General Nursing©

DIABETES: facts and what we can do about it?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition, which results from a lack of or insensitivity to, insulin. Insulin is a hormone-produced by the pancreas. It is needed for the assimilation of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids by the body for the energy or storage. Deficiency of or ineffectiveness of insulin results in high glucose levels in the blood. The disease cannot be cured but it can be controlled with life-long treatment. There are two major types of diabetes mellitus. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) occurs mostly in young people and requires regular insulin injections. Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) occurs mainly in older people, some can be controlled with power diet and exercise alone; and others may need medical treatment. Some may also need insulin injections. Many of those who suffer from non-insulin dependent diabetes are overweight or obese. Diabetes tends top run in families.

Symptoms:

• Constant thirst.
• Polyuria or frequent urination. Getting up frequently to pass urine at night.
• Frequent hunger, strong appetite.
• Weight loss despite a hearty appetite.
• Tiredness and/or weakness.
• Tingling sensation and numbness in the hands and feet.
• Blurred vision
• Recurrent skin infections.
• Itching in the private parts.

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