Diabetes- you make the difference
Nowadays, many people all over the world suffer from different types of diabetes, it derives from lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, eating meals that are not nutritional (food or drinks with too much sugar in them or lacking in proteins and other necessary vitamins and minerals) that as a result may cause obesity, or as the side-effect of certain medications and the lack of emotional support etc., all of which contribute to the increasing number of cases.
It is a significant health issue in Europe, with over 65 million people affected as of 2024. According to the IDF (International Diabetes Federation) the absolute number of diabetics in the EU will rise to 72.4 million by 2050. Some of the highest rates are found in Spain and Portugal.
Some types of diabetes are completely up to us to prevent and some can be better controlled with simple knowledge and changes in lifestyle.
As a fact diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that occurs as a result of problems with the pancreatic hormone- insulin. Insulin, controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and the rate at which it is absorbed into the cells.
People with diabetes are subjected to episodes of both high (Hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia).
You have to be aware of the fact that the major danger with diabetes, is not the disease itself, but the complications that can arise if the insulin levels are not maintained at a constant level.
There are 5 known types of diabetes (when the 1st and the 2nd are the main ones):
Type 1 (T1D) – When there is a failure of the pancreas to produce the right amount of insulin, therefore it requires the administration of external insulin (medication). It is actually an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Experts believe this may be as a result from an immune response after a viral infection. It affects about 5% to 10% of people with diabetes and usually starts at an early age.
Type 2 (T2D) – which accounts for the most common form (about 90% of all cases of diabetes). It appears at an adult age. Here, the pancreas does produce insulin but in small quantities, not enough to fuel the cells properly. The cells may also become resistant to the effects of what little insulin exists in the bloodstream. Many people have type 2 diabetes and are completely unaware of it!
Gestational diabetes – a form that develops during pregnancy, affecting about 4% of pregnant women. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the body’s resistance to insulin. Most of the times it disappears some time after giving birth. It could also be a sign that those affected will be more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later on in life.
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) – it is a condition that affects about 9%-11% of adults. People with IGT’s blood glucose levels are above normal, but are not at diabetic levels. However, about 6%-7% of the people affected will develop type 2 diabetes later on in life.
Type 5 (New researches) – it is associated with malnutrition in the infant stage. It is more common in countries with low level of income and in developed countries. It is estimated that between 20-25 million people suffer from this variant. The pancreas does not evolve completely the way it should, due to a lack in crucial nutrients in the initial phase of life (infancy). This situation limits the body’s possibility to produce the quantity of insulin that is needed for its correct function.
Common symptoms
Increased thirst, urination, hunger and the two stages/episodes: Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia.
Hyperglycemia (high sugar)- increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, increased hunger, loss of weight, and problems with eyesight.
Hypoglycemia (low sugar)- which strikes suddenly, can be caused by a missed meal, too much exercise, or a reaction to too much insulin. The experience is of hunger, dizziness, sweating, confusion, palpitation (fast heart beat), numbness or tingling of the lips. If not treated, it can eventually evolve into a state of coma. When it complicates symptoms may also include nausea, difficulty in breathing, sweet breath.
Complications of diabetes
Untreated diabetes can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); when the body is low on insulin it starts using stored fat as its fuel instead. In large quantities, ketones can cause the body to become excessively acidic. It most often happens to people with Type 1 diabetes.
Hyperosmolar syndrome, a result of very high blood sugar and dehydration. More common in older people with Type 2 diabetes, who are taking steroid medications or experiencing stress from a major illness. Due to a very high level of sugar the blood becomes very thick. Sometimes it is the first indication of diabetes in older adults.
Diabetic retinopathy (a leading cause of blindness).
Neuropathy (damage in the sensory and motor nerves –This is why it is highly important to take care of the feet, because diabetic people, when the illness is in progress, tend not to feel if or when they are wounded, which can lead to severe infections and even amputation).
And also, foot ulcers, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
Conventional treatments
For Type 1 – Mainly Insulin (different types) injections.
For Type 2 – mainly pills from different types of medication groups, when each works with a different approach to the problem. Each medication has its own side-effects on the body. It can include nausea, pains, high excess of insulin, syncope, weight gain, intestinal problems, heart failure, lung problems, hypertension etc.
Alternative treatments – General information - In a proven research that took place in 2005 it was found that a change in lifestyle was much more effective, twice and even more, than the conventional medications for diabetes Type 2. Even in terms of preventing the disease- a research that took place in 2002 proved to successfully prevent the illness in 1 out of 7 high-risk patients, when changing their lifestyle and nutrition for 3 years. Moreover, these researches proved that medications only slows down the process and in the end patients still become ill with diabetes Type 2, while changing their lifestyle and nutrition can actually prevent it.
When treating diabetes Type 2, changing lifestyle and nutrition works well. Adding to it weekly exercises for a certain amount of time can also help, but all should be done under the supervision of a Naturopath or a Nutritionist that knows how to compose together the right treatment for each person.
Eating and drinking products that are full of sugar, salt, artificial coloring, calories- like all the snacks, fast food etc. leads us to be the future Type 2 patients. Avoiding it and taking into consideration the value of good nutrition will definitely help our body function better and with less potential for diabetes.
When it comes to Type 1, eating well, drinking well and exercising well, will help us maintain the right level of insulin, preventing us from reaching Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia and helping the body cope better while preventing the complications of diabetes.
Due to the fact that hormones are also controlled by emotions, it is highly recommended and necessary for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients to take care of their emotional side as well. This can be done by relaxation therapies, fun activities, Bach Flower Remedies etc. There are many options to take care of it and each person should choose the right option for him/her.
Moreover, there are some supplements and herbal tinctures or herbal infusions that help manage sugar levels and support the body with the vitamins and minerals it lacks. Choosing the right ones and keeping control of their levels is important though, therefore it is highly recommended to do so with the supervision of a Naturopath and not solely through online generic research or the recommendations of health stores.
We can either prevent diabetes completely or control it better if we just take it into consideration and make the right changes in our lifestyle, so why not do it?