Team members

Names / Roles:

• [SEAN](leader)
• [FARAH](editor)
• [PERWIRA](rresearcher) 
• [JEVON](researcher)

 

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Meaning / Definition

 

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar levels is too high. Someone with diabetes is either producing too little insulin or is unable to respond well to the insulin produced. Insulin is a hormone that helps to control the blood glucose level. 

 

In Singapore, one out of 9 people aged 18 to 69 has diabetes. That’s about 11.3% of our population or more than 400,000 people!

 

Diabetes is a chronic disease and, if not managed well, can deteriorate steadily to cause devastating complications such as blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, heart disease and limb amputation. Studies show that about half of patients already have diabetes-related complications at the time of diagnosis.

 

These video further illustrates diabetes.

 

 

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Causes and Effects

 

Causes of diabetes can be classified into 2 major types.

 

• Type 1 diabetes  
• This is the less common type of diabetes
• Usually occurs in young persons below the age of 35. 
• Causes: body unable to produce insulin.
• Effects:  Without insulin, the body cannot use or store the glucose that comes from food and this causes the blood sugars to become very high.  Instead, the body uses fat as a source of fuel giving rise to acute complications of diabetes.

 

• Type 2 diabetes (adult-onset or non-insulin requiring) 

• This is much more common type of diabetes

• Usually occurs in in persons who are overweight and have high blood pressure. There are often other family members who also have the disease.

• Causes: The cells and tissues of the body are unable to respond to the insulin produced by the pancreas. They have "insulin resistance." 

• Effects: This causes glucose to build up in the body instead of moving into the cells. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems that may damage the blood vessels, nerves, heart, eyes and kidneys. 

 

 

Effects on daily lives of a diabetic patient

 

Type 1: Must take insulin injection for life.

 

Type 2:  Begins to require insulin medication. However, in earlier phases, the illness can be effectively managed with diet, exercise, and careful monitoring of blood sugars. Some people with Type 2 diabetes may require a variety of oral medications and eventually some will eventually need insulin. 

 

 

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Signs and Symptoms

 

There are several symptoms that you may experience if you have diabetes.

 
Symptoms of diabetic 

 

Symptoms of diabetes vary from person to person. The early stages of diabetes have very few symptoms, so you may not know you have the disease. But damage may already be happening to your eyes, your kidneys and your cardiovascular system even before you notice symptoms. Common symptoms include the following:

• Extreme hunger
• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Blurry vision
• Slow-healing wounds, sores or bruises
• Dry, itchy skin
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Frequent or recurring skin, gum, bladder or vaginal yeast infections

 

 

People who have type 2 diabetes may also show signs of insulin resistance, such as darkening skin around the neck or in the armpits, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, yeast infections and skipped or absent periods in teen girls and women.

 

 

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Prevention and Treatment

 

 

Prevention

To prevent having diabetes, keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. The following are some tips:

 

• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Avoid foods that are high in fat, cholesterol, salt and added sugar.
• Maintain a healthy weight. 
• Keep your blood pressure at a healthy level (below 130/80 mm Hg).
• Maintain a healthy cholesterol level (under 200 mg).
• Be physically active on a regular basis.
• Quit smoking. 
• Have an eye exam every year to check your vision.
• See your dentist twice a year to check your teeth and gums. 
• Manage your stress.
• See your doctor regularly, even when you feel fine. Your doctor will check for early signs of complications.
• Call your doctor right away if you have any of the signs and symptoms.

 

 

Treatment

 

For patient who has diabetes, the longer the body is exposed to high blood sugar levels, the greater the risk that problems will occur. That’s why treatment is important at any age to control blood sugar levels.

 

 

a) Diabetic Diet

 

• A diabetic diet is simply a healthy eating plan that is high in nutrients, low in fat and added sugar, and moderate in calories. The only difference is that you need to pay more attention to some of your food choices—most notably the carbohydrates you eat. Picture illustrates some of the food to avoid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

b) Exercise

• Regular exercise is an important part of diabetes control and should be part of your daily routine.
• Helps insulin to work better and lower your blood glucose.
• Lowers the blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Strengthens the heart and improves blood circulation.
• Reduces body fat and control body weight.

 

 

 

 

c) Insulin Injections 

• Variation between and within patients may occur *depending upon injection site and technique, insulin dosage, diet and exercise. 

 

d) Monitoring of Blood Glucose Level

• Good blood sugar level control today does not mean that the blood glucose control will be good for the rest of your life without any change in treatment hence constant monitoring is required.

 

• There are 2 ways to monitor the adequacy of your blood glucose control

 

1. Regular visits to your doctor 

At least once in 3 months and more often if your diabetes is not well controlled. Your doctor can check your blood sugar.

 

2. Home blood glucose monitoring

A person with diabetes cannot always be in the care of a doctor or nurse every hour and every day. This is especially if the person is independent, active and has to work. Therefore learning to test blood sugar levels by him/her self is essential.

 

 

 

Below video shows natural treatments for Diabetes.

 

 

 

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Link to Other Illnesses or Diseases

 

The longer you have diabetes — and the less controlled your blood sugar — the higher the risk of complications. Eventually, diabetes complications may be disabling or even life-threatening. 

 

Untreated diabetes causes blood sugar levels to rise. This can lead to a number of serious problems, including:

 

• Cardiovascular disease.  chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke and narrowing of arteries.
• Nerve damage . Excess sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish your nerves, especially in your legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. 
• Kidney damage. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Eye damage. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness. 
• Foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various foot complications. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can develop serious infections, which often heal poorly. These infections may ultimately require toe, foot or leg amputation.

 

 

More video links of diabetes :-

https://youtu.be/rxG4t2wZ60s

 

 

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References

 

SingHealth(https://www.singhealth.com.sg/)

MedlinePlus(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetes.html)

FamilyDoctor(http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/diabetes.printerview.all.html)

Damnyou!diabetes(http://Damnyoudiabetes.com)

Helpguide(http://www.helpguide.org/articles/diet-weight-loss/diabetes-diet-and-food-tips.htm)