Diabetes Mellitus Chronic Complications - What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetes is chronic disease which affects the major organs of the body, including the eye leading to diabetic retinopathy. The retina is the innermost layer of the eye and it is the part of the eye that is primarily affected in diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy causes about 12,000 -24000 new cases of blindness in the United States alone and it is the leading cause of blindness amongst adults aged between20-74 years. It will affect most people with diabetes, the risk increases with the length of diabetes, the longer the diabetes, the higher the risk. Diabetic retinopathy leads to visual impairment and if not treated it leads to blindness, but loss of vision is preventable and treatable if managed in a timely manner.



Symptoms
Diabetic retinopathy progresses slowly without any noticeable symptom and the first symptom may be a severe vision limiting event.



Predisposing factors
-Long duration of disease
-Poor glucose sugar control
-Increased blood pressure
-High serum lipid concentration
-Pregnancy
-Anemia
-Kidney disease



Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy
In type 2 diabetes examination of the eye by an eye doctor{ophthalmologist} must be done first at diagnosis and then subsequently once every year. In type1 examination after 12 years of age and it must be done 3-5 years after diagnosis. The retinal examination is done with an opthalmoscope.



Management
The key to successful management is prevention.
Interventions are most useful when they are carried out early in the disease, before severe retinal damage is done. Management involves:



a} good glucose control
b} control of lipids
c} control of blood pressure
d} surgical treatment: laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy are 2 different eye surgeries that can be used to treat it.



Diabetes mellitus can also lead to other chronic complications which a diabetic also needs to be aware of.

Diabetes Mellitus - An Introduction To This Common Chronic Disease

Diabete è stato conosciuto per secoli, anche se non è stato completamente compreso, e la malattia prende il nome dal greco "passando" a causa di uno dei suoi principali sintomi - produzione eccessiva di urina. Durante il XV secolo la parola mellito era dal latino per "miele" quando è stato osservato che molti pazienti con diabete avevano alti livelli di zucchero nel sangue e delle urine.



Diabete mellito, che è semplicemente definito come diabete in questi giorni, è una malattia metabolica che colpisce in particolare il metabolismo dei carboidrati. La condizione richiede cure mediche e, più spesso, un certo numero di cambiamenti di stile di vita.



Per funzionare correttamente il corpo umano richiede una fonte di energia e questo deriva dal cibo che mangiamo. Una dieta normale è composto da una miscela di carboidrati, proteine e grassi con contabilità per fino a tre quarti di questo mix di carboidrati. Ci sono una vasta gamma di alimenti di alta di carboidrati (a volte indicato come alto tenore di fecola) e questi includono pane, crusca, cereali, fagioli, riso e pasta.



Cibo è ripartito dal processo digestivo in una varietà di composti organici e uno di questi, che costituisce la fonte primaria del corpo di energia, è il glucosio. Glucosio è quindi trasportato in varie parti del corpo dal sangue e viene trasferito alle cellule del corpo per alimentare sia crescita cellulare e la riparazione delle cellule.



Un elemento essenziale nel processo di trasferimento è la presenza di insulina nel sangue. Insulina è prodotto da cellule specializzate (note come beta-cellule) che si trovano in una zona del pancreas chiamato isole di Langerhans.



Chi soffre di diabete rientrano in due grandi categorie - quelli con diabete di tipo 1 (precedentemente conosciuto come diabete "giovanile" o "infanzia") e quelli con tipo diabete 2 (o adulto). C'è anche detto di essere una terza forma di diabete noto come tipo 3 o diabete gestazionale ma, nonostante il fatto che ci sono alcune differenze, questo è praticamente nulla più di diabete di tipo 2, che si verifica durante e a causa della gravidanza.



Nel tipo di malati di 1 diabete sviluppano un problema con l'insulina producendo cellule beta del pancreas e sono in grado di produrre insulina sufficiente per trasferire il glucosio dal sangue alle cellule del corpo. Questo significa che è necessario monitorare attentamente i livelli nel sangue e per la somministrazione di insulina così che il glucosio può essere trasferito e i livelli di glucosio nel sangue tornata normale.



Nel diabete di tipo 2 il corpo di solito continua a produrre insulina normalmente ma le cellule del corpo e sviluppare una resistenza ad esso e livelli di insulina iniziano ad aumentare nel sangue. Nelle prime fasi del diabete di tipo 2, che questo spesso può essere contrastato riducendo l'assunzione di glucosio producendo carboidrati, esercizio e perdita di peso, specialmente quando la perdita di peso è volto a rimuovere il grasso dalla zona dell'addome. Se questo approccio non fa il trucco della condizione può solitamente controllata attraverso l'uso di farmaci.



