Is Diabetes Lurking Around Your Family?
The food we eat is digested to produce energy for us to live and to work. The main component produced by digestion is glucose (a basic form of sugar). The glucose is transported by the blood to all parts of the body. The level of glucose in the blood is maintained at the proper level by a regulatory mechanism. Sometimes, the glucose level cannot be maintained at the proper level and it shoots up. This leads to a condition known as diabetes. Diabetes can have dangerous consequences for the patient. Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes is essential to nip this condition in the bud.
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.
The digestive system is very susceptible to diabetes-induced neuropathy. Flatulence, hyperacidity, diarrhea, and constipation are warning signs of diabetes. The nerves that control the bladder may also suffer functional impairment, leading to frequent urgent urination, with embarrassing consequences at times.
The abnormal composition of the blood in a diabetic situation obstructs the normal healing process to such an extent that even small cuts and bruises either take a long time to heal or do not heal at all. A small cut or injury will turn into an open wound, and if not properly cared for, may begin to fester. This is another sign of diabetes lurking around.
These signs and symptoms are very misleading. You tend to associate each of these symptoms with some other illness or problem. Nausea? "Something I ate at Al's Diner!" Vision problem? "Age catching up!" Frequent urination? "Infection of the urinary tract." In each case, diabetes is able to avert suspicion from itself! So no one suspects diabetes in the early stages of the condition. They have diabetes, yet are not aware of it.
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!