Dealing with Diabetes. Part III. Symptoms and Signs of Type 2 Diabetes.

Now that you've become acquainted with Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors in the last post, let's move on to symptoms....

How would you suspect that someone you know may be suffering from diabetes?

Could you have diabetes type 2?

DIABETES TYPE 2 SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Excessive Hunger

Read this carefully...

courtesy youtube.com

Insulin's role is to help the sugar get into our body's cells.

The problem is when you suffer from diabetes there is less than usual, or very little.

Quite literally, you are eating food, but despite it being converted to sugar in the body, your cells can't access it, because there is no insulin to help the sugar inside the body's cells.

The body realizing that it's not receiving any food, and hence no energy, very wisely, will trigger your "hunger sensation" to inform you. 'Listen I need to be fed!!'

So you eat...and you eat,  and you do realise that you are eating more than usual.  

However, the more you eat, still, the hungrier you are, the more your body screams out "I need food!!"

courtesy fivehourdiabetic.com

The caveat is that your sugar level is rising as a result.

The food and energy your body's cells so desperately need is inside you but because there isn't enough insulin, the cells of your body can't access it in for energy.

Its an unfortunate cycle.

Unintended Weight Loss

 courtesy substance.com

In our communities this is usually the first thing you'll hear a villager comment on,

" So and so drap weight so quick me min deya say he/she mussa hab shugah, yuh know dah dey suck yuh dry..."

It does....not exactly in those terms, but you see, the body has to look for an alternative route for energy. I've already explained excessive hunger, we can piggy back off of that explanation.

Despite eating the cells of the body are unable to take in and use sugar due to a lowered amount of insulin, or a lack thereof in the blood.

Weight loss occurs because since the body (despite your best efforts to feed it) cannot get the energy it needs from sugar,  it wisely looks for alternatives.. "Ok, seems as if this human isn't feeding me, let me use something else to get some energy!"

Where does it look to? Fat and muscle. By burning those, the body get some of the energy it requires to keep itself going.

As a result however, all we see is that "so and so" is dropping weight all of a sudden.

Excessive Thirst

Thus the domino effect continues.

So far you have an idea that the excess amount of sugar in the blood is to be blamed for the symptoms. How does that translate into excessive thirst?

Let's get closer to home first. Bear with me.

Think of the black pineapple.

courtesy wes.com

Yes. The Black Pineapple. Trust that I'm going somewhere with this.

Antigua and Barbuda is notoriously drought ridden. The dry conditions of our climate, have been blamed for the concentrated sugary sweetness that is the Antigua black, more rain water according to older villagers would have produced a less sweeter pineapple.

How does this relate to you being thirsty more than usual?

More sugar in the pineapple, less rainwater in the pineapple. More sugar in blood, means less fluid in the blood.  As a result, to wisely compensate, the body now recruits fluid from out of the cells to dilute the sugar that's in the blood. It has to find a way to restore balance.

Can you imagine the predicament of the body's cells?

First, no sugar, no energy. This is despite the body generating hunger pangs to help give them what they need desperately. That was a failed mission, so they had to turn to the muscle and fat for help. Now on top of all that, it seems they now have to send out the fluid inside them into the blood stream because there is too much of the sugar (that they need!) on the outside. 

Imagine that jack.

Now there's a new cry. "Human, I'm dry!! Give me fluid!!"

courtesy www.healthcentral.com

...and thus begins the story of your excessive thirst.

As more fluid is pulled out of the body's cells to compensate for the high sugar on the outside, the thirstier you become, for the louder the body cries for fluid.

Fluid may even be recruited from the lenses of the eyes. This can result in another symptom. Blurred Vision.

Frequent Urination

Of course, the more fluid that you drink, the more you will urinate.

courtesy freemalaysiatoday.com

Also, urine may have a sweet odour.

This is because the kidney aren't able to re-absorb all the sugar out of the urine.

