Diabetes
First Signs
Great Thirst - Polyuria
This occurs because there are excess Glucose levels in the blood which create a 'syrupy' kind of Urine - this in turn draws water out of the body in order to water the Urine down and this then produces masses of Urine and a full Bladder.
Weight Loss
The Body uses and stores Glucose for energy which is created from Carbohydrates - if this Glucose cannot be utilised it is passed out of the Body and the Body then starts to break down it's own tissue in an attempt to provide fuel.
Constipation
Passing excessive amounts of water from the body creates dehydration and without water stools become firm and hard, making them more difficult to expel.
Tiredness
With no fuel to burn, there is a feeling of malaise and no energy - the glucose that would normally convert to energy can no longer be used.
Tingling
Nerve function can be affected and produce a 'pins and needles' effect in the hands or feet.
Infections
When the body is dehydrated, the environment within it becomes sticky and slow moving including the body's defence mechanism. White blood cells no longer rush to the infected site and Bacteria can quickly multiply. Excess sugar always challenges the Immune System.
pH Balance
The Chemical balance within the body changes, and this too can have a profound affect. The body's naturally slightly Alkalised condition becomes Acidified creating a perfect environment for Candida overgrowth and infectious Bacteria, and resulting in a susceptibility to Boils/Abscesses/Chest Infections/Cystitis/Thrush.
Blurred Vision
Stickiness within the body can also affect the eye by altering the lens. This creates difficulty with focussing, and causes hazy vision or even temporary loss of sight.
Not all of these symptoms are likely to show up, but are things to bear in mind if you suspect something is not right - Thirst/Mood Swings/Malaise are the main characteristics that identify symptoms linked to Diabetes.
Normal Blood Glucose level is 3.5 - 7.8 millimols(a unit of measure) in every litre of blood.
In America it's measured in milligrams per Decilitre - normal range 60 - 140 mg/dl.
The body strives to maintain balance, which we call Homeostasis - when it tries to do this, it compensates by bringing other mechanisms into play, this puts a strain on other parts of the body and the body in general.
The Kidneys become overworked - normally Kidneys do not allow Glucose to enter Urine, but as Blood Glucose levels rise it spills over, leaking into Urine and drawing water reserves with it.
High Glucose levels in Urine are not enough evidence to confirm Diabetes, because there can be other reasons for levels to rise and also blood glucose levels can fluctuate dramatically, therefore a blood test is needed to confirm an overall diagnosis.
For some people, this can be a temporary glucose intolerance and this will revert to normal without intervention. Changing diet and staying fit can have a profound effect on self-management
Causes
There are two main causative factors relating to Diabetes - Insulin Manufacture and Insulin Release. If the Hormone Insulin cannot be produced by the body, this creates Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM-Type I Diabetes). Type II Diabetes - Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus(NIDDM) results when either Insulin is manufactured, but there are not enough Insulin Receptors, or when the Pancreas cannot manufacture enough Insulin.
An Insulin Receptor is like a Keyhole and Insulin is the Key. Insulin must find these Receptors for the chemical process to take place and for the glucose in the blood to travel through the cell wall and into the cell.
Type II Diabetes usually occurs with age, when the body's ability to perform becomes impaired for various reasons.
Type I Diabetes is an Auto-Immune disorder. An Autoimmune response is when the body starts to attack itself. Normally Antigens (enemies carried by Bacteria) are detected by our White Blood Cells, which then react by sending in anti-bodies to kill the Antigens. In the case of Type I it has been found that a 'genetic blip' occurs, creating a lack of protection and as a result the white blood cells misinterpret substances on the walls of Beta Cells as Antigens - mistakenly destroying them even though we actually need them to maintain perfect function and the production of Insulin.
The reason for this mistaken identity leads back to the 'genetic blip' theory..............
Our Genes are handed down in Chromosomes which are double strands of protein called DNA - DNA is made up of tiny particles of Amino Acids arranged in exact sequences. In Diabetes Type I, one of these Amino Acids (on Chromosome 6) is replaced with others and it's this that creates the vulnerability.
This vulnerability remains within the body until stressors are placed upon the system, usually a virus, but possibly emotional trauma, which causes the body to over-react. This creates a battle whereby the body begins to attack itself, destroying the very Beta Cells it needs for survival.
In Diabetes Type II, it is not always necessary to take Insulin - it may be possible for many people to control it through diet, and although it seems to predominantly afflict people who have excess weight - it can affect people of normal weight.
Investigations into Type II do not show such a clearly defined route of cause, but the picture reveals that overweight and age(30+), plus diet, lifestyle and emotional state, all play their part.
Summary
If the body is sticky and gummed up with Glucose, this has a profound affect on the homeostasis of the whole body, slowing it down and wearing it out. It affects almost every organ as a result and can make you feel very extremely unwell.
As the full name of Type II Diabetes is 'Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus' - the name suggests it's not necessary to rely on insulin supplements. A high fibre complex carb diet, leaving out refined sugars, plus exercise and a healthy lifestyle can dramatically change the course of your future health. Emotional support via Counselling, EFT(emotional freedom technique), or NLP hypnotherapy can create profound changes in the body.
If you watch, listen and learn how your body responds, you can gain confidence and control to the point where you may no longer be aware you have Diabetes Type II and indeed may actually not have it any more!
