HealthDuties

Diabetes has become something of an epidemic in the way it is affecting human beings at an alarming large rate. According to recent medical research, it results from the mismanagement of blood sugar in the human body. This mismanagement may be a result of many factors, which may be hereditary or environmental in nature. It has been found that the main culprit behind this mismanagement is hormone insulin. To understand the role of insulin, we need to understand more about human metabolic activity.

“Metabolism” is a term used for all of the physical and chemical activity that takes place inside the human body that requires or releases energy. Once food enters the human body, several processes become active. Large molecules of food are broken down into smaller molecules. Most of the carbohydrates in the food are converted into glucose.

This glucose is the source of energy for the body. Once glucose enters the bloodstream, it needs to be transported to muscles, cells, and other organs where it can be converted into energy. At this point in the chain, insulin becomes a major player as it is responsible for the movement of glucose to almost 70% of the body’s cells. Besides movement, insulin also plays a vital role in the conversion of glucose into glycogen, which is stored by the liver and muscle cells.

As the sugar level in the blood rises, insulin is released into the bloodstream. Beta cells residing in the islets of Langerhans (in the pancreas) are responsible for this release of insulin.

In addition to the problems we wrote about in our last Diabetes complications post, abnormal blood sugar levels may lead to other chronic complications. Some of these include:

Vascular disease: If the blood glucose level stays abnormally high in the blood vessels, it may result in damaged blood vessels or angiopathy. Under these circumstances, cells lining the blood channels start taking more glucose than normal. This results in the enhanced formation of the surface glycoprotein, causing a thicker and weaker basement membrane. All of the problems resulting from this complication fall under the microvascular diseases.

If the damage happens to small blood vessels, it is known as microangiopathy. Microangiopathy may result in any of the following complications:
Diabetic retinopathy: Microangiopathy may result in weak and low-quality blood vessels in the eye, especially in the retina and macular edema. This results in the loss of vision and, in severe cases, it may lead to blindness. Damage of the retina as a result of microangiopathy is the most prevalent cause of blindness among non-elderly adults in the U.S.

Diabetic neuropathy: This abnormality is characterized by decreased and abnormal sensation in the nerves. Usually it starts in the feet and later spreads to the fingers and hands. It may result in a diabetic foot, in combination with damaged blood vessels. Diabetic neuropathy may take several forms. If muscle weakness results from neuropathy, it is known as diabetic amyotrophy.

Diabetic nephropathy: This type of complication arises if diabetes results in damage to the kidneys. This type of damage may lead to permanent kidney failure, which will require dialysis in order to sustain life. In developed countries, diabetes is one of the most common causes of kidney or renal failure.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: Diabetes may lead to diastolic malfunction, which may end in heart failure. Macrovascular diseases act as triggers and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is the main contributor to:

• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Diabetic myonecrosis

Diabetic foot: This complication is a result of neuropathy and vascular degeneration and its abnormalities. It usually results in skin ulcers and various infections. In severe cases, it may result in necrosis and gangrene. This is one reason for the higher rate of leg and foot infections in diabetic people. If care is not exercised, it may end in amputation of the toes or feet.

Carotid artery stenosis: This complication is not necessarily a direct result of diabetes, but healing and risks during operations are highly influenced by diabetic conditions.

Diabetic encephalopathy: This type of complication results in decreased cognition skills. It also involves the risk of dementia.

Lifestyle changes and proper medication under medical supervision is the key to the successful management of diabetes. Good luck!