Slow healing cuts and/sores

You will notice that cuts and sores will take an abnormally longer amount of time to heal. This is because the high sugar content and decreased uptake of insulin contributes to a decrease in the body's cell response to tissue injury.

courtesy www.healthtap.com

Frequent infections

As a result of the high sugar levels, cells in  the immune system will not function as they ought.   

Our immune system is in charge of fighting disease and infections. If this barrier malfunctions this means the body is more open to infection.

Some persons may have frequent urinary tract infection, thrush, genital yeast infections, or recurrent skin infections.

If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms or signs with associated risk factors be sure to see your primary care physician.

I hope that this helped someone understand  diabetes a bit better.

Till next time, blessings to you and yours.

Stay #wadadlianstrong

©June 2016

Dealing with Diabetes. Part II. Risk Factors. Type II DM

In the last post we focused on the classification of Diabetes. 
Today we'll talk about risk factors that may predispose you to suffering from this common disease.

Let's focus on Diabetes Type II.
Risk factors for Diabetes Type II can be split into two parts. Risk factors that you can change, and those that you can't. First up, those you can't change, otherwise known as Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

These are the risk factors you have no power over. These include:

• Race - Person of African, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic and Native American descent are more likely to suffer from DM type II

• Age- generally the older you are the greater your risk. (N.B DM type II is increasingly being diagnosed in teenagers and children)

• Family History - if you have relatives that suffer from diabetes, this increases your risk.

• History of Gestational Diabetes - females who were diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy are at an increased risk for diabetes mellitus type II.

There are other risk factors however, that may be evident in your life currently, that you can change, these are known as:

MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

• Sedentary Lifestyle
  

• Obesity -  being overweight makes your body's cell less receptive to the effects of insulin.

• Unhealthy Diet

• Smoking

courtesy quitsmokingcommunity.org

Other modifiable risk factors include, high cholesterol levels, as well as high blood pressure levels.




There you have it. Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes.



How at risk are you? Here's a risk test from the American Diabetes Association.




Be sure to take it and to share it. Don't take your risk for shugah lightly.











Have you read the first post of this series on "Shugah" ? If not click here.
Next up Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus...See you soon
Stay #wadadlianstrong
Blessings to you and yours,





©June 2016

Pancreas and its Hormones. Sugar Control.

Have you ever wondered about what this "insulin thing" everyone talks about, in reference to Diabetes is?
Many of you may think of medication, when you hear insulin...which is good, because it is an important medication used to control diabetes; however, it is so much more...

Insulin is one of many important hormones in our body, it helps to regulate blood sugar levels and is made in an organ known as the pancreas.

What is the Pancreas?

This is a flat organ located near the small intestine that measures around 12 x 15cm. It might interest you to know it has a head, a body and a tail.

The pancreas is made up of different types of cells that secrete various hormones, we'll be focusing on two of these hormones today in order to understand how the pancreas helps to control your sugar.

• The A Cells/Alpha cells of the pancreas secrete a hormone called Glucagon.

  

   

• The B Cells/Beta cells of the pancreas secrete the hormone Insulin.

Think of the pancreas as a control centre, its (A)Alpha and (B) Beta cells go into action, when the sugar levels in your body is too low or too high. 

 GLUCAGON, INSULIN AND SUGAR CONTROL

 Let's consider how glucagon, the alpha/a cell hormone functions.

 

When your blood sugar is low, the pancreas begins to secrete glucagon from its alpha/a cells.

This state of low blood sugar is known as hypoglycaemia (hypo=under) (glyc=sweet)  (aemia=blood).
 Literally, undersweet blood. Imagine that, eh? :)

Back to Glucagon.

After being secreted glucagon's job is to go to another organ in the body, that we associate with alcohol...the liver.

Glucagon helps the liver to make glucose and release it into the bloodstream, as this happens the blood sugar level rises.

When the sugar level in the blood is high enough, this triggers glucagon to halt its work.