Non esiste attualmente alcuna cura per tipo 1 o diabete di tipo 2 e, mentre il trattamento solitamente può notevolmente ridurre i sintomi di entrambi, la maggior parte delle persone affette da richiederà il trattamento in corso per tutta la vita.

One Symptom of Diabetes - Chronic Fatigue

Many of the symptoms of diabetes can be so subtle that often times the signs of diabetes can go undetected by those that are diagnosed with the disease. Chronic fatigue is one of those symptoms.



Unfortunately most times it can be quite easy to overlook many of the symptoms of diabetes, for example, frequent feelings of thirst, more than the usual sweet cravings as well as slight feelings of depression are symptoms that are associated with many different conditions and diseases. Diabetics can often go without any knowledge that they are indeed suffering from such a devastating disease, and then all suddenly they're hit with a heart attack or stroke, which reveals the devastating news that not only did they just suffer a heart attack or stroke but that he or she is also suffering from diabetes.



Situations like the one previously stated are becoming more and more frequent as millions of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Because the symptoms of diabetes can masquerade as so many other less threatening problems, often times many people never think a condition that they may be facing at the moment could actually be a pre diabetes symptom.



For example feelings of exhaustion can be one of the telltale symptoms of diabetes. But how many times have any one of us you have ever gone to bed feeling exhausted only to arise with the same feelings of exhaustion? This could be attributed to a host of things. Believe it or not often times an overall feeling of being tired all of the time can be one of the signs of diabetes.



It is important to pay attention to one's own body. If you are going to bed at a reasonable hour that is sufficient enough that it should provide an adequate amount of sleep, and you are still feeling tired upon arising in the mornings, it may be time to discuss this with your health care provider. He or she can prescribe tests that can evaluate your blood sugar level that will determine if in fact you are experiencing any symptoms of diabetes. If you are at risk for diabetes more tests will likely be prescribed.



If high blood sugar levels happen to be what is causing your fatigue then you can take steps that will help to combat these symptoms of diabetes. Unfortunately many people are unaware of the fact that they are walking around with the onset of diabetes. By the time they discover that their symptoms where in fact diabetes, much more damage has began the damage to their bodies. This unfortunately can play havoc in so many people's lives



For example, often time feeling tired is not only one of the symptoms of diabetes but it is also often acquainted with the flu or even the common cold. Extreme feelings of fatigue can be a sign that something is wrong with our health.

Diabetes Mellitus - An Introduction To This Common Chronic Disease

Diabetes has been known for centuries, although it has not been fully understood, and the disease takes its name from the Greek for "passing through" because of one of its main symptoms - excessive urine production. During the fifteenth century the word Mellitus was from the Latin for "honey" when it was noted that many patients with diabetes had high levels of sugar in their blood and urine.



Diabetes mellitus, which is simply referred to as diabetes these days, is a metabolic disorder which in particular affects the metabolism of carbohydrates. The condition requires medical treatment and, more often than not, a number of lifestyle changes.



To function properly the human body requires a source of energy and derives this from the food that we eat. A normal diet comprises of a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and fats with carbohydrates accounting for up to three-quarters of this mix. There are a wide variety of high carbohydrate (sometimes referred to as high starch) foods and these include bread, bran, cereal, beans, rice and pasta.



Food is broken down by the digestive process into a variety of organic compounds and one of these, which forms the body's prime source of energy, is glucose. Glucose is then carried to various parts of the body by the blood and is transferred to the cells of the body to fuel both cell growth and cell repair.



An essential element in the transfer process is the presence of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is produced by specialized cells (known as beta-cells) which are located in an area of the pancreas called the Islets of Langerhans.



Diabetes sufferers fall into two broad categories - those with type 1 diabetes (formerly known as "juvenile" or "childhood" diabetes) and those with type 2 (or adult) diabetes. There is also said to be a third form of diabetes known as type 3 or gestational diabetes but, despite the fact that there are a few differences, this is basically nothing more than type 2 diabetes which occurs during, and because of, pregnancy.



In type 1 diabetes sufferers develop a problem with the insulin producing beta-cells of the pancreas and are unable to produce sufficient insulin to transfer glucose from the bloodstream to the cells of the body. This means that it is necessary to closely monitor levels in the blood and to administer insulin so that glucose can be transferred and the glucose levels in the blood returned to normal.



