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Tuesday, May 1. 2007
The first time I heard the term "polyuria", I wasn't scared. I felt that it was a little too tame a name for something that keeps a person occupied with his bodily fluids 24/7. When I was doing interviews with people who had diabetic symptoms back in New Orleans, the word itself struck fear among the patients. Imagine visiting the omnipresent public bathroom every 15 minutes or so, pissing a saucerful, and then going to the kitchen to get something to drink. Polyuria and polydipsia go together.
Monday, April 30. 2007
 There was one patient that actually fell on the floor one time and just writhed. I imagined it was a possible episode of epilepsy, but it wasn't. The loss of calcium resulted in his violent spasms. The scary thing about this urinating excessively is that it causes a disturbance in the body chemistry. This symptom, along with excessive drinking, springs from the brain, the kidneys, and the fluids in the body. It may begin from as early as infancy.
Sunday, April 29. 2007
A person who is urinating excessively has compounds in the bodily fluid that causes this nonstop release of water. Also, if there is any disease in the kidney, there is loss of control over the fluid release. The pituitary gland in the brain controls the urine flow from the kidneys - but polyuria destroys this ability to control the urinary tendencies. My brother once joked that if anyone among us suffers from polyuria, there should always be a constant supply of tampon and diapers in the backpack.
Thursday, April 12. 2007
 There are two major complications of diabetes. The first is macrovascular complications which involve damage to the large blood vessels of the heart, brain, and legs. The other complication is termed as microvascular, which involves damages to the small blood vessels that cause problems in the eyes, kidneys, feet, and nerves.
In connection with this, based on the study in Australia, cardiovascular disease topped the list as the leading cause of the deaths of most Australian. These diseases include blood vessel disease, heart attack, and stroke. Therefore, there is higher risk for people with diabetes because they have more cholesterol and high blood pressure levels. When these conditions go together with an increased blood glucose levels, there is also a possible increase in cardiovascular disease risk. Smokers who are inactive and with family history of cardiovascular disease have an increased risk.
So if you already know that you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, it is only proper to be more careful. As they say, prevention is better than cure, so take extra effort to avoid these diseases. Or else, you will be the one to suffer. If you have a family that is depending on you, it's just right to take care of yourself.
Monday, March 26. 2007
While diabetes is a disease that is widely known to cause several physical complications including future effects on one's eyesight, little data are presented on the effects of diabetes on the personality make up of the hapless victims of the disorder.
A change in the personality of many diabetics is not entirely impossible, especially when the patient is hypoglycemic. The human brain knows that the body could die if it does not get the needed sugar. Hence, it reacts, often a bit violently resulting in changes in the person's moods or behavior. A diabetic who is known to be quiet and shy can suddenly become overly aggressive because his brain is sending danger signals that it is in urgent need of sugar, that is, the blood sugar count has reached alarming levels and needs to be replenished fast.
Often, the uninitiated may get surprised, perhaps even shocked, to see his diabetic loved one undergo sudden changes in his behavior. Often, he or she needs to be told that such behavior changes are normal for people suffering from diabetes. When the change in mood occurs, it should be a signal for him or her that the patient's blood sugar count is at its lowest and medication is needed fast.
Saturday, March 24. 2007
A silent killer. This is what most doctors say about diabetes since the symptoms and signs are usually overlooked by most people. Frequently, diabetic patients do not realize that they got the early signs of the said ailment, until a doctor examines and informs them.
Diabetes is known to occur if a person's pancreas does not produce the right amount of insulin that the body requires. Such condition is also called as the Type 1 diabetes. Ont he other hand, Type II diabetes is when body cells resist to the body's insulin component and also when the body does not utilize the insulin at a certain time. Type II diabetes, however, is usually common to adults. Type II diabetes, meanwhile, is said to be avoidable through the means of proper nutritional diet, weight management, and exercise. Extreme weight loss, difficulty in urination and erection for males, blurry vision, and fatigue are among the common symptoms and signs of diabetes.
Moreover, medical experts say that diabetes test is quick and easy because it only needs a simple test for glucose as a diabetes modifier. Most people are unaware that they have diabetes since their usual complaints are very much the same with the common complaints of people who are not diabetic. With such, diabetes goes undiagnosed for a long period before it is traced or treated.
Monday, February 5. 2007
One of the leading causes of death in the world is diabetes. A lot of people live with this illness, and suffer from different complications. Diabetes can occur to anyone; but those who have family or relatives with diabetes are at high risk. And, obese people are more likely to have the ailment. Also, older people have higher chances to have diabetes.
Diabetes shows some symptoms. But, one of the usual signs of diabetes is being thirsty. If you notice that you are experiencing unusual thirst, and you urinate more than the usual urination routine, then, it's better to see your doctor. Although not all thirsty feeling are due to diabetes, it's still wiser to consult your doctor to check your condition. Feeling tired and losing weight without knowing the causes are the other symptoms of diabetes.