The takeaway point?  

Glucagon is a hormone that is secreted by the A/Alpha cells of the pancreas that raises blood sugar when it is low.

But what about the ever popular insulin?
Well insulin, as mentioned earlier is secreted by the beta/b cells of the pancreas, goes into action when your sugar level becomes too high. This state of high blood sugar is known as hyperglycaemia .

Tell me, if hypoglycaemia is undersweet blood, what do you think hyperglycaemia is?

Hyperglycaemia  is made up of (hyper=over), (glyc=sweet), (aemia=blood). Oversweet blood. Hyperglycaemia is just a more complex word to say this.

Let's talk about how insulin functions.

 

 Your blood sugar is high, and the beta/b cells of the pancreas start to secrete insulin.

The simple version is that insulin's job is to act on your body's cells helping them to increase their absorption of the excess sugar that is in your blood stream.

Once inside your body's cells, glucose is made into more complex substances for storage.

With glucose entering the cells, and being stored, your blood sugar level's fall.
When low enough, insulin's work is halted .

 Of course if the sugar level falls too low, glucagon is released once more to do its part.

The takeaway point?  

Insulin is a hormone released by the Beta/B cells of the pancreas that lowers the blood sugar when it is high.

This, my dears is how the pancreas controls your sugar through its hormones, insulin and glucagon.
Do you know how Diabetes is defined? Click here to find out more...

Remember to share the information you learn with your loved ones, and friends.
Visit our official facebook page and show some love with a thumbs up.
Blessings to you and yours.

 

©November 2015

Dealing with Diabetes. Part I. Definition. Classification.

Today we will start a series on Diabetes, better known to Antiguans & Barbudans as simply Shugah. 

These topics coincide with November being the month for Diabetes awareness.

First of all, do you understand what is meant by diabetes?

When you go to the hospital or visit your doctor you may hear the term Diabetes Mellitus.
Here's a super short history:

I'll just let that last line sink in for a moment...

courtesy www.lewisliveshere.com

 

Definition of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is a term representative of a range of symptoms and signs that stem from an increased level of sugar in the blood; this high sugar content is caused by either a total depletion of the body's insulin, or a significant decrease of the body's insulin compared to what is considered normal.

A mouthful really, but now you know what shugah really is in its simplest form.
Let's learn a bit about how its classified.
The bare essentials of course.

Diabetes Mellitus can come about under different circumstances in different people.
Here is a brief overview of a classification based on three groups.

• The Primary Group
• The Other (Specific Types)Group
• The Gestational Group

 

PRIMARY

 This is one of, if not the most popular groups that many people know about. Maybe not particularly grouped like this, but by its parts. The primary group is made up of:

1. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
2. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

N.B.
Diabetes Mellitus type 1 is also known as Juvenile Diabetes, since it usually is found in young adults and children. 

 OTHER

 This group basically encloses many other factors that directly cause Diabetes Mellitus. Examples of these are the following:

• Certain medications,for example corticosteroids.
• Pancreatic Diseases
• Increase of the body's production of hormones that influence a decrease in insulin production.
• Certain Genetic Syndromes, for example Down's Syndrome.

Last but not least, another group that is well known to Wadadlian's would be the...

GESTATIONAL

courtesy  www.about.com

 During pregnancy there is a vast amount hormonal changes occur, for some women, they become less responsive to insulin, and this causes an increase in blood sugar that can either end after their baby is born or continue on throughout their lives.

 courtesy healthline.com

There you have it. Diabetes Mellitus defined and classified. 
If you are interested in learning about how your body controls the sugar levels in the blood, click here.
Next up you'll learn about the symptoms and signs.
Stay #wadadlianstrong
Blessings to you and yours,

©November 2015

Yes. Men Can Suffer From Breast Cancer Too.

