Diabetes
Also known as hyperglycemia, is a disease that occurs when the body does not produce insulin (type 1) or generated is insufficient (type 2), resulting in difficulty in using and controlling the levels of glucose, which accumulates in the blood. When the amount of sugar in the fluid is high begins to escape through the urine, and state the following:
- Excessive thirst.
- Increased appetite.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Weight loss.
- Fruity-smelling breath.
- Drowsiness.
- Blurred vision.
- Sometimes unconsciousness.
Although this disease has no specific cause is said to be connected with certain risk factors, including:
- Family history of disease.
- Viral infections that can affect the pancreas.
- Alterations of the body’s defense system, which leads to self-destruction of its own insulin-producing cells.
- Obesity.
- Poor eating habits.
- Little or no physical exercise.
Diagnosis is based on the above symptoms and blood tests and, once confirmed, the endocrinologist indicates administration of insulin when diabetes is type 1, while for type 2 medications are hiploglucemiantes (those lower glucose levels) and weight loss, and in both cases, recommends changes in diet, for example, reduce the consumption of simple carbohydrates (those with a sweet taste) and prefer complex (starch or rice), plus of eating fiber, fruits, vegetables, meat (low fat) and sugar substitutes.
It is very important to follow the treatment to the letter and keep glucose levels in check, because the people who are high for long periods may have injuries to eyes, kidneys and nerves, foot infections and heart attack.