Wednesday, March 13, 2024

What Will Diabetes Do To Your Body

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Can Diabetes Kill You

How Diabetes Affects Your Body

Yes, its possible that if diabetes remains undiagnosed and uncontrolled it can cause devastating harm to your body. Diabetes can cause heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and coma. These complications can lead to your death. Cardiovascular disease in particular is the leading cause of death in adults with diabetes.

How Do I Check My Blood Glucose Level Why Is This Important

Checking your blood glucose level is important because the results help guide decisions about what to eat, your physical activity and any needed medication and insulin adjustments or additions.

The most common way to check your blood glucose level is with a blood glucose meter. With this test, you prick the side of your finger, apply the drop of blood to a test strip, insert the strip into the meter and the meter will show your glucose level at that moment in time. Your healthcare provider will tell you how often youll need to check your glucose level.

Can Complications Be Reversed

Prevention is essential, as the damage from diabetes may not be reversed and complications may be permanent or fatal. However, there is limited research on if the body can heal and reverse the damage.

In 2015, researchers in Japan took a kidney biopsy from a kidney transplant between a patient with diabetes and one without, and it showed some degree of healing. The result from a 2011 study found that a patient who received a pancreas transplant showed healing in the pancreas, although the healing wasnt immediate and didnt take place until 10 years later.

However, cases of reversed diabetic complications, besides in kidney or pancreas transplants, have only been recorded informally.

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What Are The First Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes

Many people with type 2 diabetes do not experience any symptoms at first and it may go undiagnosed for years. If they do have symptoms, these may include:

  • being very thirsty
  • having cuts that heal slowly

Over time, diabetes can lead to complications, which can then cause other symptoms.

Blood glucose testing is important for detecting pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes before complications arise.

Diabetes And Healthy Eating

Reversing Diabetes 2 Naturally

If you have diabetes its important to include a wide variety of nutritious and healthy foods in your diet, and to avoid snacking on sugary foods.

Enjoy a variety of foods from each food group be sure to include foods high in fibre and low in fat and reduce your salt intake. Its helpful to consult with a dietitian to review your current eating plan and provide a guide about food choices and food quantities.

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What Is High Blood Sugar

The is the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a sugar that comes from the foods we eat, and it’s also formed and stored inside the body. It’s the main source of energy for the cells of our body, and it’s carried to each cell through the bloodstream.

Hyperglycemia is the medical word for high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels happen when the body either can’t make insulin or can’t respond to insulin properly . The body needs insulin so glucose in the blood can enter the cells of the body where it can be used for energy. In people who have developed diabetes, glucose builds up in the blood, resulting in hyperglycemia.

Having too much sugar in the blood for long periods of time can cause serious health problems if it’s not treated. Hyperglycemia can damage the vessels that supply blood to vital organs, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems. These problems don’t usually show up in kids or teens who have had the disease for only a few years. But they can happen in adulthood in some people with diabetes, particularly if they haven’t managed or controlled their diabetes well.

Blood sugar levels are considered high when they’re above your target range. Your diabetes health care team will let you know what your target blood sugar levels are.

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Type 1 Vs Type 2 Diabetes: Whats The Difference

Type 2 diabetes is not the same as Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesnt make any insulin. In Type 2, your pancreas doesnt make enough insulin, and the insulin it is making doesnt always work as it should. Both types are forms of diabetes mellitus, meaning they lead to hyperglycemia .

Type 2 diabetes usually affects older adults, though its becoming more common in children. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but people of any age can get it.

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Ph Balance 101 For Diabetics

Regardless of the type of diabetes you have been diagnosed with you can take very positive steps to significantly improve your health and get Phit.

You can limit the effects of diabetes by understanding how the food you eat affects your health.

Were not just talking about the glucose levels in your food, we are talking about how foods you eat affect the pH levels in your body.

What does pH mean?

The designation pH refers to the amount of alkaline or acidic levels of a solution. The pH scale ranges from 1 14. Levels 1- 6 means that substance will be acidic and levels 8 14 means that the substance will be alkaline.

Level 7 is neutral which means that it is neither acidic or alkaline.

The ideal pH level in the human body is 7.4.

Our blood pH has a very narrow range in which you maintain good health and this is in the range of a blood pH level of 7.35 7.45.

and just as our body has an ideal temperature of 98.6, which you dont want to deviate from, the same holds true for our body pH levels. In this article, well only be covering the effects on the diabetic body when they are acidic .

