Top Health Risks of Diabetes
Table of Contents:
- What is Diabetes
- History of Diabetes
- Timeline of Diabetes
- Types of Diabetes
- Serious health injuries caused by long term Diabetes
Diabetes became an extremely serious problem today. This is
the top most important health risk factor accepted by all medical
professionals.
According to a report in 2019, more than 37 million of
people are directly affected by Diabetes, which is nearly 11.3% of the
population. Diabetes is the ninth major cause of deaths. Diabetes kills about
1.5 million people every year.
It has no age limit. People of any age can be affected by
diabetes.
We will discuss here the top health risks that can result
from uncontrolled Diabetes.
What is Diabetes:
Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) disease that occurs when
the Pancreas is unable to produce insulin or when the body is unable to
properly use the insulin produced by the pancreas.
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Insulin:
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that acts as a
key to allowing glucose from the food we eat to pass from the bloodstream into
cells in the body to generate energy.
Diabetes is the main
cause of-
- Stroke
- kidney failure
- heart attack
- Blindness
- infection in feet.
A healthy diet,
regular physical activity, maintaining a normal weight, and avoiding the use of
tobacco are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 Diabetes.
History:
Diabetes, often called Diabetes mellitus because the urine of
a Diabetes patient tastes “Sweet”!
Interesting! Right?
Diabetes means “Siphon” and mellitus means “Sweet”.
Ancient physicians test this sweetness, either taste urine by
their tongue (!) or observe urine if urine is attracted by the ants. This
continues until the process of measuring sugar from blood is invented.
Timeline:
|
Year |
Discovery |
|
1550 B. C. E |
Egyptian physicians noticed an unknown phenomenon in human body that
causes frequent urination, thrust, weight loss and weakness. They also
noticed that ants are gathered around the urine of these patients. |
|
150 C. E |
Greek scientists named that mysterious decease as “Diabetes” |
|
1800 |
Scientists discovered a process to measure sugar in urine. |
|
1913 |
“Ivar Bang” discovered a process to determine glucose from blood. |
|
1921 |
A breakthrough in medical science took place. Scientists discovered a
hormone named insulin. |
|
1970 |
The modern process of checking blood sugar has developed |
|
1975 |
insulin became bio technically synthesized. Scientists discovered a bacterium which can reproduce exactly the same insulin that our body produce. This process called protein synthesis through biotechnology.
This is what we inject into our body nowadays. |
Diabetes Types:
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Type-1:
It may happen if there’s family history
Usually seen in both adults and children
In this case, body can’t make enough insulin because beta
cells of “pancreas” has damaged somehow.
Need to take insulin regularly.
Symptoms:
- Severe hunger and thrust
- Dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
Type-2:
Very much common, about 90% patient are Type-2 Diabetes
affected.
It can be occurred due to family history/ genetics
Can be prevented and controlled by healthy diet plan and
regular exercise.
Type-3:
Called Gestational Diabetes, during Pregnancy.
Strong chance to be converted to type-2 Diabetes later in
life.
Serious health injuries caused by long term Diabetes:
Uncontrolled Diabetes is a silent killer. A big number of
people not aware of high level of Diabetes.
Let’s discuss the effect of hyperglycemia (high level of Diabetes).
- Diabetic Retinopathy:
If high sugar remains for few months continuously, it will
affect human eyes. Initially, the patient will experience light blur vision.
Gradually this situation will get worst and may end up with blindness.
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Symptoms:
- Gradual decrease of eyesight
- Blurred vision
- Sudden blindness
- Seeing floating shapes in vision
- Pain in eyes
Prevention:
- Control blood sugar
- Control blood pressure
- Maintain a healthy food plan
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Diabetic Neuropathy:
High level of Diabetes can severely damage the nervous
system. It may lead to a brain stroke. Besides, wounds and injuries will not
recover faster than before due to damaged nervous system. Even the wounds can
be so worst that they need to be cut off by surgeon.
Symptoms:
- Reduced feelings of touch sensitivity
- Burning skin
- Pains and cramps
- Small infections can be grown big
Prevention:
- Control blood sugar
- Control blood pressure
- Consult the doctor when seen something usual on skin
- Maintain a healthy food plan
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Diabetic Feet:
Reduced blood circulation to arm and legs, denoted as Peripheral
vascular disease (PVD)
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Symptoms:
- infections in feet and nails
- blisters with blood filling
- dry and cracked feet skin
- color change of the feet
- pain in lower part of feet etc.
Prevention:
- Control blood sugar
- Control blood pressure
- Take care of your feet
- Don’t let your feet dried up
- Wear Soft, comfortable rubber shoes that fit your feet.
- Diabetic Nephropathy:
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) gradually trigger’s kidney
damage. It’s a very common phenomena for those who don’t control their Diabetes.
It may introduce other complication like bladder infection, nerve damage,
inflammation etc.
Serum Creatinine:
The most important factor of determining kidney health is
measuring S. Creatinine. Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the
muscles of the body. We all have s. creatinine in our bloodstream.
The measurement of s. creatinine is mg/dL. Normal range is-
For adult men: 0.7 to 1.4 mg/dL
For adult women: 0.6 to 1.04 mg/dL
Symptoms:
- Protein in urine
- Less appetite
- Swelling of leg, hand, face etc.
- Water filled the legs
- Uncontrolled blood pressure
- Fatigue and vomiting
- Itching and dry skin
Prevention:
- Control blood sugar
- Control blood pressure
- Must avoid Junk foods and Soft drinks
- Proper exercise
- Drink appropriate amount of water suggested by your doctor.
At this stage, let's pay tribute to those animals who gave their lives for Scientific Experiments.
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