                                     images courtesy skinandweight.com & wickedroman.wordpress.com


Breast Cancer is usually associated with women, and for good reason as the disease is most common in women, also the word breast itself is synonymous to women, their fertility and sexuality.


However...though rare in comparison to female cases, male breast cancer does exist.
According to the United States 2015 breast cancer statistics 2,350 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2015, while around 440 men will die from the disease.


So how is it possible for men to get breast cancer, when men aren't considered to have breasts as women do?

It's simply because men do have breasts just like women. More accurately, breast tissue.

Before puberty both sexes have a small amount of breast tissue, however, after puberty the female hormone from the ovaries cause the breast tissue in girls to grow progressively while the enter into womanhood, while boys grow into men with non-functioning breast tissue.

While male breast cancer is still being researched, there are risk factors that every man should consider.

RISK FACTORS OF MALE BREAST CANCER

• Age

courtsy healthymagazine.com

Just like women, men have an increased risk of breast cancer as their age increases. Breast cancer in men is associated with ages 68 to 71.

• Family History and Genetics

Men who have had family members who have suffered from breast cancer are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Especially if there are men in the family that have had breast cancer. According to the American Cancer society 1 of 5 men with breast cancer have a close female or male relative with the disease.

Men with genetic mutation are also at risk. Specifically those such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

• Obesity

courtesy gunnercooke.com

Men that suffer from obesity are also at risk for breast cancer, as obese men may carry higher levels of oestrogen.

• Alcohol Use

courtesy forbes.com

Men who drink heavily also develop an increased risk for breast cancer due to harmful effects on the liver, a damaged liver can lower male hormone levels increasing their susceptibility.

• Liver Disease

For the same reasons mentioned above, liver disease can increase a man's risk of breast cancer.

• Testicle Surgery or Testicle Disease 

courtesy stpeterurology.com

Men who have had a testicle removed, or have suffered from inflammation of the testicles also develop a risk of suffering from breast cancer.

Read about more risk factors by clicking on the links below:

American Cancer Society

Mayo Clinic

BreastCancer.Org

PECS ARE THERE FOR MORE THAN ADMIRING

Men are encouraged to the the male breast self-examination, especially if they have an increased risk of having breast cancer.

To see a video of the male breast self examination click the picture below:

 courtesy skatelogforum.com

For more information on the Male Self Breast Examination click here.

It is advised that men should check their pecs for any lumps, the signs of breast cancer in women are similar to that of men. For more details click here.

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR

PROBLEMS WITH EARLY DETECTION IN MALES

First of all men tend to not check their pecs for lumps this is one of the contributing factors to decreased detection of the early stages of breast cancer in men, also quite important is the fact that men are less likely to visit a doctor even if they may have a suspicion that something may be wrong...as a result male breast cancer is detected usually in its late stages where survival rates are significantly less.

The point of this post is to make everyone, especially men, keenly aware that breast cancer isn't just a woman's disease, there are people who have lost their fathers, brothers and uncles to breast cancer.

Remember to share the risk factors with the men in your life, and if they have an increased risk ensure that they get checked.

Fellas, if you've found a lump or have  any of the warning signs mentioned above, don't ignore it, early detection is key in breast cancer survival.

Today is the last day in October, but breast cancer awareness doesn't end with the month. Keep reading and sharing and educating yourself and your loved ones.

Blessings to you and yours
#wadadlianstrong

 © October 2015

Breast Cancer Awareness. Risk Factors

What are the warning signs of breast cancer?
Do you remember? I f you don't check out the last post here.

I believe we all know someone who is suffering from, suffered from, or passed away because of this disease, it maybe a friend or a friend of a friend, or for some of us, much closer to home...

Have you ever wondered what factors may make some persons more vulnerable to breast cancer?
Well, you're about to find out, since this post is all about the risk factors of breast cancer.

RISK FACTORS OF BREAST CANCER

To make these risk factors easier to understand let's sort them into those you cannot control, and those risk factors that are related to your lifestyle and for the most part are controllable.

