Diabetic feet need extra care. Even small foot problems can become serious for people with diabetes. Always check with your doctor before treating a foot issue at home.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder typified by abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood. Usually, after a meal, food is broken down as a result of metabolism, releasing the glucose into the bloodstream. This triggers the pancreas to release insulin as a means of getting the sugar out of the blood and into the cells which need it. Insulin is a hormone which enables fat and muscle cells in the body to use more glucose, and triggers the liver to store the excess glucose. This is a process of normalizing the sugar levels in the body.
The blood sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes are constantly high. There are three main reasons for this: the insulin that is being produced is ineffective; the pancreas is not producing insulin in sufficient levels; or there is no production of insulin at all. The two most common forms of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder, while Type 2 is triggered by obesity and diets high in refined sugar. Type 1 diabetes is seen in 5 percent of patients worldwide, while Type 2 is by far the most common form of diabetes, seen in 95 percent of diabetics. There are other forms of diabetes that are very rare; these include gestational diabetes, and one that is inherited as a result of a genetic mutation.
Let us examine the two most common forms of diabetes in greater detail.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as “juvenile diabetes” due to the age bracket of its young victims. The disease usually occurs before the age of 30 in most cases. The onset of this type of diabetes is sudden and unexpected. In most cases, the disease is the result of a single gene mutation. Hence, it is a hereditary disorder that may appear even in a healthy individual. In a healthy pancreas, islet cells produce the vital hormone known as insulin. The function of this hormone is to transport glucose from the bloodstream into various muscle and fat cells in the body. While sugar acts as a fuel for the body, excessive amounts can cause damage to cells. In the case of Type 1 diabetes, the immune system begins to destroy the cells responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas. As a result, the insulin supply begins to dwindle drastically, preventing other cells of the body from taking up and using glucose. This leads to the accumulation of sugar in the bloodstream. This leads to the loss of sugar through the kidneys, carrying a lot of water along with it. This is the reason why Type 1 diabetics experience a frequent urge to urinate, and constantly feel weak and hungry.
Thus it is highly recommended that Type 1 sufferers should constantly hydrate themselves by drinking plenty of water.
The accumulation of excess glucose in the blood is called hyperglycemia. It leads to serious health complications because of the damage inflicted on healthy cells by the excess buildup of sugar in the bloodstream. Among these, the most common are damage to the kidneys, nerves, and the retinas of the eyes.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult-onset diabetes as this form of the disease usually occurs later in life. Researchers have identified some of the risk factors that make a person susceptible to this disorder. These include: a history of diabetes in the family; obesity; sedentary lifestyles; high consumption of refined sugars and processed foods; and heart disease.
Compared to Type 1 diabetes, this form is controllable by making simple lifestyle and dietary changes. In Type 2 patients, the pancreas continues to produce insulin, albeit in very small amounts that are insufficient to meet the individual’s needs. As a result, the excess glucose that is not absorbed by the cells accumulates in the bloodstream and, over time, can lead to the same health complications as in Type 1. However, this very common form of diabetes is amenable to lifestyle management, such as dietary changes and maintaining a healthy weight. Medication is not always necessary provided the patient exercises regularly and eats a healthful diet. FUN FACT The soles of your feet contain more sweat glands and sensory nerve endings per square centimeter than any other part of the body.