In type 2 diabetes the body usually continues to produce insulin normally but the body's cells develop a resistant to it and insulin levels begin to increase in the blood. In the early stages of type 2 diabetes this can often be counteracted by reducing the intake of glucose producing carbohydrates, exercising and losing weight, particularly when weight loss is aimed at removing fat from the area of the abdomen. If this approach does not do the trick then the condition can usually be controlled through the use of medication.



There is currently no cure for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and, while treatment can usually reduce the symptoms of both considerably, most sufferers will require ongoing treatment throughout life.

Chronic UTI in Dogs

One of the most common questions I am asked is about chronic/recurring urinary tract infections in dogs. Most dog owners feel they have taken excellent care of their dog but yet the infection continues to come back, time and time again. In some cases there are no good answers. In this informational article covering chronic UTI in dogs I will give a general overview of urinary tract infections and explore a few reasons why urinary tract infections become chronic.
 
When it comes to UTIs in dogs bacteria is the most likely cause with only a small percentage being fungal in nature. The bacterium makes its way into the urinary system through the urethra and makes it way to the bladder, and possibly to the kidneys. There are a number of factors which increase the chances of urinary infection. Among the possible contributing factors are diabetes, high sugar levels in the urine (possibly diabetes related), failure to empty the bladder, urine flow problems (obstructions), and a weak or damaged immune system. Female dogs and older dogs are at the highest risk of dog urinary tract infections.
 
As you probably realize chronic UTI in dogs is a serious, costly, and potentially deadly condition. If you are a pet owner who is going through this you know the frustration and helplessness that recurring urinary tract infections can present. So, let's explore this condition and see if we can't find you some answers.
 
The bacterial that is often responsible is difficult to treat and comes in many different forms including staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci; just to name a few. This bacterium can become resistant to antibiotics if the infection goes untreated or misdiagnosed. Misdiagnosis may initially seem like an unlikely outcome but with the number of possible offending bacterium combined the necessity to match the appropriate antibiotic the changes of misdiagnosis greatly increase. Once the condition has been mistreated the bacterium can become resistant to antibiotics, thus leading to chronic UTI in dogs. In other cases, an untreated or inadequately treated bladder or prostate infection can be the cause of an infection in the kidneys, which worsens the chances of a cure.
 
Once the condition has turned chronic there are few good choices. Your veterinarian will suggest low dose antibiotic treatment for the foreseeable future to keep the infection from getting worse. You should make sure your dog drinks plenty of water (to keep the urinary system flushed), monitor diet, and make sure your gets plenty of exercise. Increased water consumption will shrink the chances of an obstruction (stone formation) and reduce the likelihood of further infection.  
 
Many frustrated pet owners dealing with chronic UTI in dogs have opted for an alternative UTI treatment option, homeopathy. This type of natural treatment for urinary tract infections in dogs is definitely worth considering due to the lack of practical options.

Canine Chronic Bladder Infections - Help Your Dog Now to Prevent Problems Later

Canine chronic bladder infections refer to those ailments that keep coming back time after time. This is not the same as those classified as acute. An acute infection comes and then goes away after proper treatment has been given. When the problem returns, even after treatment has been given, the ailment becomes known as a chronic bladder infection. These chronic bladder infection in canines can run from simply annoying to the serious.



In many cases the reasons for the return of the problem is due to the urinary tract not being able to fight off harmful bacteria. Once the bacteria sets-up in the tract, and this means anywhere along the entire urinary system, it can produce irritation which leads to inflammation, and this inflammation is one of the main symptoms in chronic bladder infection in canines.



There can be other causes as well for the canine chronic bladder infections. Some of the more common causes include bladder stones, diabetes, physical defects in the urinary tract that allow urine to pool, kidney infection, cancer, and tumors. All of these, as you might imagine, require a diagnosis from your vet.



Another cause of canine chronic bladder infections is when pets are prescribed antibiotics and the owner does not continue with the medications until the prescribed end of treatment. This often happens when an ill dog begins to look and act better and the owner assumes the problem is resolved. It is important to always continue the antibiotics until the full course has been reached, regardless of how well your dog begins to look.



Canine chronic bladder infections can also be a result of the dog being overweight. Excessive weight can also be linked to diabetes and joint pain or arthritis. As you can see,chronic bladder infection in canines requires a visit to your vet to determine the underlying cause.



