DIABETES: The slow killer disease

Healthy living is not negotiable! Irrespective of the environment you find yourself, your life matters especially with the leading disease called Diabetes Mellitus commonly called Diabetes slowing consuming the human race. 

Diabetes Mellitus was first discovered 300 years ago by the ancient Egyptians. The term Diabetes was first coined by Araetus of Eappodocia (31-133AD). Later, the word Mellitus was added by Thomas Willis in 1675 after rediscovering the sweetness in the urine and blood of patient first noticed by the ancient Indians. 

Diabetes is a man-made illness that is caused by elevated level of glucose in the body. This simply means the sugar in the blood is more than required; it is the inability of the body to control the excess sugar that goes into the system. 

Although, they are speculations that diabetes is only associated with high sugar intake, research has proven that sugar intake factors could lead to this illness, which could be environmental factors, genetic factors and the individual lifestyle. 

Many individuals live with this illness and are not aware and this poses dangers to their health. Diabetes Mellitus could be properly managed when detected early enough with a proper adjustment of the individual lifestyle which includes eating habit, social lifestyle and physical activities. 

On the other hand, it could also result in deadly complication and even worse death. When neglected. 

This leads to the question, what is Diabetes? Diabetes is a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by combination of hereditary and environmental factor; it is usually characterized by inadequate utilization of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lowers the level of sugar in the blood: though having other classifications, diabetes mellitus is traditionally divided into two types which are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The type 1 diabetes is common among the young ones within the age bracket of 0-35, here the pancreas doesn't secrete insulin at all.

 While the type 2 diabetes is often associated with the aged people between 45 and above. In this case, the pancreas secrete insulin but the insulin is not enough to meet up with demand. 

Under the other classification, is the gestational diabetes which is found in women age 25 and above. This classification of diabetes is pregnancy influenced and most common if the woman is obese, have had a gestational diabetes during a past pregnancy or having a family history of type 2 diabetes. The bottom line of this is that, the mother can develop complications such as high blood pressure, she may also require cesarean delivery, which is commonly referred to as a C-section and the mothers risk of gestational diabetes in future pregnancies also increases. 

All these types and classifications, though having no cure for now, can be managed each having its own treatment and prescription given by a medical practitioner and possibly a dietitian. 

Having said all these, diabetes mellitus doesn't come without a sign, some of the primary symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, increase appetite, blurry vision, numb or tingling hands. 

 Medical expert noted that diabetic patients have polyphagia, which makes them eat always, they feel like they are hungry because the cells are not getting the nutrient they need and also they don't gain weight because the are starved, this particular symptom is common with type 1 diabetes.

the most common symptom is the uranium threshold of glucose excretion, normally we are not supposed to see sugar in the urine, but there is a level your sugar would get to, the sugar will start coming out in the urine, because sugar is an osmotic agent, that is having the ability to draw water to itself, so it draws water as it comes out in the urine, so a person starts to pass out excessive urine, in such that if the person is not using water closet, you can see ants gathering the urine signifying that there's something sweet in the urine. This person is losing excess water, he starts to drink more water, this is called polydipsia so they get thirsty easily. 

However, having been diagnosed with diabetes doesn't put a stop to one's journey; this is to say that you can still have your normal life even with the illness. One may ask how possible is this? the story of Alhaji Babangida explains this,

I'm Alhaji Babangida by name, 50years, I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 40 years old, I noticed I started passing out excess urine, internal heat and the inability of my injury to heal fast and dry skin. During this period, things were hard for me, and I was uncomfortable with my system. A week later, I went to the hospital for checkup and the Doctor asked some questions like- Do I take excess starch, sugar and alcohol? And I affirmed yes to sugar and starch since I don't take alcohol I said no. he asked if diabetes was a generational thing in my family but it was not. Series of test were carried out on me and when the results came, it was diabetes.

I was then told by the doctor to stay away from sugar and things that will increase the disease (Diabetes) and I was also advised to eat more of fish, wheat, bitter leaf, pumpkin leaf ( ugwu) okra, cabbage and several others. 

From the story of Alhaji Babangida, who have lived and still living with diabetes for ten years, it is evident that a normal life with this illness is very possible.  In living a normal life, the first thing a diabetic patient needs to do is rescheduling his/her lifestyle, this rescheduling is to accommodate the situation at hand. That is managing the situation. There are several precautions a patient has to note, thes includes engaging in physical activities like exercise, reducing the level of sugar intake, drinking lots of water and more importantly is a having a good diet. 

According to dietitians, diabetic patients are advised to reduce their level of sugar or total abstinence on the consumption of high glycemic foods, they are food that contain a high level of sugar.

 Diabetic patients are advised to go for food with low or medium glycemic foods, they are to reduce the level of carbonated drinks, package food and several other precautions. 

Medical experts advised people to cut down their level of sugar intake, follow a very low carbonated diet, minimize the intake of junk and be mindful of the nutritional value labeled on packaged foods, lose weight if overweight and above all make water a primary beverage. 

To keep the body in good health is our duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear. 

 Remember, a diagnosis of diabetes is not the end of your journey on earth.