for the past three months. |
- Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin,
exercise, and diet. Because of the risk of heart disease, controlling cholesterol
levels is also important. A diabetes educator can help you learn
to manage your diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle
changes (exercise and diet) and drug therapy, if needed. A diabetes educator can
help you learn to manage your diabetes.
- Learn all you can about diabetes. Learn
the techniques of self-monitoring of blood sugar and monitor regularly. Learn the
signs and symptoms of high and low blood glucose levels and
what to do. Keep glucose tablets handy for treating low blood sugar, if needed.
- Get regular foot care by a foot care provider
(e.g., podiatrist) and regular eye checkups.
- Stop smoking. Find a way to quit that works
for you.
- Wear a medical alert-type bracelet or neck
tag to indicate you have diabetes and the drugs you take.
- Get medical care for any infection.
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MEDICATIONS |
- One or more types of oral antidiabetic drugs
may be prescribed. Your health care provider will discuss the options, the benefits,
and the risks with you.Insulin may be prescribed if oral drugs are
not effective.
- Insulin (by injection or insulin pump) will
be prescribed. Instructions will be provided. Dosage depends on the individual and
sometimes needs adjustment.
- Aspirin, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and
drugs for high blood pressure may be prescribed.
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ACTIVITY |
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A healthy diet is part of treatment. Don't skip meals. A dietitian
can help you with meal plans. |
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NOTIFY YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF |
- You or a family member has symptoms of diabetes.
- After diagnosis, any symptoms cause you
concern or problems occur with glucose control.
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Disclaimer: Content
from: Moore, Griffith's Instructions for Patients. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved. The contents are for informational purposes only and it is not intended
to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your
physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding
a medical condition. Wapmed does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians,
products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned here. |