Water is the most important component of our body. Thus, aside from food, we need water to survive. But, if being thirsty becomes a problem, you must check the cause. Especially if you have a diabetes history in the family, you should let your doctor diagnose your physical condition.
Sunday, February 4. 2007
When the doctors tell you that prevention is better than cure, theyre serious about it. And that goes especially for patients inflicted with diabetes. Kidney failure is but one of the many symptoms of diabetes and it continues to be one of the leading causes of deaths in people having diabetes.
Kidney disorder related to diabetes undergoes a long process and usually takes sometime to develop. During the early stages, heperfiltration occurs wherein the filtering function of the kidney happens in abnormal rate. After a few years, patients who develop kidney illness may suffer from microalbuminuria, wherein small doses of a protein in the blood called albumin goes into the urine. And this leaking goes on increasing causing the filtration process of the kidney to drop. When this happens, the body may have difficulty excreting certain wastes which could be dangerous. It could result to total damage of the kidney or other complications such as high blood pressure.
Nevertheless, theres always hope through medical research. At the onset of the rising occurrence in mortality of patients that both suffer from diabetes and kidney damage, research has already played a big role in finding for cure and maybe means of prevention.
Sunday, January 21. 2007
Diabetes can really affect so many other organs in the body. That is why you really need to take extra care of your body when dealing with diabetes. You would not know what it can attack next. You need to be sure that you are taking the right medication and you need to do your regular exercise regimen to keep your body healthy and productive.
In America, almost 15 million Americans are suffering from erectile dysfunction. It is also called impotence. This is basically difficulty of having an erection while doing a sexual act. Adult men who have diabetes would most probably suffer from erectile dysfunction. This is because of the many vessels that the diabetes disease affects.
Erectile dysfunction is curable. There are many ways to treat it. If you are experiencing impotence, you can go to your doctor and ask for its prescription drugs. You can also attend a psychotherapy class or drug therapy. If you are not up for confrontation with a psychotherapist, you can try out the "vacuum devices". So, if you are a diabetic and you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, there are more ways than one to cure it.
Sunday, December 24. 2006
 Diabetes is quickly becoming the leading disease in America. Many people may be aware of diabetes, but they don't know how it really develops. People should be aware of diabetes' basic symptoms. Even if you think that you are not a plausible candidate for diabetes, you really cannot tell. Some people think that they are already living a healthy lifestyle, so they don't bother to go to the doctor for a checkup. Some think that having regular gym workouts are enough. So, what are the basic symptoms of diabetes?
People who have developed diabetes are more likely to experience things that are not pointing to the disease itself. The type 1 diabetes symptoms are like those of any other bad, dry day, but really it might be diabetes for you. If you're always too thirsty, you're experiencing a dry mouth, you go to the loo more often than before, you lose uncontrollable weight even if you eat a lot, you are always feeling exhausted and heavy, and your eye sight is becoming blurry, then you possibly have the type 1 diabetes. This means that your body does not produce enough insulin to help the sugar from your food be transformed into energy. So, if you want to be sure about your health, you have to go to your doctor and have a "fasting plasma glucose test". This would assure you that you are free of the disease or if, in fact, you have it.
Sunday, December 10. 2006
 Visual impairment is one of the main symptoms of diabetes. This symptom is called diabetic retinopathy which means the damage of the retina due to diabetes. This symptom can get complicated and may result to blindness.
This symptom occurs when the tiny blood vessels of the retina are injured due to diabetes. At the first stages, the small blood vessels in the retina leak causing the diabetic patient to have blurry vision. Abnormal blood vessels may grow later and cause severe visual impairment.
People who have these symptoms should immediately consult their doctor. Get regular eye exams to see how the visual impairment can be repaired. Diabetes patients should refrain from smoking, control their blood pressure and maintain their blood sugars at low level to reduce the risk of complications due to diabetes. Eat foods that have lots of Vitamin Also, it can help your eyes reduce its blurry vision. Surgery might cure this complication but it is more ideal to have it treated before it gets worse.
Blindness is the last thing a diabetic patient will want. Be sure to visit your ophthalmologist and diabetes doctor for immediate treatment.
Saturday, December 2. 2006
Diabetes mellitus is a treacherous disease similar to the dreaded cancer disease. Diabetes can suddenly strike without any regard for age or social status. The early symptoms of diabetes are not painful or easily noticeable. Hence, an individual may already be suffering from diabetes for a relatively longer period of time without even noticing it. The symptoms are varied and do not seem to correlate. Although the diseases caused by diabetes are already known to medical doctors for centuries, the exact mechanism of the disease was not discovered until 1922. Two Canadian scientists accidentally discovered the mechanism of the disease in a laboratory in the University of Toronto in 1922. They were experimenting with digestion using surgically treated dogs. The pancreases of the dogs were removed. The result was that the dogs developed diabetic symptoms.
Diabetes is not a contagious disease like HIV infection or influenza infection. Diabetes cannot be transferred from one person to another by mere social contacts. Rather, the genetic pre-disposition to acquire diabetes is passed on from parents to offspring.
