Diabetes mellitus, often just referred to as diabetes, is a disease that is manifest in high blood sugar levels, whether it is from too little insulin, or a loss of ability of cells to respond to insulin. It is a chronic disease that can be coped with as long as certain things are kept under control. Maintaining sugar levels is an obvious one, but there is also a dependency on exercise, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
If these areas are dealt with effectively, the likelihood of diabetics suffering any complications is diminished. Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of these complications, and is actually a medical emergency, occurring when the usually periodic process of turning the liver into fat, is sustained, resulting in an inflated amount of ketone bodies in the bloodstream. This can cause lethargy, coma and eventually death if it is not treated immediately. If it is responded to quickly, however, it is usually followed by a full recovery.
Very high glucose levels in the blood of a diabetic person causes a hyperglycemia hyperosmolar state. When in this state, the blood draws out water by osmosis from the cells of the body, making the kidneys put glucose into the urine. Left for too long this can cause severe dehydration, so water must be replaced urgently, and medical attention sought.
Hypoglycemia can also occur in which the body has too little glucose in the blood. This can be caused by wrongly timed insulin, too much or badly timed exercise, or not enough food. The symptoms include sweating, feelings of dread, altered or loss of consciousness but it can be relatively easily treated with sugary drinks, food or if necessary intravenous dextrose is used in hospitals.
One problem with diabetes is that it leaves the sufferer with a diminished immune system. This means that they are much more likely to develop things like respiratory diseases, or kidney failure. It's clear that diabetes can lead to some pretty terrible complications, but as long as exercise, food and sugar levels are maintained properly, the risks of some of these things can be abated.
If these areas are dealt with effectively, the likelihood of diabetics suffering any complications is diminished. Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of these complications, and is actually a medical emergency, occurring when the usually periodic process of turning the liver into fat, is sustained, resulting in an inflated amount of ketone bodies in the bloodstream. This can cause lethargy, coma and eventually death if it is not treated immediately. If it is responded to quickly, however, it is usually followed by a full recovery.
Very high glucose levels in the blood of a diabetic person causes a hyperglycemia hyperosmolar state. When in this state, the blood draws out water by osmosis from the cells of the body, making the kidneys put glucose into the urine. Left for too long this can cause severe dehydration, so water must be replaced urgently, and medical attention sought.
Hypoglycemia can also occur in which the body has too little glucose in the blood. This can be caused by wrongly timed insulin, too much or badly timed exercise, or not enough food. The symptoms include sweating, feelings of dread, altered or loss of consciousness but it can be relatively easily treated with sugary drinks, food or if necessary intravenous dextrose is used in hospitals.
One problem with diabetes is that it leaves the sufferer with a diminished immune system. This means that they are much more likely to develop things like respiratory diseases, or kidney failure. It's clear that diabetes can lead to some pretty terrible complications, but as long as exercise, food and sugar levels are maintained properly, the risks of some of these things can be abated.
No comments:
Post a Comment