While all of this may sound disheartening, the good news is most causes of canine chronic bladder infections can be diagnosed with some simple lab tests. A complete urine test will identify what types of bacteria are present, if any. Blood tests may also be called for, and in some cases, X-rays may be needed. X-rays can be especially useful if the problem is associated with stones. In some cases, stones may be too large to pass naturally, and the vet may need to schedule surgery in order to get them out. Stone large enough to block the urinary passage can be very dangerous, even life-threatening.



If your dog has a past history of urinary tract problems that never seem to go away, you should consider the possibility that he or she has canine chronic bladder infection issues. Assuming your veterinarian doesn't find any structural issues such as a blockage or narrowing of any of the tubes that carry urine, you might want to consider changes in diet and supplementation with natural remedies. Special urinary diets such as Hill's Prescription Diet u/d are formulated to help the body generate urine with the PH balance needed to naturally fight bacteria. You might also might consider a switch to a canned dog food. These foods have 80% more moisture than dry and should cause an increase in urination. A dog's stomach is sensitive, and your dog may not like dietary change, so gradually introduce any new food by mixing new and old together until the transition is complete. This should take approximately 7 days.



Natural remedies are also something that can't hurt and possibly worth a try. Chronic bladder infection in canines can be prevented if the bacteria never gets to take hold in the first place. Like dietary approaches, several herbs are known to support the urinary system. Several products on the market combine many of these ingredients such as Arctostaphylos uva urs. Discuss natural remedies for canine chronic bladder infections with your veterinarian who can help you track progress and let you know if other patients have had success with this approach.



Beyond all else, make sure your dog that is suffering from canine chronic bladder infections is getting enough fresh water. By drinking more often, your dog will urinate more, which will help to keep the urinary tract free of canine bladder stone causing crystals, bacteria and fungus.

Diabetes Mellitus - An Introduction To This Common Chronic Disease

Diabetes has been known for centuries, although it has not been fully understood, and the disease takes its name from the Greek for "passing through" because of one of its main symptoms - excessive urine production. During the fifteenth century the word Mellitus was from the Latin for "honey" when it was noted that many patients with diabetes had high levels of sugar in their blood and urine.



Diabetes mellitus, which is simply referred to as diabetes these days, is a metabolic disorder which in particular affects the metabolism of carbohydrates. The condition requires medical treatment and, more often than not, a number of lifestyle changes.



To function properly the human body requires a source of energy and derives this from the food that we eat. A normal diet comprises of a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and fats with carbohydrates accounting for up to three-quarters of this mix. There are a wide variety of high carbohydrate (sometimes referred to as high starch) foods and these include bread, bran, cereal, beans, rice and pasta.



Food is broken down by the digestive process into a variety of organic compounds and one of these, which forms the body's prime source of energy, is glucose. Glucose is then carried to various parts of the body by the blood and is transferred to the cells of the body to fuel both cell growth and cell repair.



An essential element in the transfer process is the presence of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is produced by specialized cells (known as beta-cells) which are located in an area of the pancreas called the Islets of Langerhans.



Diabetes sufferers fall into two broad categories - those with type 1 diabetes (formerly known as "juvenile" or "childhood" diabetes) and those with type 2 (or adult) diabetes. There is also said to be a third form of diabetes known as type 3 or gestational diabetes but, despite the fact that there are a few differences, this is basically nothing more than type 2 diabetes which occurs during, and because of, pregnancy.



In type 1 diabetes sufferers develop a problem with the insulin producing beta-cells of the pancreas and are unable to produce sufficient insulin to transfer glucose from the bloodstream to the cells of the body. This means that it is necessary to closely monitor levels in the blood and to administer insulin so that glucose can be transferred and the glucose levels in the blood returned to normal.



In type 2 diabetes the body usually continues to produce insulin normally but the body's cells develop a resistant to it and insulin levels begin to increase in the blood. In the early stages of type 2 diabetes this can often be counteracted by reducing the intake of glucose producing carbohydrates, exercising and losing weight, particularly when weight loss is aimed at removing fat from the area of the abdomen. If this approach does not do the trick then the condition can usually be controlled through the use of medication.



There is currently no cure for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and, while treatment can usually reduce the symptoms of both considerably, most sufferers will require ongoing treatment throughout life.