Symptoms of diabetes include the feeling of extreme thirst which is experienced more frequently. This is clinically called polydipsia. This results to frequent urination or polyuria. The combined feelings of tiredness and frequent hunger, which are also common symptoms of diabetes, is called polyphagia. Diabetes, in advance stage, may also cause rapid loss of weight. Diabetes also results in many complications such as glaucoma, gangrene, and kidney failure.
Sunday, November 19. 2006
 There are diseases that are caused by pathogens such as herpes simplex virus and human immunodeficiency virus. These types of diseases are the result of viral multiplication and invasion of the body cells which result in the destruction of these cells. These diseases are contagious or can be transferred from one person to another. The mode of transfer is direct body contact. However, there are also viral infections such as the common cold that can be transferred via air. Diseases caused by microscopic organisms are preventable, to some extent, through lifestyle modification and vaccines. On the other hand, there are diseases which are caused by genetic predisposition such as prostrate cancer and diabetes.
Diabetes, on the other hand, is not the result of an infection, but rather the consequence of organ malfunction. When the pancreas fails to produce the appropriate amount of insulin, diabetes Mellitus is the result. Diabetes is actually a set of diseases that is characterized by the inability of the body cells to absorb glucose. Diabetes complications include glaucoma, kidney failure, gangrene, heart attack, and coma. The risk of developing diabetes can be minimized by lifestyle modifications such avoiding high calorie food and getting regular exercise. The three basic diabetes symptoms are usually termed as the three P’s. The three P’s are polyphagia or getting hungry more often, polyuria or over urination, and polydipsia or unusual and periodic thirst.
Friday, November 17. 2006
 Diabetes is a common disease. It is the inability of a body to produce or to not use insulin. Insulin helps in the conversion of sugar and starches into body energy. Without insulin, the body cannot function properly and is always under fatigue.
I'm sure all of us know a person who is suffering from diabetes or someone who has a relative that has diabetes. There is no sure answer as to what causes diabetes. There are researches that say diabetes is hereditary. Obesity and lack of exercise may also cause diabetes.
I have a grandmother who has diabetes. She has just turned 70 last year and still very active. Unfortunately, her diabetes limits her being active. She is always tired and is always thirsty. She is now wearing diapers because she can't control her frequent urination.
Even though she is suffering from diabetes, it doesn't dampen her spirit one bit. She even says that because of diabetes she is slimmer and sexier now. She does miss eating chocolates though. So from time to time, we give her a small piece of chocolate. This is only during birthdays, Thanksgiving or family gatherings.
She is now giving me warnings that I might inherit diabetes from her so I must stay away from too much sweet food. I told her that I am not a fan of sweets anyway. I also told her that I go to the gym once a week.
As much as I can, I try to show my grandma support. I still hope I don't inherit her illness, although like her, I think it won't dampen my spirit a bit.
Monday, October 2. 2006
 Polydipsia simply means abnormally excessive thirst. Diabetics experience this as the body's way of telling the brain that it needs to produce more diluted blood, since a diabetic has high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia). A diabetic always urinates (polyuria) and this is one of the reasons why he suffers another symptom which is weight loss. He cannot metabolize the food that he eats even if it is beyond what his diet requires (polyphagia)--and this goes down the drain eventually.
A diabetic person also gets tired too soon. This is because the glucose in his body can hardly be converted to useful body fuel. It resorts to breaking down fat instead, and thus results in exhaustion. You may also wonder why diabetic wounds are almost impossible to heal. The absence of white blood cells caused by glycemia disables the healing process and is exacerbated by poor blood circulation. Finally, the more visible symptoms manifest in the person's changed attitude; he has become moody, agitated, irritable and harder to get along with.
Thursday, September 21. 2006
The common symptoms of diabetes are frequent hunger, urination, and thirst. Others also include fatigue, irritability, and weight loss. The case, nevertheless is different with type 2 diabetes. Since the increase of blood sugar is slow, it often takes a long time before the symptoms start to appear or before the disease itself is diagnosed.
Since it has no immediate symptoms, type 2 diabetes is usually found during a regular examination or check up for another kind of disease such as high blood pressure, infection, or unhealed wounds. When this type of diabetes worsens, the patient may suffer from poor vision, kidney disorder, nerve problems, and h eart related diseases.
Since the symptoms of type 2 diabetes only appear at an advanced stage, it is best for people to visit their doctor regularly especially if the disease is part of their family medical history.
Saturday, June 17. 2006
We've tackled Hypoglycemia before, now let's talk about Hyperglycemia.
Hyperglycemia ( from the Greek words hyper - "too much", glyc - "sweet", emia - "of the blood") is the main sign that a person has Diabetes. Having too much blood sugar also shows it. The main culprit in the development of Hyperglycemia is obesity. Having too much body fat impedes the body's ability to properly utilize insulin in the storage of glucose. The glucose gets stored not in the body's cells, but in the blood, thereby causing Diabetes.
If you feel fatigued, hungry all the time, dizzy and have the need to urinate often, the perhaps it's time you were diagnosed for Hyperglycemia.
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