Great Thirst - Polyuria
This occurs because there are excess Glucose levels in the blood which create a 'syrupy' kind of Urine - this in turn draws water out of the body in order to water the Urine down and this then produces masses of Urine and a full Bladder.
Weight Loss
The Body uses and stores Glucose for energy which is created from Carbohydrates - if this Glucose cannot be utilised it is passed out of the Body and the Body then starts to break down it's own tissue in an attempt to provide fuel.
Constipation
Passing excessive amounts of water from the body creates dehydration and without water stools become firm and hard, making them more difficult to expel.
Tiredness
With no fuel to burn, there is a feeling of malaise and no energy - the glucose that would normally convert to energy can no longer be used.
Tingling
Nerve function can be affected and produce a 'pins and needles' effect in the hands or feet.
Infections
When the body is dehydrated, the environment within it becomes sticky and slow moving including the body's defence mechanism. White blood cells no longer rush to the infected site and Bacteria can quickly multiply. Excess sugar always challenges the Immune System.
pH Balance
The Chemical balance within the body changes, and this too can have a profound affect. The body's naturally slightly Alkalised condition becomes Acidified creating a perfect environment for Candida overgrowth and infectious Bacteria, and resulting in a susceptibility to Boils/Abscesses/Chest Infections/Cystitis/Thrush.
Blurred Vision
Stickiness within the body can also affect the eye by altering the lens. This creates difficulty with focussing, and causes hazy vision or even temporary loss of sight.
Not all of these symptoms are likely to show up, but are things to bear in mind if you suspect something is not right - Thirst/Mood Swings/Malaise are the main characteristics that identify symptoms linked to Diabetes.
Normal Blood Glucose level is 3.5 - 7.8 millimols(a unit of measure) in every litre of blood.
In America it's measured in milligrams per Decilitre - normal range 60 - 140 mg/dl.
The body strives to maintain balance, which we call Homeostasis - when it tries to do this, it compensates by bringing other mechanisms into play, this puts a strain on other parts of the body and the body in general.
The Kidneys become overworked - normally Kidneys do not allow Glucose to enter Urine, but as Blood Glucose levels rise it spills over, leaking into Urine and drawing water reserves with it.
High Glucose levels in Urine are not enough evidence to confirm Diabetes, because there can be other reasons for levels to rise and also blood glucose levels can fluctuate dramatically, therefore a blood test is needed to confirm an overall diagnosis.
For some people, this can be a temporary glucose intolerance and this will revert to normal without intervention. Changing diet and staying fit can have a profound effect on self-management
Causes
There are two main causative factors relating to Diabetes - Insulin Manufacture and Insulin Release. If the Hormone Insulin cannot be produced by the body, this creates Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM-Type I Diabetes). Type II Diabetes - Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus(NIDDM) results when either Insulin is manufactured, but there are not enough Insulin Receptors, or when the Pancreas cannot manufacture enough Insulin.
An Insulin Receptor is like a Keyhole and Insulin is the Key. Insulin must find these Receptors for the chemical process to take place and for the glucose in the blood to travel through the cell wall and into the cell.
Type II Diabetes usually occurs with age, when the body's ability to perform becomes impaired for various reasons.
Type I Diabetes is an Auto-Immune disorder. An Autoimmune response is when the body starts to attack itself. Normally Antigens (enemies carried by Bacteria) are detected by our White Blood Cells, which then react by sending in anti-bodies to kill the Antigens. In the case of Type I it has been found that a 'genetic blip' occurs, creating a lack of protection and as a result the white blood cells misinterpret substances on the walls of Beta Cells as Antigens - mistakenly destroying them even though we actually need them to maintain perfect function and the production of Insulin.
The reason for this mistaken identity leads back to the 'genetic blip' theory..............
Our Genes are handed down in Chromosomes which are double strands of protein called DNA - DNA is made up of tiny particles of Amino Acids arranged in exact sequences. In Diabetes Type I, one of these Amino Acids (on Chromosome 6) is replaced with others and it's this that creates the vulnerability.
This vulnerability remains within the body until stressors are placed upon the system, usually a virus, but possibly emotional trauma, which causes the body to over-react. This creates a battle whereby the body begins to attack itself, destroying the very Beta Cells it needs for survival.
In Diabetes Type II, it is not always necessary to take Insulin - it may be possible for many people to control it through diet, and although it seems to predominantly afflict people who have excess weight - it can affect people of normal weight.
Investigations into Type II do not show such a clearly defined route of cause, but the picture reveals that overweight and age(30+), plus diet, lifestyle and emotional state, all play their part.
Summary
If the body is sticky and gummed up with Glucose, this has a profound affect on the homeostasis of the whole body, slowing it down and wearing it out. It affects almost every organ as a result and can make you feel very extremely unwell.
As the full name of Type II Diabetes is 'Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus' - the name suggests it's not necessary to rely on insulin supplements. A high fibre complex carb diet, leaving out refined sugars, plus exercise and a healthy lifestyle can dramatically change the course of your future health. Emotional support via Counselling, EFT(emotional freedom technique), or NLP hypnotherapy can create profound changes in the body.
If you watch, listen and learn how your body responds, you can gain confidence and control to the point where you may no longer be aware you have Diabetes Type II and indeed may actually not have it any more!