Categories
Popular Search Terms
yarrow cancer headache fruit bark nettle sex numbness fatigue pregnant Logan expectorant blurred vision lehsun bacterial Devil Herbalist chesnok lavender boldo camphor Thank you. Herbalist ivy sage acidophilus kidney yarrow yerba acidophilus dandelion gingko Thank you Tuberculosis allspice passionflower breathing schisandra Sucrose Thank you Herbalist fennel marijuana heart attack laparios dry
Diabetes
Contributor: Admin
Overview
Type 1 and Type 2
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's own immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas (called beta cells).
Normally, the body's immune system fights off foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria. But for unknown reasons, in people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks various cells in the body. This results in a complete deficiency of the insulin hormone.
Some people develop a type of diabetes – called secondary diabetes -- which is similar to type 1 diabetes, but the beta cells are not destroyed by the immune system but by some other factor, such as cystic fibrosis or pancreatic surgery.
The Causes for Type 1 Diabetes
Doctors don't know all the factors that lead to type 1diabetes. Clearly, the susceptibility to the condition can be inherited.
Doctors have identified that an environmental trigger plays a role in causing the disease. Type 1 diabetes appears to occur when something in the environment -- a toxin or a virus (but doctors aren't sure) -- triggers the immune system to mistakenly attack the pancreas and destroy the beta cells of the pancreas to the point where they can no longer produce sufficient insulin. Markers of this destruction -- called autoantibodies -- can be seen in most people with type 1 diabetes. In fact, they are present in 85% to 90% of people with the condition when the blood sugars are high.
Because it's an autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes can occur along with other autoimmune diseases such as hyperthyroidism from Grave's disease or the patchy decrease in skin pigmentation that occurs with vitiligo.
Symptoms
• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and occasionally Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
• Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
• Blurred vision
• Heavy, labored breathing (Kussmaul respiration)
• Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract or Vagina
Signs of an emergency with type 1 diabetes include:
• Shaking and confusion
• Rapid breathing
• Fruity smell to the breath
• Abdominal Pain
• Loss of consciousness (rare)
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can run in families, but the exact nature of how it's inherited or the identity of a single genetic factor is not known. Anyone can get type 2 diabetes. However, those at highest risk for the disease are those who are obese or overweight, women who have had gestational diabetes, people with family members who have type 2 diabetes and people who have metabolic syndrome (a cluster of problems that include high cholesterol, high triglycerides, low good 'HDL' cholesterol and a high bad 'LDL' cholesterol and high Blood pressure). In addition, older people are more susceptible to developing the disease since aging makes the body less tolerant of sugars.
Type 2 diabetes, often called non-insulin dependant diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 90% - 95% of the 18.2 million people with diabetes.
Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, the insulin their pancreas secretes is either not enough or the body is unable to recognize the insulin and use it properly. This is called insulin-resistance. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, Glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells. When Glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to function properly. Other problems associated with the build up of Glucose in the blood include:
• Dehydration. The build up of sugar in the blood can cause an increase in urination (to try to clear the sugar from the body). When the kidneys lose the Glucose through the urine, a large amount of water is also lost, causing dehydration.
• Hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma. When a person with type 2 diabetes becomes severely dehydrated and is not able to drink enough fluids to make up for the fluid losses, they may develop this life-threatening complication.
• Damage to the body. Over time, the high Glucose levels in the blood may damage the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart and predispose a person to Atherosclerosis (hardening) of the large arteries that can cause heart attack and Stroke.
Who Gets Type 2 Diabetes?
Causes
Symptoms
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes vary from person to person but may include:
• Increased thirst.
• Increased hunger (especially after eating).
• Dry mouth.
• Nausea and occasionally Vomiting.
• Frequent urination.
• Fatigue (weak, tired feeling).
• Blurred vision.
• Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet.
• Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract or Vagina.
Rarely, a person may be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after presenting to the hospital in a diabetic coma.
Treatment
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Among the several home remedies that have proved beneficial in controlling diabetes, perhaps the most important is the use of bitter melon. It has lately been established that bitter gourd contains a hypoglycemic or insulin-like principle, designated as 'plant insulin', which has been found valuable in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. It should, therefore, be included liberally in the diet of the diabetic. For better results, the diabetic should take the juice of about four or five karelas every morning on an empty stomach. The seeds can be added to food in a powdered form. Diabetics can also use bitter gourd in the form of a decoction by boiling the pieces in water or in the form of dry powder.
Jambul Fruit (Syzygium cumini/jambolanum)
Jambul fruit is another effective home remedy. It is regarded in traditional medicine as a specific against diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas. It possesses the ability to lower blood sugar levels and reduce sugar in the urine; best for the beginning stages of type II, non-insulin diabetes. The fruit as such, the seeds, and fruit juice are all useful in the treatment of this disease. The seeds contain a glucoside 'jamboline' which is believed to have the power to check the pathological conversion of starch into sugar in cases of increased production of Glucose. The seeds should be dried and powdered. One teaspoon of this powder should be mixed in one cup of milk or water or half a cup of curd, and taken twice daily.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a splendid food in the diet of a diabetic patient. If grapefruits were eaten more liberally, there would be much less diabetes. If you have sugar, use three grapefruits three times a day. If you do not have sugar, but a tendency towards it and want to prevent it, use three a day.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum)
The seeds of fenugreek have been found effective in the treatment of diabetes. Fenugreek seeds, when given in varying doses of 25 gm to 100 gm daily, diminish reactive hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. Levels of Glucose, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides were also significantly reduced in the diabetes patients when the seeds were consumed.
Bengal Gram (Black chick-pea)
Experiments have shown that the intake of water extract of Bengal gram enhances the utilization of Glucose in both diabetic and normal persons. When kept on a diet which included liberal supplements of Bengal gram extract, the condition of tile patient improved considerably and his insulin requirement was reduced to about twenty units per day. Diabetes patients who are on a prescribed diet which does not severely restrict the intake of carbohydrates, but includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown considerable improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, Glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar, and general condition.
Black Gram (Urad)
For a milder type of diabetes, two tablespoons of germinated black gram, taken with half a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice and a teaspoon of Honey, is said to be useful. It should be taken once daily for three to four months. A restriction should be placed on the intake of carbohydrates. Even in severe cases, regular use of this combination, with other precautions, is useful as a health-giving food for the prevention of various complications that may arise due to malnutrition in diabetics.
Parslane
The seeds of parslane are useful in diabetes. A teaspoon of the seeds should be taken every day with half a cup of water for three to four months. It will increase the body's own insulin and help in curing diabetes.
Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridum)
Normalizes blood sugar, balances fluctuations, regulates adrenals. It’s insulinl-like activity in adult-onset diabetes is best suited for those who are slightly overweight. It reduces high blook pressure and blood lipids. Devil’s Club acts as an immune stimulant and adaptogen, similar to its relative, ginseng. A Tincture of Devil’s Club of 2-4 ml should be taken 3 times a day.
