The battle against diabetes

When you have Diabetes, you will find that your blood glucose level is very high and needs treatment immediately. Diabetes occurs when people have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood; this is usually because of a poor diet and weight. Glucose is what gives us our energy so it is needed, but too much can be dangerous and life changing.

According to The Diabetes Research Institute, worldwide, it afflicts more than 422 million people. Our body releases insulin to help the glucose enter our blood to then enter our cells. If you have diabetes, this system does not work meaning your pancreas no longer sense when glucose has entered your bloodstream and has not released the right amount of insulin. Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition that comes in two forms:

Type 1 –  When you have this form, it means that your body can’t make any insulin at all. People with Type 1 diabetes are given insulin regularly to maintain their levels. The amount of insulin prescribed is based on food intake, exercise, stress, emotions and general health.

Type 2 – When you have this form, your body either can’t produce enough insulin or it doesn’t work effectively. According to NHS, this is far more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2. Although your body may not effectively produce insulin, suffers will not be dependent on insulin. Instead, treatment will focus on their diet and exercise.

The Affect on Your Body…

After having diabetes for a long period of time, it can start to have an effect on your body. Those who continue to have high glucose levels in their blood may experience damage to their:

• Heart- diabetes doubles your risk of heart disease and stroke
• Eyes (diabetic eye disease, cataract, glaucoma and retinal damage)
• Kidneys — the ability to filter waste products from your blood
• Reproductive system — if you are pregnant and develop gestational diabetes you are at risk of high blood pressure. It is important for women that are pregnant to keep an eye out for preeclampsia and eclampsia
• Circulation — diabetes are at risk of developing high blood pressure which puts a further strain on your heart.

If your pancreas produces little or no insulin, even when your body can’t use it, alternate hormones are used to turn fat into energy. This can be dangerous for your body as it meant that high levels of toxic chemicals are now in your body. These can include:

• Acids
• Ketone Bodies — which can leads to a condition known as Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Controlling the Disease

As soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes, you should take steps to educate yourself about the disease and find out what you can do to control it.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to start eating healthier and increase your levels of exercise. Additionally, diabetics should be carrying out regular blood tests to ensure that their glucose levels are staying balanced and are not accelerating.

According to Healthy Line, foods to consider are:

• Fatty Fish such as Salmon, Sardine and Mackerel are great sources of Omega-3
• Greens — these are low in carbs meaning your blood sugar levels will stay low. Vegetables such as Spinach and Kale contain several types of vitamins and minerals
• Eggs — regular egg consumption can reduce your heart disease risk in

If you take care and start controlling your diabetes, you will find that you will have more energy, be less tired and thirsty, have fewer skin or bladder infections and will generally heal better. The better you control your blood sugar levels, the less likely you are to develop serious conditions, most importantly in the early stages of your diagnosis.