Although the body metabolizes the food you consume and does its best to internally adjust the pH levels, it can only do so much to maintain a healthy pH level.

The biggest factor that does affect out pH levels on a much larger scale is the food you eat!

This is largely due to our Western diet and lack of nutrients in our food.

Can Fish Oil Help Maintain Muscle

What Is Type 2 Diabetes? | WebMD

Evidence shows that consuming fish oil changes the type of fat in human muscle and might protect against muscle loss related to inactivity, which can lead to the development of diabetes symptoms, such as increased blood sugar .

With funding from Diabetes Canada, Queens University researcher Chris McGlory and McMaster University researcher Stuart Phillips demonstrated that consuming five grams of fish oil per day protected young women against the loss of muscle mass and muscle size during two weeks of leg immobilization, such as after knee or ankle surgery.

This protection against muscle loss was associated with an improvement in the way oxygen is used by the mitochondria . Whether the same effect occurs in older women and men is a question that McGlory and Phillips are trying to answer.

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How Common Is Untreated Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , nearly 25% of people with diabetes in the United States were not aware that they had the condition.

Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, is too high . Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat.

Your body produces a hormone called insulin that helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. However, sometimes your body doesnt make enoughor anyinsulin or doesnt use insulin well. As a result, the glucose you consumed stays in your blood and doesnt reach your cells.

High blood sugar level in the bloodstream can damage various body systems, leading to a wide array of health issues, like heart disease and foot problems. But with the correct treatment and lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of these complications.

Why Is Alzheimers Disease Called Type 3 Diabetes

Type 3 diabetes is a term that has been proposed to describe the connection between Alzheimers and diabetes. A variant of a gene, APOE4, that has been associated with Alzheimers disease seems to interfere with brain cells ability to use insulin, which may eventually cause the cells to starve and die.

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Type 2 Diabetes Can Be A ‘devastating Diagnosis’ Says Expert

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Type 2 diabetes means your body cannot process insulin properly or the insulin it does produce is not being taken up by the cells. The primary role of insulin is to regulate blood sugar – the main type of sugar found in blood. Stripped of insulin, blood sugar levels can rise to a “dangerously” high level, warns Bupa.

How Are High Blood Sugar Levels Treated

The Surprising Ways Diabetes Affects Your Health

Treating high blood sugar levels involves fixing what caused them in the first place. Your diabetes health care team will give you specific advice on how to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. But here are some ways to manage the common causes of high blood sugar levels:

Reason for High Blood Sugar Level What to Do
Not getting enough insulin or other diabetes medicine
  • Make sure that you take the proper type of insulin and the correct dose at the right time.
  • Check that insulin is not expired.
  • Make sure that all equipment is working properly.
  • Diabetes medicines may need to be changed or adjusted check with your diabetes health care team.
Not following the meal plan
  • Work with a registered dietitian to make adjustments to your meal plan as needed.
  • Adjust insulin/pills when you eat more or less than recommended on your meal plan .
Not getting enough exercise
  • Figure out a plan to make time for exercise.
  • Adjust your medicines based on the diabetes health care team’s instructions.
Illness or stress
  • Contact your diabetes health care team.
  • Continue to take insulin .
  • Check your blood sugar levels frequently.
Use of other medicines that can increase blood sugar
  • Contact your diabetes health care team if you start taking any other medicine.
  • Your insulin or pills may need to be adjusted while you take the medicine that’s causing high blood sugar levels.
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What Should A Type 2 Diabetes Meal Plan Include

Ask your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to recommend a meal plan thats right for you. In general, a Type 2 diabetes meal plans should include:

  • Lean proteins: Proteins low in saturated fats include chicken, eggs and seafood. Plant-based proteins include tofu, nuts and beans.
  • Minimally processed carbohydrates: Refined carbs like white bread, pasta and potatoes can cause your blood sugar to increase quickly. Choose carbs that cause a more gradual blood sugar increase such as whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice and whole-grain pasta.
  • No added salt: Too much sodium, or salt, can increase your blood pressure. Lower your sodium by avoiding processed foods like those that come in cans or packages. Choose salt-free spices and use healthy oils instead of salad dressing.
  • No added sugars: Avoid sugary foods and drinks, such as pies, cakes and soda. Choose water or unsweetened tea to drink.
  • Non-starchy vegetables: These vegetables are lower in carbohydrates, so they dont cause blood sugar spikes. Examples include broccoli, carrots and cauliflower.

