The Dock Line
Lake Conroe, Texas (936) 890-7234
Without The Sugar
By Sonia Holmes M.D. & R. Ryan Holmes M.D. M.P.H.
We wanted to talk a little about diabetes today.
Carbohydrates, commonly known as sugars, exist in 2 forms: simple (sweets such as cakes, candies and cookies) and complex (starches such as potatoes, rice, breads and pastas). When you eat carbohydrates, whether simple or complex, they are digested by enzymes (such as sucrase, lactase, and maltase) into glucose. Glucose is then absorbed into the bloodstream and trans- ported through the body. Glucose must then be taken from the blood to the cells where it can be used as an energy source for your cells.
This is where insulin comes into the picture. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas. The function of insulin is to transport the glucose from the blood into the cells. Think of insulin as the key that can unlock and open the door to the cell and allow the glucose to get inside. As insulin transports glucose into the cells, the amount of glucose remaining in the blood consequently decreases. This is how insulin lowers blood glucose.
Diabetes is characterized by high glucose levels as a result of a quantitative or qualitative insulin problem. We designate diabetes into 2 types. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by lack of insulin production by the pancreas and insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by impaired insulin function and the cells’ resistance to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more common and responsible for about 90% of diabetes in the USA, while Type 1 diabetes is responsible for only about 10%.
Regardless of the type, diabetes results in abnormally high blood glucose. The medical term for abnormally high blood glucose is hyperglycemia. Since glucose cannot get into the cells, it continues to circulate in the blood until the kidneys remove it via the urine. Unfortunately, the kidneys have a limited capacity to remove the glucose, so the blood glucose levels often stay elevated. In fact, “Diabetes” comes from the Greek word “diabainein” which means “to pass through”. This derived from historical recognition of sweet urine in these patients.
Hyperglycemia can result in symptoms of increased thirst, increased appetite, increased urination, fatigue and blurry vision. However, some people with hyperglycemia may not recognize any symptoms. Many times, people do not realize that they have diabetes.
The more serious problem with diabetes is consequences of prolonged hyperglycemia. Over time, hyperglycemia can result in capillary injury leading to permanent, irreversible damage to nerves, the eyes, and the kidneys. Damage to the nerves can lead to neuropathy characterized by numbness, pain and altered sensation, particularly in the legs. This also impairs circulation and increases risk of extremity amputations. Damage to the eyes can lead to retinopathy and blindness. Uncontrolled diabetes remains the #1 cause of blindness in the USA. Damage to the kidneys leads to nephropathy and renal failure. Uncontrolled diabetes remains the #1 cause of kidney failure requiring dialysis. Damage to these structures occurs over years of uncontrolled hyperglycemia.
Fortunately, there is some good news. With proper treatment, the risk of developing nerve, kidney or vision damage is minimized and may be prevented. For this reason, it is essential to diagnose and treat diabetes as early as possible.
Treatment is aimed at controlling the blood glucose levels and keeping them as close to normal as possible. Treatment of diabetes starts with diet and exercise to improve the way the cells use carbohydrates. A diabetic diet should be both carbohydrate-restricted and calorie-restricted (usually 1800-2200 calories per day for the average person). Exercise should be aerobic, such as stationary bike, treadmill, jogging, etc. Aerobic exercise should be done at least 5 days per week and for a minimum of 30 minutes each workout. When diet and exercise alone fail to control diabetes, then the addition of medication may be needed. We now have many medication options available for the treatment of diabetes.
Diabetes can easily be diagnosed with simple finger blood glucose testing in a number of ways. If you have not been checked, we encourage you to ask your doctor about testing at your next follow up appointment. Recognition is the first step. For more information, please see the American Diabetes Association website at www.diabetes.org.
Email: ozzy@docklinemagazine.com or susan@docklinemagazine.com
The Dock Line - PO Box 1203 Willis, Texas 77378