DIABETES: Diabetes is a chronic and incurable metabolic disease characterized by elevated glucose levels in the blood. This is characterized by the lack or faulty production of insulin in the pancreas. Diabetes is incurable, but it can be controlled up to the point that the symptoms disappear if a normal stable level of blood glucose is maintained. But treatment must never be discontinued because the clinical manifestations could reappear. Complications up to date are known as:
Heart Disease (Cardiovascular System): Diabetes affects the Cardiovascular system in all its entirety. From the arteries that feed the heart which we call angiopathies, to the Central Nervous System. Microangiopathy is the damage to the capillaries. These allow the normal exchange of nutritional substances for the proper function of bodily tissues. So important is the irrigation of necessary nutrients that any interruption can cause complications such as: retinopathy, nephropathy, postural hypotension, gastrointestinal dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, peripheral dysfunction and many other complications that could prove fatal to the individual. The chronic complications caused by microangiopathy have elevated numbers and are typical of the person with diabetes who after more than five years to have a blood glucose figure in excess of 140mg/dl. If the patient manages to maintain a hemoglobin level of less than 7% concentration of glucose for a period that equals the preliminary manifestations of complications, these can be reduced by up to 70%.
Retinopathy (Ocular Complications): This is damage of the Retina which is a delicate layer lining on the inner surface of the eye and that is responsible for vision. Initially, diabetes affects the function of blood vessels, causing leakage of protein and blood in the retina. Such damage may form microaneurysms and then follow deterioration due to disease.
Nephropathy (Urinary System): The kidneys are organs that are meant to cleanse the body of toxic wastes that is generated throughout the body. The operation of the kidneys, in the uncontrolled diabetes, can cause severe and continuing deterioration to the vascular system that nourishes the organs and it can also affect the filtering of wastes out of the body. The abnormal leakage of protein in the urine eventually induces a non-reversible damage of renal function, resulting in an accumulation of toxins which can lead to chronic renal failure.
Neuropathy (Nervous System): Nerves function as electrical cables that conduct electrical impulses from the brain and spinal cord with efferent commands towards the muscles in order to provoke movements, nerves also conduct communication with afferent sensory perception. There are several types of diabetic neuropathy, but the most frequent is that which affects the peripheral nerves especially in the area of the feet. Damage to these nerves initially causes pain, burning and the loss of the ability to sense temperature changes. Moreover memory, cognitive speed and mental flexibility are also affected and recent studies suggest an association that diabetics are more susceptible to Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease. Because diabetes affects the mind, this can cause changes in mood, self esteem, family environment, so these issues should be observed.
Other Disorders: Deterioration of the inner ear can be observed causing mild to severe hearing loss. Oral health is another area where attention should be focused, so we recommend a visit to the dentist every 4 months.
Recommendations: To delay the long-term complications, the patient needs to change their lifestyle, this is achieved by a force of will, through the process of empowerment this force is build in order to reach better health. So, stop smoking if you smoke, control your weight through appropriate physical activity, control your blood pressure and most importantly learn to manage a diet adequate in quantity and quality. |
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