Do You Really Know?

So, you have diabetes. Take a minute and think about whether or not you REALLY know what diabetes is. The true definition, not what someone has told you. Most people would say, “oh, that’s the sugar disease.” or “That’s when you have too much sugar in the blood.” These simple definitions are true but there is so much more to diabetes than that.

There is a world of information out there about diabetes. Some of it is so technical that many have trouble understanding it. Much of it is useful knowledge and knowledge is POWER.

The formal definition of diabetes (or diabetes mellitus) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. WOW…what a mouth full.

As a nurse, I find this information useful because I am able to think about the who, what, where, when and why. So, lets make this a little more understandable. A person with diabetes either:

1. does not make enough insulin

2. Cannot use insulin properly

3. or both

Because of that, glucose stays in the bloodstream instead of moving into the cells (of which you have millions in your body) to be used for energy. From here we can go into the types of diabetes and their differences.

1. Type 1 Diabetes-the pancreas (an organ in our body) produces little or no insulin

2. Type 2 Diabetes-The body becomes resistant (the cells can’t utilize the insulin available) to insulin and eventually may not produce enough.

3. Gestational Diabetes-Diabetes that develops during pregnancy.

WHO

Common factors that predispose someone to diabetes includes:

1. Family history of diabetes

2. Excess abdominal/body fat

3. Physical inactivity

4. Aging

5. High blood pressure

6. High triglycerides or low HDL cholesterol

7. History of gestational diabetes

8. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

9. Chronic stress and poor sleep

10. Certain ethnic/genetic backgrounds

11. Long-term use of some medications such as steroids

WHAT

Some people inherit a tendency toward diabetes, and lifestyle or health conditions that can trigger it over time. Before diabetes develops, many people go through PREDIABETES. That means that blood sugar is higher than normal, but not yet in the diabetic range.

WHERE

Where can you feel diabetes in your body?

1. Increased thirst (constantly being thirsty no matter how much you drink)

2. Dry mouth (feeling dehydrated)

3. Frequent urination (which is why you are so thirsty)

4. Fatigue or unusual tiredness (exhausted even after sleeping or trouble concentrating)

5. Blurred vision

6. Increased hunger” (yet feeling “heavy” or sluggish after meals)

7. Slow healing cuts or infections

8. Tingling or a burning sensation (especially in the feet)

9. Recurrent yeast infections

10. Darkened skin folds around the neck or armpits

11. Unexplained weight loss (more common in Type 1)

WHEN

These things happen when glucose is building up in the bloodstream instead of entering the cells effectively for energy.

WHY

Why do you feel these things happening? Because high blood sugar causes intense dehydration to the entire body due to the fact that your body can’t process it correctly.

The classic “three P’s” of diabetes are:

*Polyuria-frequent urination

*Polydipsia-excessive thirst

*Polyphagia-excessive hunger

These symptoms can be subtle at first and many will simply ignore them. Diabetes is usually diagnosed after complications begin. (such as the ones mentioned above)

As I previously stated, knowledge is power. Right now, you have read and hopefully understood what is happening inside the body of a person with diabetes. The power comes from absorbing this knowledge and using it to make a difference in your life and the life of a loved one.

Diabetes does not care if you are male or female, young or old, a loving parent, grandparent or a single person on their own. It is insidious (harmful in a way that is gradual and not easily noticed) until it is too late. If you deny it, ignore it, pray it goes away or resist it (as many do) saying that it will not destroy you…you will regret it not only for yourself but for the ones who will be taking care of you as this disease progresses to the point where you can’t take care of yourself or will be left behind and saddened after you die.

Harsh…yes. Did you need to read this? Absolutely! But are you going to do anything about it? Only you can answer that question. Talk to your doctor, get the bloodwork done, educate yourself and if you still need assistance, I am here. I can help if you want to be helped.

God created me to help others. Nursing gave me the education, but caring for people made me the nurse I am today. If you choose, I would be honored to use that experience and compassion to care for you.

Galatians 5:13 says “Serve one another humbly in love.”