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Diabetes Englisch |
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What does Diabetes mean?
Your doctor has been telling you that your blood sugar level is too high or that you are diabetic. There are two different types of diabetes, type I needs insulin and type II is called non-insulin dependent. Both have in common that the blood sugar level is too high. Insulin is an enzyme responsible for bringing sugar (glucose) out of the blood into the cells. It is produced in so called beta-cells of the pancreas. In type I-diabetes those beta-cells are being destroyed probably because of an autoimmune disease and therefore can no longer produce insulin, the sugar is not being transported into the cells and therefore the blood sugar level rises. In type II-diabetes on the one hand the production of insulin is decreased and on the other hand the cells are being resistant to insulin. Type II-diabetes is found mostly in combination with obesity.
What are the symptoms?
Maybe lately you found yourself being tired and weak. Maybe you have lost some weight, were very thirsty and had to urinate frequently. These are all symptoms of an elevated blood sugar level. Type II-diabetes can also experience signs of low blood sugar level like increased appetite and sweating as well.
Why does diabetes need to be treated?
One consequence of diabetes is the so called microangiopathy, a change in the walls of small blood vessels, that leads to decreased circulation in certain organs. Mostly involved are the eyes ( after 10 years 50% of all diabetic develop retinopathy, this is a change in the retina that can lead to retinal detachment and blindness). The change in the arterial wall can lead to decreased kidney function, urinary tract infection as well as inflammations of the renal pelvis can occur in diabetics because of decreased immunesystem function. Especially the legs are stricken by arterial occlusive disease, perceived through pain and decreased circulation (Charcot`s syndrome). Another common complication is diabetic polyneuropathy, a neuronal degeneration noticeable through numbness and sensory loss.
Therapy for type I diabetes means insulin replacement. There are different preparations and the treatment can be individually adjusted in a way that restrictions in every day life are reduced to a minimum. In type II-diabetics diet and attending a normal weight are most important. In addition oral antidiabetics can be used that either delay resorption of carbohydrates or stimulate insulin secretion. Checking your blood sugar level is important and can be done through your doctor or by yourself.
You should have check-ups for your eyeground, your kidney function and your nerve conduction velocity. Through consequent treatment plan, that has to be established with your doctor, you are able to improve the course of your disease and to lead your life with just minimal restrictions.
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