Insulin-Dependent,Diabetes,Com health Insulin-Dependent Diabetes

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Common CharacteristicsDiabetes takes two forms: insulin-dependent (juvenile onset) and non-insulin-dependent (maturityonset) diabetes. The former, which usually starts during childhood through young adulthood, ischaracterized by a failure to produce sufficient or any insulin, the hormone needed to regulate thebody's use of glucose or sugar. To control the insulin-dependent form of the disease, diabetics musthave injections of insulin on a regular--daily or more often--basis.Insulin is produced by cells in the islets of Langerhans, which are located throughout the pancreas.In insulin-dependent diabetics, the islets produce little or no insulin. The reasons are not fullyunderstood. Without insulin, or with insufficient insulin, glucose accumulates in the blood. There isnormally some glucose in the blood (about one part in 1,000), but in diabetes the amount risesconsiderably to dangerously high levels, and spills over into the urine.Symptoms and DiagnosisThe most common symptom of diabetes is thirst, accompanied by frequent urination (as often as once anhour). There is often marked weight loss and there also may be repeated infections of the skin, gums orurinary tract, and fatigue, weakness or apathy. Tingling sensations in the hands and feet, cramps inthe legs and blurred vision are further symptoms. the weight loss occurs because fat and muscle are beingburned up to provide energy. In insulin-dependent diabetes, the symptoms usually develop rapidly.Diabetes is usually diagnosed by a simple test in which the glucose level in the blood is measured; ifit is persistently elevated, the patient has the disease.TreatmentAs of yet, there is no cure for diabetes, but the disease can be controlled by insulin injections, dietand a program of physical exercise. The goals of treatment are to relieve the symptoms, reduce the amountof glucose in the blood and urine and lower the risk of complications. For insulin-dependent diabetics,treatment consists of injections of insulin, which may be required as seldom as once a day or as oftenas three times a day. Since insulin is a hormone that is digested if taken orally, it must be administratedby injection. Therefore, it is important to learn to administer the injections yourself. This may seemdifficult at first, but with proper instruction and practice, even a child can soon master injections.Your doctor will tell you where and how to give them.Diet is also important in controlling diabetes. In a typical diabetic regimen, calories (800 to 1,500 daily,depending on the patient's weight) are distributed in small meals taken at regular intervals. Carbohydratesmake up 50 to 60 percent of the total intake, with plenty of fibrous foods such as whole grain breads andcereals, fruits and vegetables. Simple carbohydrates are restricted to 5 to 15 percent of all carbohydratescalories and should come from natural sources such as milk and fruit rather than from candies, cookies and soon. Of the total calories, 30 to 35 percent come from fats and 12 to 20 percent (depending on age and activity)from protein. Key factors are controlling the intake of simple carbohydrates (sugars), eating balanced mealsand maintaining an ideal body weight.It is important to keep rigorously to the prescribed timetable of meals and snacks. The diet is designed tokeep the blood glucose level steady so that each dose of insulin will have approximately the same amount ofglucose to act upon.TestingThe effectiveness of the treatment in keeping blood glucose at an acceptable level must be checked frequently--insome cases, several times a day. You may be asked to test your urine, using specially prepared paper reagent strips.Many doctors now prefer that their patients use the relatively new blood test rather than the urine test tomonitor glucose levels. These self-monitoring kits are now widely available. A small needle or lancet is usedto prick a finger, and a drop of blood is then squeezed onto a chemically treated strip. The strip is then eithercompared to color samples or inserted into a meter to identify the glucose level.StressSurgery, injuries, pregnancy, emotional upsets, any illness (from a cold to a heart attack) and even changes inthe weather cause stress and thus increase the body's demand for insulin. Doctors and dentists should be toldabout your condition before starting treatment, so that they can take proper precautions.ComplicationsIn spite of careful management of the diabetes, complications may occur. One of the most common (and one thatfamily members should know how to treat) is hypoglycemia, a low level of blood glucose. It may result from takingtoo much insulin, failing to keep to the diet or prolonged muscular exertion. The onset of hypoglycemia is usuallygradual, with symptoms that include sweating, nervous irritability and a tingling tongue. There is time to counteractit by taking sugar or some other quick-energy food. Sometimes, however, a patient will become confused and evenaggressive. Occasionally, the onset is sudden and the diabetic slips quickly into unconsciousness. In such cases,glucose should be quickly injected into a vein. Hypoglycemia may be life-threatening, but in most cases the patientwill recover. Because of the possibility of an attack occurring when you are among strangers, you should carry acard explaining your condition and detailing what should be done in an emergency. Wearing a Medic-alert bracelet isan additional safeguard.Another common complication of diabetes is hyperglycemia, which is excessive sugar in the blood. Hyperglycemia comacomes on slowly, over several hours or even days. It occurs when the body uses fat as a substitute for glucose toprovide energy; as a result, acidic compounds (ketones) are formed. Drowsiness, incessant urination and intensethirst are early symptoms.Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is also somewhat more common in diabetics than in others. There alsomay be some loss of sensation in the legs and feet, which can result in unperceived injury to the skin or joints.You should take good care of your feet, wear well-fitting shoes and cut your toenails carefully.The eyes may also be affected by diabetes. Diabetics often suffer repeated bleeding into the retina, leading to theformation of scar tissue. Diabetes also may promote the formation of cataracts. All diabetics should have frequenteye examinations. New treatments, including the use of lasers, are reducing the incidence of blindness resulting fromdiabetes.Summing upOnce the diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes is confirmed, and proper treatment is begun, most diabetics are ableto lead normal, productive lives. Although regular insulin injections and self-discipline are vital in controlling thedisease, diabetes should not be allowed to dominate day-to-day living. Article Tags: Insulin-dependent Diabetes, Glucose Level, Blood Glucose