{"id":535,"date":"2017-03-19T21:40:42","date_gmt":"2017-03-19T21:40:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lifevibrant.com\/?p=535"},"modified":"2019-06-14T00:23:36","modified_gmt":"2019-06-14T00:23:36","slug":"understanding-the-diabetes-complications-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifevibrant.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/19\/understanding-the-diabetes-complications-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding The Diabetes – Complications & Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nD<\/span>iabetes (diabetes mellitus<\/em>) is a condition in which the body becomes unable to properly convert the food, especially glucose<\/span>, into the energy needed for the daily activities. It happens because of disruption in the glucose metabolism process in the body. The substance responsible for the glucose metabolism in the body is Insulin<\/span>. At the onset of diabetes, the body is either not able to produce the insulin (type-1), or is not able to utilize the generated insulin (type-2). The resulting elevated sugar level<\/span>\u00a0in the blood leads to a variety of serious complications and diseases.<\/p>\n

WHO describes Diabetes as a serious, chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or glucose), or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Diabetes is an important public health problem, one of four priority noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) targeted for action by world leaders. Both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past few decades.<\/p>\n

Diabetes affects all age groups, but it is more common among the middle age and older age group people. Among all the age group people, the obese group is at a greater risk of developing diabetes.<\/p>\n

The Role of Insulin:<\/span>
\nInsulin is a peptide hormone<\/span>\u00a0composed of 51 amino acids. It is produced by the Beta cells<\/span>\u00a0in the Islets of Langerhans in Pancreas. Insulin causes the cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen<\/span>\u00a0in the liver and muscle, and stopping the use of fat as an energy source – Cells cannot utilize glucose without insulin.<\/p>\n

Every cell in the human body needs energy in order to function. The body’s primary energy source is glucose<\/span>, a simple sugar resulting from the digestion of foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Glucose from the digested food circulates in the blood as a ready source source of energy for any cells that need it.<\/p>\n

Insulin bonds to a receptor site on the outside of the cell, and acts like a key<\/span>\u00a0to open a doorway into the cell through which glucose can enter. Some of the glucose can be converted into a concentrated energy sources like glycogen or fatty acids and saved for the later use. When there is not enough insulin produced, or when the doorway no longer recognizes the insulin key,<\/span>\u00a0glucose stays in the blood rather that entering into the cells – while the cells starve. The level of glucose in the blood then gets too high, causing the condition known as\u00a0diabetes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

High Blood Sugar Level – Hyperglycemia:<\/span>
\nA normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 110 mg\/dl. A blood sugar level of 126 mg\/dl or higher is considered to be a danger sign and a precursor of diabetes mellitus.<\/p>\n

When the blood glucose level goes high, the body attempts to dilute the high level of glucose in the blood – a condition called hyperglycemia, by drawing the water out of the cells and into the bloodstream in an effort to dilute the sugar and excrete it via urine. It is not unusual for the people with diabetes to be constantly thirsty, drink large quantities of water, and urinate frequently as their bodies try to get rid of the extra glucose – Resulting in high levels of glucose in the urine.<\/p>\n

Cell Starvation:<\/span>
\nAt the same time that the body is trying to get rid of glucose from the blood, the cells are starving for glucose and sending signals to the body to eat more food, thus making patients extremely hungry. To provide energy for the starving cells, the body also tries to convert fats and proteins to glucose. The breakdown of fats and proteins for the energy need causes acid compounds called ketones<\/span>\u00a0to form in the blood stream. Ketones is also excreted in the urine.<\/p>\n

As ketones build up in the blood, a condition called ketoacidosis<\/span>\u00a0can occur. This condition can be life threatening if left untreated, leading to coma and death.<\/p>\n

The Complications:<\/span>
\nOver the years, high levels of glucose in the blood damage the nerves and blood vessels. This can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and chronic gum infections. Nerve and blood vessel damage may lead to serious lower limb infections, requiring amputation of the infected limb.<\/p>\n

Types of Diabetes<\/h3>\n

There are two main Types of diabetes:<\/strong><\/p>\n