Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus can be defined as the body's inability to properly
convert sugar from food into energy. Levels of sugar in the blood and
urine will test high.
Signs and symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus:
Elevated sugar in the blood
Elevated sugar in the urine
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Excessive hunger
Extreme weight loss
Weakness and fatigue
Irritability
Nausea and vomiting
Many of these symptoms listed are so mild, they go unnoticed. Almost
half of all Americans who have diabetes may not know it.
There are four (4) different types of Diabetes Mellitus:
TYPE I is sometimes referred to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus"
or "IDDM" for short. This form of diabetes is the most serious. Onset of
this disease usually develops during childhood, but young adults are
susceptible as well.
At this level of disease, the body stops making insulin or only produces
very small amounts. Insulin is what the body needs in order to use food
for energy. Since the body needs insulin in order to survive and control
blood levels of sugar, those afflicted must inject insulin.
TYPE II is sometimes called "non-insulin dependent mellitus" or "NIDDM".
This form of diabetes usually afflicts adults past 40 years of age but
can occur at any age. With Type II diabetes, the body does not produce
enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it produces. Due to this,
high blood levels of sugar can cause problems. Type II diabetes can be
inherited, but usually to bring on the disease, another factor such as
obesity must be present. This form of the disease usually affects
overweight adults and conditions may be improved by weight loss, (See
www.weightmanagement.com) and proper evaluated meal planning.
TYPE III or "gestational diabetes", occurs in some women during
pregnancy and usually disappears after childbirth. Patients diagnosed
are then reclassified after delivery. Many of these women may later
develop Type II diabetes.
TYPE IV includes other types of diabetes associated with genetic
defects, pancreatic disease, hormonal abnormalities or side effects of
drugs.
Diabetes should not be taken lightly since complications may develop
with the legs and feet, kidneys, heart, eyes, nerves, and blood flow.
Kidney failure, gangrene and amputation, blindness or stroke may
ultimately occur if left untreated.
Advice for those afflicted:
Follow your treatment plan
Maintain a healthy diet
Control your weight (see Weight Management)
Exercise regularly
Monitor with regular checkups
Do not smoke!
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, sometimes referred to as
"hypertension", can be defined as persistent elevated blood pressure
readings exceeding 140/90 in adults with blood pressure indicating the
stress placed on the walls of the arteries, the veins, and the heart
chambers by the flow of blood.
How is blood pressure measured? Blood pressure is measured by the use of
a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) and a stethoscope. Two
measurements are utilized for a blood pressure reading. The first number
measures the systolic pressure, which indicates the pressure in your
arteries while your heart beats. The second number measures the
(diastolic pressure), which indicates the pressure while your heart
rests between beats.
Systolic 140
Diastolic 90
Classifications of blood pressure: Normal blood pressure falls within a
range and is not just one set of numbers. If you are an adult, normal
blood pressure should be less than 140/90. The following is a guide to
various classifications of blood pressure for both diastolic and
systolic.
DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE
<85 normal blood pressure
85-89 high normal blood pressure
90-104 mild hypertension
105-114 moderate hypertension
>115 severe hypertension
Why is high blood pressure bad? High blood pressure is often referred to
as the "Silent Killer" since symptoms are virtually non-existent and
those afflicted may already suffer from damaged body organs before they
know it. Individuals with high blood pressure are 7 times more likely to
have a stroke; six times more likely to develop congestive heart
failure; and three times more likely to develop coronary heart disease
which may lead to a heart attack. High blood pressure can not be cured,
but it can be controlled.
Awareness is the key! Have your blood pressure checked as part of a
routine health screening. These tests are quick and painless and can be
performed in a doctor's office, hospital, school or company clinic, and
at many health fairs.
Who's at risk for high blood pressure?
UNCONTROLLABLE FACTORS:
Blacks are more likely to develop high blood pressure than whites.
Heredity plays a role where high blood pressure may run in families.
Aging increases your chance of developing high blood pressure.
CONTROLLABLE FACTORS:
Tobacco usage
Birth control pills
High intake of sodium (table salt)
Inactivity
Alcohol
Pregnancy
Reducing the controllable factors may significantly decrease your
chances of becoming afflicted with high blood pressure. Check with your
health care provider. Maintain regular checkups and stay informed!
Obesity
Obesity is diagnosed when the weight gain of an
individual is 20% greater than the ideal weight with regards to
individual height and size of body frame or as indicated by the
Metropolitan Height and Weight Tables, or as a BMI (body mass index) of
27 or greater. (A calculation including weight to height ratios with an
assigned number as a result.) Additionally, obesity can be diagnosed
when a tricep skin fold measurement exceeds 15 mm (3 /4· inch) in a man
and 25mm (1 inch) in a woman.
Currently, 1 in 3 adults living in the U.S. weighs 20% or more above
desirable weight. According to statistics based on 1990 population
estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 58 million adults
suffer from obesity. This increase is rising toward epidemic levels and
has become an alarming factor with regard to its health implications.
Health implications of obesity: Being overweight affects almost every
body system in some way. Overweight increases the chances that an
individual will develop or experience one or more of the following:
High blood pressure
Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Elevated cholesterol
Coronary heart disease
Gallbladder disease
Endometrial cancer
Osteoarthritis
Stroke
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Colon cancer
Musculoskeletal problems
Metabolic problems
Breathing disorders - sleep apnea
Acute psychological distress
Probability of an early death
What causes obesity? The causes of obesity remains poorly understood and
clearly undefined, although studies are ongoing. There may be an
inherited trend to become overweight with genes playing a possible role.
More clearly understood is the relationship between caloric intake and
calorie burning. In more simplistic terms, people gain weight when they
consume more calories than their bodies burn.
How to manage your weight: Eat less (reduce caloric intake). Increase
the calories you burn - Exercise! When exercising, make sure all
exercises are rhythmic, repetitive, involves large muscles and motion,
and challenges the circulatory system.
Many programs have been designed to help those who suffer from the
difficulties of losing weight whether it be a mere 10 pounds or 100
pounds or more. To prove beneficial, a program should include a fully
comprehensive agenda, consisting of a number of weight loss options and
plans, medical monitoring, and lifestyle education and exercise. A good
combination would be composed of medical practitioners experienced in
weight management (Bariatric Medicine), psychologists, dietitians, and
exercise specialists. Ultimately, plans should be offered with a choice
of either group or individual counseling and educational sessions. (See
www.weightmanagement.com)
As with any weight loss or exercise program, check with your doctor
prior to starting.
Benefits of weight loss:
Lowers high blood pressure
Improves control of diabetes
Improves cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Improves breathing and related disorders (sleep apnea)
Reduces stress on joints.
The Good News: If maintained, even small weight losses (as little as
5-10%) will improve your health and reduce the risk for some potentially
serious diseases.
