Diabetes
Diabetes is an increasingly common condition that affects many
people - both in the UK and elsewhere in the world.
This webpage is a simple introduction to this condition and is
designed to include the minimum information about diabetes that
is included as
part of the standard training in many
therapies
- such as Massage, Aromatherapy, Accupuncture, Shiatsu, and others.
Diabetes is a condition related to the ability
of the body to regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in
the blood. |
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This is usually regulated by the hormone insulin,
which is produced and secreted by the Beta
cells (B-cells) of the pancreas.
The pancreas is an endocrine gland - also described on the page about Endocrine
Glands. |
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‘Normal’ blood glucose levels are in the range
4-10 m.mol/litre,
where m.mol/litre (of glucose) is a measure of the concentration of sugar (in
form of glucose) in blood. |
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These figures generally
refer to measurements taken with approximately 2 hours of
eating a
meal.
Variations within this range may be explained by
how recently foods were consumed, the sugar-content of those
foods, and how quickly the sugars in that type of food are
released into the body.
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In the context of diabetes, and blood sugar
levels: |
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"Hypo" refers to there being less than
3.5 m.mol/litre (of glucose) per litre of blood. |
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Symptoms may include sweating, shakes and light-headedness.
If the level continues to drop then the person may fall
into a coma. If it drops still further, death may result. |
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"Hyper" refers to there being more than
10.1 m.mol/litre (of glucose) per litre of blood. |
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Symptoms may include urination, headaches, blurred
vision and keto-acidosis.
If the level continues to increase
then the person may fall into a coma. If it increases still
further, then death may result. |
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The cycle of regulation
of blood sugar levels in a person not affected by diabetes is
shown below. |
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The basic cycle summarised in the diagram
above is: |
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Normal
Blood Glucose
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Increase
in Blood Glucose (following a meal or snack)
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Beta-Cells
in the pancreas stimulated to produce insulin
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Blood
Glucose level falls
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Normal
Blood Glucose
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Blood
Glucose level falls
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Alpha-cells
secret glucagen (to glucose)
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Blood
Glucose levels rise
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This
cycle is repeated throughout the day as the person gets
hungary, eats, ingests sugars, and processes them.
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There are several different types of diabetes, which are listed
(in alphabetical order) in the table below.
Type of Diabetes
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Causes & Symptoms
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Diabetes Insipidus
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is due to non-secretion of A.D.H..
One
symptom is constant urination (‘micturation’),
upwards of 10 litres per day. |
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Diabetes Melitis
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is the failure of the body to produce
any insulin.
It is also known as ‘Pissing Evil’,
and ‘Sugar Fountain’ – because the
urine smells very sweet. |
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Diabetes Type I
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is also known as ‘juvenile diabetes’.
It is hereditary and occurs in young people. |
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Diabetes Type II
("Hypoglycaemia")
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is non-insulin dependent.
The pancreas
produces some insulin, but insufficient.
This condition
is associated with age, obesity and lack of exercise
and is normally cured by some combination of tablets
/ diet / exercise. |
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Temporary/Pregnancy Diabetes
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occurs because of the hormonal disruption
caused by ‘feeding for two’.
Symptoms end
with the end of the pregnancy. |
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This is the end of this page, but information about the composition
of blood and aspects of the endocrine system
such as conditions
affecting the endocrine system are included
on other pages of this website.
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