Diabetes: Explained

I was asked by a friend (Marguerite Seaton) to write about the different types of diabetes.  For this post, I am dusting off a PowerPoint presentation that my team created during graduate school at the University of Memphis.  I am using most of the information (un-edited) from or original presentation.  I also added my personal recommendations and some helpful resources.

Here we go!

HISTORY 
Diabetes is a disease that has been devastating mankind for over 2,000 years.
Early 19th Century- First chemical tests developed to indicate and measure the presence of sugar in the urine. 
1920- First treatment clinic was established in New Jersey
1921- Insulin was discovered by Dr. Banting and successfully used in the treatment of a 
de-pancreatized dog. 
1935-Dr. Roger Hinsworth made the discovery that there were indeed  multiple “types” of  Diabetes.
1940’s-Links made between Diabetes and log-term complication. 
1950’s treatments for Type II Diabetes began developing. 
1969- Portable Glucose Meters Created by Ames Diagnostics.
Late 1970’s- Insulin Pumps were created.
1983- First biosynthetic human insulin is introduced. 
1993 Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) report is published.

TYPES 
Pre-Diabetes- Elevated Blood Sugar, at risk for developing Diabetes. 
The state that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high 
enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. 
About 11 percent of people with pre-diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Program standard or 
control group developed type 2 diabetes each year during the average 3 years of follow-up. 
Other studies show that many people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes in 10 years.

Gestational Diabetes- Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

Type I Diabetes- Insulin Resistant.

Type II Diabetes- “Adult Onset” or Non-Insulin Dependent. 

A chronic, life-long disease that results when the body's insulin does not work effectively. 

Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas in response to increased levels of blood sugar

(glucose) in the blood. 

SYMPTOMS of Type 2 Diabetes

• Any of the type 1 symptoms 
• Frequent infections. 
• Blurred vision. 
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal.
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet. 
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections. 
• Headaches. 
• Itching of the skin (usually around the vaginal or groin area). 
• Frequent yeast infections. 
• Recent weight gain
• Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit, and groin, called acanthosis nigricans. 
• Decreased vision. 
• Impotency.  

DIALYSIS: 

The more common form of kidney-replacement therapy, is a way of cleaning the blood with

an artificial kidney.

There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis- an artificial kidney removes waste from the blood. A surgeon must first create 

an "access," a place where blood can easily be taken from the body and sent to the artificial 

kidney for cleaning. 

Peritoneal- The lining inside your abdomen (the peritoneum) becomes the filter. A soft plastic 

tube is put into the abdomen by a surgeon. When the body heals, cleansing fluid (dialysate) is 

put into the abdomen through this tube. 

MEDICATION: 

• Medications that decrease the amount of glucose produced by the liver (Metformin). 
• Medications that increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin (Actos, Avandia).
• —Medications that decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine (Precose). 

Debilitating Complications 

• Heart Disease – Higher risk for MI and CVA 
• Eye Complications – Higher risk of  blindness 
• Kidney Disease – Can lead to kidney failure 
• Skin Problems – Infections, itching, sores 
• Dental Disease – Can lead to gingivitis 
• Foot Problems – Nerve damage, infection 
• Nerve Damage (neuropathy)

Damages the nerves and can cause numbness in almost every part of the body in some individuals.

Sometimes causes severe nerve pain in others, uncomfortable enough to require medication.

Diabetic Neuropathies 

Diabetic neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can overtime, develop nerve damage throughout the body.

Symptoms of Neuropathy 

• Numbness, tingling, pain in toes, feet, legs, arms, and fingers. 
• Wasting of the muscles of feet and hands. 
• Erectile dysfunction, and problems with urination.

PREVENTION 

• Physical Exercise. 
• Eat plenty of Fiber. 
• Eat more whole grains. 
• Lose Extra Weight. 
• Skip Fad Diets.

MY ADVICE:

Diabetes is definitely a situation where

"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"! 

The diet and lifestyle recommendations that I promote and 

write about about will help PREVENT and treat a lot of 

diabetic conditions.

Healthy Food Recommendations.

• Avoid ALL simple, processed, and concentrated carbohydrates (SUGARS).
• Concentrate on low-glycemic foods that are rich in fiber and healthy fats.
• Stay away from fried foods of all types.
• There is an herbal supplement that can help: Banaba Leaf.  According to the New Vitamin Bible the recommendation is to take 16mg at the end of each meal.
• I would highly recommend staying away from ALL dairy products and take a good multi-vitamin.
• Also, make sure you are drinking plenty of clean water and stay away for ALL sodas, regular or diet. 

Get some healthy exercise at least 3 of 4 times a week.  Walk, bike, swim, use a treadmill, stationary bike, lift some weights.

*Watch the movie Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.
 
Unfortunately, we can permanently damage our bodies, this is why it is very important to take care of ourselves and prevent as much damage and disease as we can.

Take care of your body, it's the only one you have!

Sources: 

Source: http://www.defeatingdiabetes.com/type-2-diabetes/history.htm 

http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/diabetes-history.html

The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine

Earl Mindell's New Vitamin Bible