Diabetes - Causes, Complications & Prevention

Having diabetes means your body can't use the energy from the
food you eat. When you eat, your body breaks down almost all
food into sugar. When everything in the body is working right, the sugar goes into the blood and blood sugar levels start to go up.
The body notices that blood sugars are rising and sends a signal to the pancreas to make insulin. Insulin unlocks the body's cells and
lets the sugar move from the blood into the cells. The cells can
then use the sugar for energy.

Type 1 Diabetes

In type I diabetes, the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Insulin-producing cells do not regenerate, and once destroyed, are never replaced. When enough insulin-producing cells are destroyed, the pancreas produces
very little insulin and insulin supplementation is required. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and was previously known as juvenile diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, there are two possible culprits. The first is insulin resistance, a condition in which your cells can't use insulin efficiently. The second is insulin deficiency: Your pancreas makes insulin, but it's not enough for your body's needs.

Symptoms

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment
can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Some diabetes symptoms include:

Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Blurry vision

Complications

Whether type 1 or type 2, when diabetes is untreated, sugars (glucose) begin to accumulate in the blood and can sometimes reach very high levels. Having high blood sugars (hyperglycemia) over time can lead to retinal damage, kidney damage, nerve damage, and heart disease.

Other diabetes complications affecting the eye are glaucoma and cataracts. Diabetics
are 40% more likely to suffer from glaucoma and are 60% more likely to develop cataracts. Diabetics tend to get cataracts at a younger age and the cataracts often
progress more rapidly.

Prevention

Diet and Exercise - Because your body converts
just about everything you eat into sugar, nutrition
is an extremely important part of taking care of your diabetes. Watching what you eat doesn't necessarily mean giving up favorite foods. The real key to eating
sensibly with diabetes is remembering that everything counts and "smaller is better" when it comes to
portion sizes.

The Diabetes Prevention Program study showed that

people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity. They may even be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range. While the study also
showed that some medications may delay the development of diabetes, diet and exercise worked better. Just 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, coupled with a
5-10% reductionin body weight, produced a 58% reduction in diabetes.

Pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in
their diet and increasing their level of physical activity. They may even be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range. While the study also showed that some medications may delay the development of diabetes, diet and exercise worked better. Just 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, coupled with a 5-10% reduction
in body weight, produced a 58% reduction in diabetes.

Some Healthy-Eating Tips:

Grab a healthy snack before attending parties or special occasions. This will help you avoid overeating later, says the American Diabetic Association (ADA).
Go light on the alcohol and heavy on the water.
Keep food portions under control. It's fine to eat some of what you crave, just not too much of it.
Make healthy choices. According to the ADA, one slice of pecan pie has the same calories as two slices of apple pie. You make the call.
Keep in mind that turkey has fewer calories per ounce than ham, and that white meat is lower in fat than dark. The ADA suggests trying pork loin roast or seafood, both low in fat.
Make mashed potatoes with water, skim milk, olive oil and garlic or, better yet, substitute with a baked potato.
When cooking, use substitutes like chicken broth and skim milk instead of butter, egg whites instead of whole eggs, or non-fat yogurt instead of mayonnaise, say specialists at the Outpatient Diabetes and Weight Management programs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Reduce stress, which can raise blood sugar, by getting tasks done early and by exercising regularly. Raking the leaves or shoveling the sidewalk are good bets
when you're not likely to make it to the gym.
All fats are not the same. Some kinds of fat, such as butter and shortening, can increase your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Other fats, such as olive oil and canola oil, can help protect your heart by lowering cholesterol levels.

In Conclusion

The Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health underscores the important role of physical activity in disease prevention. It recommends that individuals accumulate 30 min of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. The benefit of exercise in type 2 diabetes is greatest when implemented early in the progression of the disease.

If you are diabetic, you are at greater risk for eye problems. In addition to following the recommendations of your physician, see your eye doctor at least once a year for a comprehensive eye examination. Always consult your eye doctor immediately whenever you have concerns or notice any changes in your vision. Eye examinations are especially important for those who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or already diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy.

Sources:
1. American Diabetes Association
2. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention

Vision & Health Newsletter courtesy of:

Dr. Philip Smith & Associates
1855 1st Ave #100 San Diego, CA 92101 619-297-4331