Why do I need to worry about my blood sugar system?

There are many disorders that one can develop if they have difficulty regulating blood sugar, insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.

The sugar in our food gives us energy.  When we eat the sugar in the food enters our body slowly and the pancreas creates insulin, which takes the right amount of sugar to the right cells so it can be used for energy.  When the amount of sugar and insulin is optimally balanced and this system is working smoothly and efficiently we feel sustained energy throughout the day and don’t experience highs and lows.  A lot of things can effect how the system runs, notably the food you eat, but most people that have trouble with their blood sugar system are usually troubled by too much sugar in the system or not enough insulin to move the sugar to the right places.

The way our body processes food for energy is our metabolism.  Diabetes is the primary disorder of blood sugar metabolism.    Our digestive system breaks down our food and most of it is broken down into glucose.   Glucose is the primary source of energy for our body and is essentially the sugar that moves into our blood after digestion.  Our cells use the sugar or glucose for energy.    However, our cells cannot get the glucose out of our blood without insulin.  Our pancreas produces insulin, which is actually a hormone.   When digestion is complete and glucose starts to flood into our blood, the pancreas begins to release insulin so our cells will be able to draw the glucose in from our blood. As soon as the sugars begin to enter into our cells, our blood-glucose levels begin to drop.

For a person with insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. this process is deficient in some way.  He or she may produce no insulin or may not produce enough insulin for all of the glucose in the blood to be drawn in by the cells.  As a result he or she will have elevated blood sugar/glucose because it is staying in the blood and not being absorbed into the cells and used for energy.  This result may also stem from having cells that don’t properly respond to insulin, resulting in less glucose being absorbed by the cells.  The built up blood glucose will pass out of your body in urine  but your cells are not getting enough sugar for their  energy and growth needs.

What is the Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes  is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce any insulin at all.  Only about 10% of all diabetics are type 1 making it less common than type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin for proper cell function or the cells do not properly react to insulin (insulin resistance).   About 90% of all diabetics are type 2 making it the most common type of diabetes.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

There are many symptoms of diabetes, the most common symptoms of diabetes include:

• frequent urination.
• intense hunger and thirst.
• unusual weight fluctuations.
• frequent unexplained fatigue.
• cuts and bruises that do not heal.
• tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.
• Erectile dysfunction.

What Types of Treatments are there for Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition and there is currently no know cure, but there are treatments, which generally include insulin injections,  following a very restricted low sugar low carbohydrate diet and regular blood tests to ensure that the injections and diet result in healthy blood-glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes is usually a lifelong condition, however, some people may be able to reduce or eliminate their symptoms without medication, by following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight,  exercising regularly, monitoring their blood sugar levels. However, many people suffering from type 2 diabetes also have to take insulin, usually in tablet form but sometimes insulin injections are required.

What are the Long Term Health Risks of unhealthy blood sugar levels?

If it is not properly treated the patient is at risk for developing difficult complications.

Some of the complications that may arise are:

• Atherosclerosis – because high blood sugar damages arteries they are at greater risk of hardening of the arteries, which may lead to high blood pressure, stroke and other heart and circulation problems.
• Eye complications – cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and others.
• Foot complications – ulcers, neuropathy (sensory nerve damage),  gangrene which may result in amputation.
• Gum disease -inflammation and infection of the gums.
• Gastroparesis – a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty.
• Hearing loss – usually caused by damage to the inner ear or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain.
• Heart problems – people with high blood sugar have a higher risk of developing heart disease.
• High Blood Pressure – people with high blood sugar have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure or hypertension.
• Slow Healing of Wounds – wounds, cuts and bruises heal slowly and can worsen rapidly, so requires close monitoring.
• Infections – slow healing creates a higher risk for developing an infection, which can in turn heighten the risk of developing gangrene, sepsis or a bone infection.
• Ketoacidosis – typically a type 1 diabetes complication, when there is no insulin at all the body begins to break down fat for energy. When fat is broken down, acids called ketones can accumulate in the blood and at high levels ketones can be poisonous.
• Mental health – people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety.
• Nephropathy –  damage to the blood vessels in the  kidneys caused by high blood sugar and high blood pressure.
• Neuropathy –  nerve damage, which for diabetics mostly damages  nerves in the legs and feet.
• PAD (peripheral arterial disease) – occurs when blood flow to the legs and feet are decreases because of constricted or blocked blood vessels.  This leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Stroke – because of the strain and damage to blood vessels people with diabetes have a 250% higher risk of developing a stroke.
• Skin complications – people with high blood sugar are at risk for a great variety of  skin infections and skin disorder, from fungus, to itching to discoloration.