Is Diabetes Lurking Around Your Family?
by Ned Dagostino
Diabetes is not a disease but a metabolic condition. The body’s ability to regulate the amount of glucose in the body goes haywire for a number of reasons and the blood glucose levels begin to shoot up. These high blood glucose levels cause a number of morbid side effects and even, in extreme cases, trauma. So you should be aware of the tell-tale signs of this lurking danger.
One of these signs is frequent unwarranted thirst. The high blood glucose levels upset the normal blood salinity, and the body tries to compensate by increasing its intake of water. Violent vomiting and nausea not associated with anything you’ve eaten is also a sign of diabetes. Dizziness, anxiety and suffocation are similar warning signs of diabetes.
Abnormal glucose levels can adversely affect the nerves, a condition known as neuropathy. The eye is lined by the endings of the optic nerve. There are thousands of the nerve endings which collectively form the retina. Prolonged glucose abnormality affects the retina, resulting in sight problems.
Diabetes-induced neuropathy targets the various organs of the body especially the digestive system. Flatulence, acidity, highly irregular bowel motions like diarrhea and constipation are all provoked by diabetes-induced neuropathy. Neuropathy affects the bladder. Bladder control becomes a problem which means frequent and uncontrollable urination, which can lead to highly embarrassing situations.
The natural healing that takes place is badly affected. Actually, the blood is the connective tissue which is vital to the healing process and to general health. Certain constituents of the blood generate the fibrin which clots the blood, preventing bleeding from most injuries and wounds. The blood forms a scab over wounds, protecting them from infection. None of this happens when a person has diabetes. A small nick while shaving just won’t stop dripping blood. A small playground injury will remain open for weeks on end, turning red and sore and festering all the while. These are sure-shot signs that diabetes is present.
The symptoms are a natural follow-on to excess glucose levels in the blood. But taken individually they are fairly common symptoms which are often associated with mild conditions or mild diseases like flu. So the patient never even suspects diabetes and hence completely ignores the possibility. This leads to ignorance of the disease in the early stages.
If someone really close to you exhibits any one of these symptoms, or you do yourself, then it is best that you take this seriously and get a medical opinion on it. The medical practitioner is best able to diagnose your condition. If he advises a glucose test, have it done. The sooner diabetes is diagnosed the better for all concerned. Turn the searchlight on the lurker and drive him out into the open!
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