What the Heck is High Blood Sugar Disease?

Many people who are not familiar with diabetes do not know if they are at risk or are going through life with this disease that can wreak havoc on your organs, especially if they do not have family members that have had it or are not in the medical field. The symptoms can sneak into our lives, and we can dismiss them as something else. Let us begin this blog by learning exactly~ What is Diabetes?

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1, is commonly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. It is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 1 Diabetes usually appears during childhood; although it can occur in adulthood, it is not that common. We will dive into this next month. Today, we will explore and educate ourselves about the most common diabetes called Type 2 Diabetes.

According to Websters Dictionary: Type 2 Diabetes

A common form of diabetes mellitus that develops mainly in adults and most often in obese individuals and that is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin utilization coupled with the body’s inability to compensate with increased insulin production. So what exactly does that mean?

The Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Care will break it down to make it simple. Type 2 is an impairment in how the body regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as fuel for the body. Similar to how a car uses gas. When you are on an empty tank, hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. When the pot on the stove boils over, that resembles hyperglycemia, high blood sugar. Diabetes is a chronic condition that results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Because it is a long-term disease, this is what makes it so dangerous if not maintained. It will result in circulatory, nervous, and immune systems disorders if not treated properly. The best way to treat your diabetes is with an Endocrinologist specialist.

Type 2 diabetes is problematic because it has two factors at work. First, your pancreas does not produce enough insulin~ insulin is responsible for moving sugar into your cells~ in addition, the cells are less receptive to accepting the sugar. It is similar to holding two magnets opposite and pushing each other against one another.

A common name for Type 2 diabetes is adult-onset diabetes. It is primarily seen in adults, but childhood obesity has increased the number of kids claiming the diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but eating well, losing weight, and exercising will manage the disease. This is an excellent regiment that your primary doctor might start. However, if diet and exercise do not work, you could benefit from specialists such as Dr. Jellinger, Dr. Lermn, and Dr. Jacobson. Diabetic medications or insulin therapy may come into your life at this stage.

What are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?

As we previously stated, here is where it gets tricky. Diabetes onset is slow, so here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Unintended with loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Areas of darkened skin, common in the armpits and neck

What is the Cause of Type 2 Diabetes?

We stated earlier that the opposite attraction of cells accepting the sugar and the lack of sugar being available is the cause of the illness.

• Cells in muscle, fat, and the liver become resistant to insulin and will not accept the sugar.
• The pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels.

There is no clear understanding of why this occurs, but we know that being overweight and inactive are key contributing factors.

How Does Insulin Work?

The pancreas (located below the stomach) produces insulin and is responsible for how the body utilizes sugar in the following ways:

• The sugar in your bloodstream stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin
• Sugar enters the cells as insulin circulates throughout the bloodstream
• The sugar in your bloodstream drops
• The response from the pancreas is to release less insulin

What Does Glucose Do?

Glucose is the medical term for sugar. However, it is a leading energy source and fuel for your body, primarily muscles, and other tissues. Glucose is produced and stored in the liver and then released with the addition of the food you eat to maintain your insulin levels. When you have not eaten in a while, you can count on your liver to break down stored glucose, called glycogen, and release it into the body.

Unfortunately, when you have type 2 diabetes, the body process does not work as it should. As a result, the sugar accumulates in the blood instead of moving into the cells. This is a vicious cycle because the more sugar builds in the bloodstream, the more the liver breaks down additional glycogen turning it into glucose resulting in an extreme increase in blood sugar.

What Are Some Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes?

• Being obese or mildly overweight
• Not being active or including exercise in your routine
• Family history is a significant factor
  Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islanders – are the primary races and ethnicities to develop diabetes
• Having low levels of “good cholesterol” (HDL) and high levels of triglycerides put you at an increased risk
• Every year you get older, the odds of having diabetes go up
• Pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes and result in type 2 diabetes

What Problems Can Arise From Diabetes?

The body organs are affected by increased blood sugar on a chronic basis. Unfortunately, the damaged organs are prominent such as the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. The same factors that increase the risk of diabetes also cause other serious chronic diseases. Therefore, if you can decrease the odds of getting type 2 diabetes, it can also reduce the chances of other chronic diseases.

• Heart and blood vessel disease– stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels )
• Nerve damage– ( neuropathy ) is typical in the body’s limbs, such as fingers, toes, and eventually the feet. High blood sugar destroys the nerve endings, resulting in tingling, burning, numbness, and eventually total loss of feeling.
• Nerve Damage to the internal organs-irregular heart rhythms. Nerve damage to the digestive system causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
• Kidney Disease-End stage renal failure can result in dialysis, and in severe cases, a kidney transplant
• Eye Damage-The eyes are significantly affected – by cataracts and glaucoma, blood vessel damage to the retina that can lead to blindness
• Skin Conditions and Slow Healing of Wounds-bacterial and fungal infections are predominant. This is a significant issue when it pertains to cuts and blisters that can lead to toe, foot, or leg amputation

How Do I Prevent Diabetes?

Make good choices for your lifestyle, especially if you have a predisposition to have diabetes. Family history, obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking are significant factors to be aware of. It is a very healthy idea to include in your daily routine:

• Eating healthy
• Exercising
• Weight loss
• Avoid inactivity for long periods

The Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Care (CDEC) is a state-of-the-art patient-centered medical facility, achieving excellence in endocrinology for over 45 years.

We can help! If you know someone unhappy with their diabetic care or who is still experiencing issues with their health, give us a call today at 954-763-7100.

Resource Links

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists: https://www.empoweryourhealth.org

American Thyroid Association: https://www.thyroid.org/patients/patients.html

American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/research-and-practice

Medicare: https://www.medicare.org/

National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer

The Hormone Foundation: https://www.hormone.org/

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists: https://www.get2theheartofit.com/