Diabetes Mellitus - An Introduction To This Common Chronic Disease

Diabetes has been known for centuries, although it has not been fully understood, and the disease takes its name from the Greek for "passing through" because of one of its main symptoms - excessive urine production. During the fifteenth century the word Mellitus was from the Latin for "honey" when it was noted that many patients with diabetes had high levels of sugar in their blood and urine.



Diabetes mellitus, which is simply referred to as diabetes these days, is a metabolic disorder which in particular affects the metabolism of carbohydrates. The condition requires medical treatment and, more often than not, a number of lifestyle changes.



To function properly the human body requires a source of energy and derives this from the food that we eat. A normal diet comprises of a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and fats with carbohydrates accounting for up to three-quarters of this mix. There are a wide variety of high carbohydrate (sometimes referred to as high starch) foods and these include bread, bran, cereal, beans, rice and pasta.



Food is broken down by the digestive process into a variety of organic compounds and one of these, which forms the body's prime source of energy, is glucose. Glucose is then carried to various parts of the body by the blood and is transferred to the cells of the body to fuel both cell growth and cell repair.



An essential element in the transfer process is the presence of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is produced by specialized cells (known as beta-cells) which are located in an area of the pancreas called the Islets of Langerhans.



Diabetes sufferers fall into two broad categories - those with type 1 diabetes (formerly known as "juvenile" or "childhood" diabetes) and those with type 2 (or adult) diabetes. There is also said to be a third form of diabetes known as type 3 or gestational diabetes but, despite the fact that there are a few differences, this is basically nothing more than type 2 diabetes which occurs during, and because of, pregnancy.



In type 1 diabetes sufferers develop a problem with the insulin producing beta-cells of the pancreas and are unable to produce sufficient insulin to transfer glucose from the bloodstream to the cells of the body. This means that it is necessary to closely monitor levels in the blood and to administer insulin so that glucose can be transferred and the glucose levels in the blood returned to normal.



In type 2 diabetes the body usually continues to produce insulin normally but the body's cells develop a resistant to it and insulin levels begin to increase in the blood. In the early stages of type 2 diabetes this can often be counteracted by reducing the intake of glucose producing carbohydrates, exercising and losing weight, particularly when weight loss is aimed at removing fat from the area of the abdomen. If this approach does not do the trick then the condition can usually be controlled through the use of medication.



There is currently no cure for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and, while treatment can usually reduce the symptoms of both considerably, most sufferers will require ongoing treatment throughout life.

One Symptom of Diabetes - Chronic Fatigue

Many of the symptoms of diabetes can be so subtle that often times the signs of diabetes can go undetected by those that are diagnosed with the disease. Chronic fatigue is one of those symptoms.



Unfortunately most times it can be quite easy to overlook many of the symptoms of diabetes, for example, frequent feelings of thirst, more than the usual sweet cravings as well as slight feelings of depression are symptoms that are associated with many different conditions and diseases. Diabetics can often go without any knowledge that they are indeed suffering from such a devastating disease, and then all suddenly they're hit with a heart attack or stroke, which reveals the devastating news that not only did they just suffer a heart attack or stroke but that he or she is also suffering from diabetes.



Situations like the one previously stated are becoming more and more frequent as millions of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Because the symptoms of diabetes can masquerade as so many other less threatening problems, often times many people never think a condition that they may be facing at the moment could actually be a pre diabetes symptom.



For example feelings of exhaustion can be one of the telltale symptoms of diabetes. But how many times have any one of us you have ever gone to bed feeling exhausted only to arise with the same feelings of exhaustion? This could be attributed to a host of things. Believe it or not often times an overall feeling of being tired all of the time can be one of the signs of diabetes.



It is important to pay attention to one's own body. If you are going to bed at a reasonable hour that is sufficient enough that it should provide an adequate amount of sleep, and you are still feeling tired upon arising in the mornings, it may be time to discuss this with your health care provider. He or she can prescribe tests that can evaluate your blood sugar level that will determine if in fact you are experiencing any symptoms of diabetes. If you are at risk for diabetes more tests will likely be prescribed.



If high blood sugar levels happen to be what is causing your fatigue then you can take steps that will help to combat these symptoms of diabetes. Unfortunately many people are unaware of the fact that they are walking around with the onset of diabetes. By the time they discover that their symptoms where in fact diabetes, much more damage has began the damage to their bodies. This unfortunately can play havoc in so many people's lives



For example, often time feeling tired is not only one of the symptoms of diabetes but it is also often acquainted with the flu or even the common cold. Extreme feelings of fatigue can be a sign that something is wrong with our health.