THE SWEET KILLER -BY MayaSalmat Salisu Musah (2012)

THE SWEET KILLER-DIABETES

The first described cases are believed to be of type 1 diabetes. Indian physicians around the same time identified the disease and classified it as madhumeha or "honey urine", noting the urine would attract ants. The term "diabetes" or "to pass through" was first used in 230 BCE by the Greek Apollonius of Memphis. The disease was considered rare during the time of the empire, this is possibly due the diet and life-style of the ancient people, or because the clinical symptoms were observed during the advanced stage of the disease. The disease was named "diarrhea of the urine" (diarrhea ruinous). The earliest surviving work with a detailed reference to diabetes is that of Aretaeus of Cappadocia. He hypothesized a correlation of diabetes with other diseases and he discussed differential diagnosis from the snakebite which also provokes excessive thirst. His work remained unknown in the West until the middle of the 16th century when, in 1552, the first Latin edition was published in Venice. Globally, as of 2010, an estimated 227 to 285 million people had diabetes, with type 2 making up about 90% of the cases. This is equal to 3.3% of the population with equal rates in both women and men. In 2011 it resulted in 1.4 million deaths worldwide making it the 8th leading cause of death. This is an increase from 1 million deaths in 2000. Its rate has increased, and by 2030, this number is estimated to almost double. Diabetes mellitus occurs throughout the world, but is more common (especially type 2) in more developed countries. The greatest increase in rates is, however, expected to occur in Asia and Africa, where most people with diabetes will probably be found by 2030.

                                                   

DEFINITION

Diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or because cells of the body do not respond properly to the insulin that is produced. There are three main types of diabetes mellitus this high blood sugar produces the symptoms of frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. Untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications include diabetic ketoacidosis. Serious long-term complications include heart disease, kidney failure, and damage to the eyes.

3 COMMON TYPES OF DIABETES

TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

This is a type of diabetes, which could be referred as an autoimmune disease, occurs when body’s own immune system destroys the insulin producing cells [beta cells] leading to insulin deficiency Type 1 diabetes can affect children and adults, but was traditionally termed "juvenile diabetes" because a majority of these diabetes cases were in children. Still, this type of diabetes can be accompanied by irregular and unpredictable hyperglycemia, frequently with ketosis, and sometimes with serious hypoglycemia. Other complications include an impaired counter regulatory response to hypoglycemia, infection, gastro paresis (which leads to erratic absorption of dietary carbohydrates), These phenomena are believed to occur no more frequently than in 1% to 2% of persons with type 1 diabetes.

    Type 1 diabetes is partly inherited, with multiple genes, including certain HLA genotypes, known to influence the risk of diabetes. In genetically susceptible people, the onset of diabetes can be triggered by one or more environmental factors, such as a viral infection or diet. There is some evidence that suggests an association between type 1 diabetes and Coxsackie B4 virus. Unlike type 2 diabetes, the onset of type 1 diabetes is unrelated to lifestyle.

 TYPE 2   DIABETES.   

                                                                         

It results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes also with an absolute insulin deficiency. This form was previously referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes" Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance, which may be combined with relatively reduced insulin secretion. The defective responsiveness of body tissues to insulin is believed to involve the insulin receptor. However, the specific defects are not known. Diabetes mellitus cases due to a known defect are classified separately. This diabetes is the most common type

This diabetes is due primarily to lifestyle factors and genetics. A number of lifestyle factors are known to be important to the development of type 2 diabetes, including obesity (defined by a body mass index of greater than thirty), lack of physical activity, poor diet, stress, and urbanization. Excess body fat is associated with 30% of cases in those of Chinese and Japanese descent, 60-80% of cases in those of European and African descent, and 100% of Pima Indians and Pacific Islanders. Those who are not obese often have a high waist–hip ratio. Dietary factors also influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

 Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

This type of diabetes occurs when pregnant women without a previous diagnosis of diabetes develop a high blood glucose level. ". Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) resembles type 2 diabetes in several respects, involving a combination of relatively inadequate insulin secretion and responsiveness. It occurs in about 2–5% of all pregnancies and may improve or disappear after delivery. Gestational diabetes is fully treatable, but requires careful medical supervision throughout the pregnancy. About 20–50% of affected women develop type 2 diabetes later in life Though it may be transient, untreated gestational diabetes can damage the health of the fetus or mother. Risks to the baby include macrosomia (high birth weight), congenital cardiac and central nervous system anomalies, and skeletal muscle malformations. Increased fetal insulin may inhibit fetal surfactant production and cause respiratory distress syndrome. Hyperbilirubinemia may result from red blood cell destruction. In severe cases, perinatal death may occur, most commonly as a result of poor placental perfusion due to vascular impairment. Labor induction may be indicated with decreased placental function. A Caesarean section may be performed if there is marked fetal distress or an increased risk of injury associated with macrosomia, such as shoulder dystocia

RISK FACTOR

·         Overweight

·         Hereditary/family history of the disease

·         Ethnicity

·         Inactivity

·          having high density lipoprotein

·         Environmental factors[exposure to viral infection]

·         Destruction of beta cells

·         Dietary factors

·         Race

·         Geography

·         Age

·         Gestational diabetes

·         Polycystic syndrome in women

·         High blood pressure

·         Abnormal cholesterol level

SYMPTOMS

·        Frequent urination especially at night

·         Slow healing wounds\

·         Increase thirst

·         Extreme tiredness

·         Unexplained weight loss

·         Regular episodes of thrush

·         Blurred vision

·         Lack of interest and concentration

·         Frequent infection

·         Vomiting and stomach pain often explained as flu

DIAGNOSIS

Blood tests are mainly used to diagnose diabetes. The test for the diagnosis of diabetes includes;

·         Alc test or glycohaemoglobin test

·         Fasting plasma glucose test

·         OGTT [oral glucose test]

·         Radom plasma glucose test etc.

Note; not all test are recommended for diagnosing all types of diabetes

Treatment

·         Treatment for diabetic patients includes; eating healthy balanced diet, loss weight if you are over weighted.

·         Do some physical activities regularly. If your blood sugar remains high despite a trail of these life style measures, then  tablets and injections can be taken to reduce blood glucose level such as: metformin ,sulfonylurea, repaglinide  ,insulin injection e.t.c

TIPS AND STEPS ON HOW TO PREVENT DIABETES

1.      Get more physical activity as many benefits can result from this;

Lose weight

Lower your blood sugar

Boost your sensitivity to insulin

Research has shown that both aerobic and resistance training can help control diabetes

2.      Eating plenty of fiber e.g. fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds etc.

·         eating enough fiber may help you reduce risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar level

·         lower your risk of heart diseases

 3.      Lose extra weight

Weight lose can improve your health, and decrease your diabetes risk

 4.      Regular glucose test is advanced

5.      Skip fat foods and excess carbohydrates

6.      Avoid excess sugar/sweet food intakes.

 By:  MayaSalmat Salisu musah (Maya positive)

FB ID: Maya Salisu OR Maya Salmah

EMAIL:Salmatmaya@gmail.com,Salmat_salisu@yahoo.com

PHONE NO: 08155509092, 08037498259.