"The Sugar That You Eat, The Sugar That Makes You Sick"-The Flight Of A DiabeticT

Diabetes. Insulin. Glucose. Carbohydrates. Sugars. Glycemic Index (GI). Glycemic Load (GL). Pancreas. This is an interview with George (not his real name), a diabetic patient, George is over sixty years old, a retired teacher three years ago.His left leg was amputated due to diabetes. But what did really happen and this is his story: when asked, do you know what is diabetes, No, not until I was diagnosed in 1997. What happened, I was taking my graduate program when one morning, woke up with a severe headache and an unusual vomiting. Since the pain is exasperating, I decided to see a doctor and was given a medication to ease the pain and advise to have my blood tested and come back with the results of the laboratory test. After several days, I came back with the laboratory results, based on the results, the doctor informed me that I am diabetic, issued prescription drug for me to take for several days and come back again for another checkup. I was shocked, I can't believe, I'm healthy.

Well anyway.I feel better with the medicine and didn't come back again. I regretted it very much, George said. George is one of the many victims of diabetes that refused to believe that this debilitating disease kills. I think the change in the environment did that, when I was doing my graduate program I ate too much as pressured probably by academic works. Too many carbohydrates, soft drinks, and sweets, I gained weight, 82 kilograms for 5'4'' height. The doctor at the clinic told me that I am overweight and advice to cut down on my carbs, sweets, and soft drinks again I did not take it seriously. After taking my medicines, three times a day some hypoglycemic agents, I feel good again. Then five years ago, the malady came back but this time more intense, my weight dropped to 60 plus kilograms from 80 plus kgs before. The doctor changed my medications to newer drugs at least six tablets a day, but it did not do good, George said. The probability that George did not comply with doctor's advice is a major factor in the return of the malady.

Still both require the same balance of nutrients to stay healthy. — Readers Digest From medical point of view- What is diabetes anyway, Greek word for Honey) to "Diabetes" in order to distinguish it from Diabetes insipidus. According to World Health Organization, Diabetes is currently a common and serious health concern globally. The problem is further aggravated by rapid cultural and social dynamics, aging population, increasing urbanization, dietary changes, reduced physical activity and another unhealthy lifestyle and behavioral patterns. Check your insulin now ! Insulin is a polypeptide hormone synthesized in humans and other mammals within the beta cells of the pancreas in the islet of Langerhans. The basic physiological function of Insulin is promoting the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (eg. Insulin is the major hormone that enable cells (primarily muscle and fat cells) to uptake glucose from the blood stream for use as fuels, for conversion to other needed molecules, or for storage.

As the malady progresses, tissue or vascular damages ensue leading to severe diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular complications and ulcerations. Circa,1500 BC-Ebers Papyrus, first written reference to diabetes by ancient Egyptian physician. Second Century AD-Arataeus of Cappadocia, first to distinguished between what we call Diabetes mellitus and Diabetes insipidus. That a normal person need at least 2,000 calories/day, Not more than 20 grams of saturated fats and 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams of sodium, Type 2 Diabetes. Previously called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(NDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes account for 90 to 95 percent of all cases of diabetes. Risk factors are as follows; Old age, Obesity, Family history of diabetes, Previous history of gestational diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance, Physical inactivity, and Racial ethnicity. Type 3 Diabetes. Gestational Diabetes. Developers 2 to 5 percent of all pregnancy but normally disappear when pregnancy is over. Risk factor occurs frequently with a family history of diabetes.

There are three important types of Diabetes namely. Type1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and Type 3-Gestational Diabetes. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent diabetes.For example, regular soda, fruit punch, fruit drinks, sports drink and other sugary drinks. This will raise blood glucose and can provide several hundreds of calories in just one serving. For instance, just one regular can of soda has about 150 calories and 40 grams of carbohydrates. This is the same amount of carbohydrate in 10 teaspoons of sugars! Moreover, don't forget that the same sugar that you're trying to evade is the same sugar that will make you sick! Lack of sugar (HYPOGLYCEMIA) or low blood glucose can make you shaky, weak, confused, irritable, hungry or tired, You may sweat a lot or get a headache. If you have these symptoms, check your blood glucose. After 15 minutes check your blood glucose again. If it is still below 70 have another serving. WARNING: lack of sugar may lead to coma or death, seek medical attention immediately.