Brain And Nervous System

When you have diabetes, your cells must work harder to use glucose. That may tire your muscles and leave you feeling spent.

Studies tie diabetes to proteins in your brain that are linked to dementia. Because of narrowed, hardened arteries, your chances of stroke are also higher. Your brain needs sugar to do its job. Repeated bouts of low blood sugar can damage the brain.

Nerve damage happens to almost everyone with diabetes. Some parts of your body may go numb or have other problems. All organs, including your heart, rely on healthy nerves. Pain in your feet and legs is a common sign that something isnt right.

You may not notice small cuts or sores at first. Those small injuries can grow into big wounds.

Since diabetes affects your blood flow and immune system, a small sore may not get what it needs to heal. In severe cases, doctors may need to amputate a foot or other affected areas.

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What Does It Mean If Test Results Show I Have Protein In My Urine

This means your kidneys are allowing protein to be filtered through and now appear in your urine. This condition is called proteinuria. The continued presence of protein in your urine is a sign of kidney damage.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Theres much you can do to prevent the development of diabetes . However, if you or your child or adolescent develop symptoms of diabetes, see your healthcare provider. The earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the sooner steps can be taken to treat and control it. The better you are able to control your blood sugar level, the more likely you are to live a long, healthy life.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/28/2021.

References

Take Control Of Your Diabetes

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Body

Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range reduces all of the complications from diabetes.

It is important to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range.

You should learn these basic steps for managing diabetes and staying as healthy as possible. Steps may include:

  • A healthy diet
  • Physical activity
  • Medicines

You may need to check your blood sugar daily or more often. Your health care provider will also help you by ordering blood tests and other tests. All these may help you keep complications of diabetes away.

You will need to check your blood sugar level at home.

  • You will use a special device called a glucose meter to test your blood sugar. Your provider will let you know if you need to check it every day and how many times each day.
  • Your provider will also tell you what blood sugar numbers you are trying to achieve. This is called managing your blood sugar. These goals will be set for different times during the day.

To prevent heart disease and stroke, you may be asked to take medicine and change your diet and activity:

To keep your feet healthy, you should:

  • Check and care for your feet every day.
  • Get a foot exam by your provider at least every 6 to 12 months and learn whether you have nerve damage.
  • Make sure you are wearing the right kinds of socks and shoes.

A nurse or dietitian will teach you about good food choices to lower your blood sugar and stay healthy. Make sure you know how to put together a balanced meal with protein and fiber.

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What Should I Expect If I Have Been Diagnosed With Diabetes

If you have diabetes, the most important thing you can do is keep your blood glucose level within the target range recommended by your healthcare provider. In general, these targets are:

  • Before a meal: between 80 and 130 mg/dL.
  • About two hours after the start of a meal: less than 180 mg/dL.

You will need to closely follow a treatment plan, which will likely include following a customized diet plan, exercising 30 minutes five times a week, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Always take your medications and insulin as instructed by your provider.

Treatment For Low Blood Glucose

If you have type 2 diabetes that’s controlled using insulin or certain types of tablets , you may experience episodes of hypoglycaemia.

Hypoglycaemia is where your blood glucose levels become very low.

Mild hypoglycaemia can make you feel shaky, weak and hungry, but it can usually be controlled by eating or drinking something sugary.

If you have a hypo, you should initially have a form of carbohydrate that will act quickly, such as a sugary drink or glucose tablets.

This should be followed by a longer-acting carbohydrate, such as a cereal bar, sandwich or piece of fruit.

In most cases, these measures will be enough to raise your blood glucose level to normal. You should aim for a hypo to be treated and to recheck your blood glucose level within 15 minutes.

If blood glucose still less than 4mmol/l then repeat the treatment using a fast acting carbohydrate. When your blood glucose returns to normal then have your longer acting carbohydrate.

If you develop severe hypoglycaemia, you may become drowsy and confused, and you may even lose consciousness.

If this occurs, you may need to have an injection of glucagon into your muscle or glucose into a vein. Glucagon is a hormone that quickly increases your blood glucose levels.

You may require input from a health care professional. If the glucagon is not successful, you may require an injection of dextrose into your vein.

Your diabetes care team can advise you on how to avoid a hypo and what to do if you have one.

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