RISK FACTORS YOU CANNOT CONTROL

• Age

 

There is an increased risk of developing breast cancer as your age increases. According to the American Cancer Society, two in three women over 55 years have been found to have invasive breast cancer.

• Sex

 

Just being a female is a risk factor. Females tend to higher levels of oestrogen and progesterone which contribute to cancerous cell growth.

• Age of First and Last Menstruation

 Women who menstruate earlier and start menopause later are at risk. To be more specific, women who began their first period before the age of twelve and women who begin menopause after age fifty-five or later are at risk.

•   Family History and Family Genetics

 

 courtesy curlynikki.com

Chances are your risk of having breast cancer is higher, if other persons in your family also have had or have the disease. If your mother or sister has had breast cancer your risk is doubled, if both have had it your risk increases.

There are also gene mutations that also play a role in the manifestation of breast cancer, recently the most popularized has been the BRCA gene which is most commonly linked to person with Eastern European Jewish heritage, but there are many others.

• Ethnicity and Race 

   
  Faith by Annelie Solis

Women of African descent are at a higher risk for breast cancer, along with Caucasian women when compared to women of Asian descent.

There are many studies as far as race and ethnicity is concerned in America, but as far as our region is concerned not as many. However, I did find a study by the Barbados National Cancer Study Group in 2009 where the authors explain:

"Comparisons of breast cancer incidence across the African diaspora demonstrate a gradient, with rates being lowest in West Africa, higher in the Caribbean and highest among African-Americans."

It would be excellent to have a study comoparing the incidence in not only Afro-Caribbean peoples but those of Indian, Chinese, Syrians, and European descent in our region.

• Breast Cancer History

If you are a breast cancer survivor, you are still at risk for re-developing breast cancer in another part of the affected breast or in the other breast. Always keep following up with your health care professional, and continue self-checks. Never forget that early detection increases survival rates.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO LIFESTYLE

• Alcohol Use

Alcohol use is directly linked with breast cancer risk. Increased consumption increases risk. Some studies suggest it may be related to the increase oestrogen levels that alcohol causes in the body. Read more here.

• Birth Control Use

courtesy verwell.com

Women who use birth control pills have been proven to have an increased risk of breast cancer, however this risk decreases when its use is discontinued. All women who plan on using birth control pills as a contraceptive method ought to have a detailed discussion with their health care providers about the risks relating to breast cancer.

• Age of Childbirth

Women who give birth after the age of 30 have increased risk of developing breast cancer as opposed to women who give birth at an earlier age. However in certain instances being pregnant can increase the risk of breast cancer.

• Breast feeding

 

courtesy rmchildren.org

Breastfeeding has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 5 to 10 percent, especially in women who continue to do so between 1- 2 years. Read more here.

• Physical Activity

 courtesy playbuzz.com

Physical activity is now being shown to play a factor in decreasing the risk of breast cancer. While persons with sedentary lifestyles, and persons who suffer from obesity have increased risk of developing the disease.

                                       

courtesy pinterest.com

You must remember, that it is possible for a person to have one or more of these risk factors without ever confronting this disease, whereas another person may have little or no risk factors, and develop breast cancer. Risk factors are not a death sentence, but rather indicators of the potential one has to present with the disease.

Read other articles about breast cancer risk factors below:

American Cancer Association

Susan G. Komen

*Remember  if you haven't had a mammogram and you are age 40 and above it would be wise to do so. Of course if you have a strong presence of breast cancer in your family it would be even wiser to begin screening earlier.*

What about men though? 
When addressing breast cancer we usually focus on women, but the fact of the matter is... men also suffer from the disease.

Look out for the next post where we'll talk a bit about men and breast cancer as a special topic.

Remember to share this with a friend or family member who may not know these risk factors.

Stay #wadadlianstrong

Blessings to you and yours,

 © October 2015