Medical name for sugar is sucrose. Sucrose is a mixture of glucose and fructose. Carbohydrates are broken down in the
body to form glucose. Cells get their energy or 'fuel' from glucose.
Your blood sugar level is the amount of glucose you have in your blood. The blood takes the glucose to the cells of the organs and tissues of the body including the liver which stores some of it in the form of glycogen.
Insulin is needed to unlock the receptors on the cell so that they 'receive' glucose. There is a steady release of insulin from the beta-cells of the pancreas. An increase of glucose in the blood, as after a meal, triggers an increase of insulin from the pancreas. This allows the glucose to be taken up by the cells, enabling the level of glucose in the blood to remain fairly constant.
When blood sugar is low, between meals for instance, the liver releases glycogen into the blood stream.
When blood glucose is low (not eaten for a while) insulin in low; when insulin is low, liver releases glucose from its glycogen stores.
When blood glucose is low, insulin is low and low-insulin is a signal for fatty acids (which are broken down to produce an alternative source of energy) to be released in the blood.
In TYPE 2 DIABETES there are two problems: firstly the cells of the body become resistant (unable to respond properly) to insulin - like the locks rust; they're less sensitive to insulin, some cells are responsive, others are not. Secondly (as a result of this) the pancreas works harder to produce insulin and becomes worn out and produces less insulin and less efficient insulin.
Because cells (e.g. muscles) are taking in less glucose the blood glucose rises after a meal, instead of being brought down.
When the cells of the body are not getting enough glucose because of a lack of proper insulin, the body thinks there isn't enough glucose so it releases glucose from glycogen. This increases the blood sugar further. It also releases fatty acids into the blood, which is broken down by the liver into lipids (cholesterol etc).
The main illnesses that can be caused by Type 2 diabetes:
heart disease and stroke
retinopathy (eye problems)
neuropathy (nerve damage)
nephropathy (kidney disease)
That's why you have to control your blood sugar levels.
Having Type 2 diabetes increases risk of high blood pressure or hypertension, which can increase risk of above illnesses.
SYMPTOMS:
You need to wee more, are thirsty, tend to get urinary infections. This is caused by excess glucose being disposed of via the urine.
Tiredness and weight loss as a result of fat and protein stores being broken down when cells don't get enough glucose.
Blurry vision, infections such as flush, tingling or pain or ulceration in feet all caused by high blood sugar for a long time.
CAUSES of type 2 diabetes: consuming too many calories compared with what's burned off. This triggers insulin resistance.
TESTS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES
Random blood sugar test: a level of 11.1 indicates diabetes
Blood sugar test first thing in the morning: a level of 7 indicates same
Bugar drink first thing in the morning and a test 2 hours later. 11.1 indicates same.
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS
Cut down number of calories consumed
Base diet on carbohydrates, less on proteins (e.g. meats and dairy) and fats.
More excercise such as walking
Stop smoking
MEDICATION to regulate blood sugar level:
Metformin
Gliclazide
There is a risk with some of these drugs that they can go too far the other way i.e. cause blood sugar to fall too low. This is called hypoglycaemia. If mild, you can manage it by eating sugary food. If moderate or severe you may need help or emergency treatment.
Signs of hypoglycaemia:
sweating, hunger, trembling, headache, becoming pale, crying, temper, aggression, rapid heart beat, drowsiness, confusion.
body to form glucose. Cells get their energy or 'fuel' from glucose.
Your blood sugar level is the amount of glucose you have in your blood. The blood takes the glucose to the cells of the organs and tissues of the body including the liver which stores some of it in the form of glycogen.
Insulin is needed to unlock the receptors on the cell so that they 'receive' glucose. There is a steady release of insulin from the beta-cells of the pancreas. An increase of glucose in the blood, as after a meal, triggers an increase of insulin from the pancreas. This allows the glucose to be taken up by the cells, enabling the level of glucose in the blood to remain fairly constant.
When blood sugar is low, between meals for instance, the liver releases glycogen into the blood stream.
When blood glucose is low (not eaten for a while) insulin in low; when insulin is low, liver releases glucose from its glycogen stores.
When blood glucose is low, insulin is low and low-insulin is a signal for fatty acids (which are broken down to produce an alternative source of energy) to be released in the blood.
In TYPE 2 DIABETES there are two problems: firstly the cells of the body become resistant (unable to respond properly) to insulin - like the locks rust; they're less sensitive to insulin, some cells are responsive, others are not. Secondly (as a result of this) the pancreas works harder to produce insulin and becomes worn out and produces less insulin and less efficient insulin.
Because cells (e.g. muscles) are taking in less glucose the blood glucose rises after a meal, instead of being brought down.
When the cells of the body are not getting enough glucose because of a lack of proper insulin, the body thinks there isn't enough glucose so it releases glucose from glycogen. This increases the blood sugar further. It also releases fatty acids into the blood, which is broken down by the liver into lipids (cholesterol etc).
The main illnesses that can be caused by Type 2 diabetes:
heart disease and stroke
retinopathy (eye problems)
neuropathy (nerve damage)
nephropathy (kidney disease)
That's why you have to control your blood sugar levels.
Having Type 2 diabetes increases risk of high blood pressure or hypertension, which can increase risk of above illnesses.
SYMPTOMS:
You need to wee more, are thirsty, tend to get urinary infections. This is caused by excess glucose being disposed of via the urine.
Tiredness and weight loss as a result of fat and protein stores being broken down when cells don't get enough glucose.
Blurry vision, infections such as flush, tingling or pain or ulceration in feet all caused by high blood sugar for a long time.
CAUSES of type 2 diabetes: consuming too many calories compared with what's burned off. This triggers insulin resistance.
TESTS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES
Random blood sugar test: a level of 11.1 indicates diabetes
Blood sugar test first thing in the morning: a level of 7 indicates same
Bugar drink first thing in the morning and a test 2 hours later. 11.1 indicates same.
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS
Cut down number of calories consumed
Base diet on carbohydrates, less on proteins (e.g. meats and dairy) and fats.
More excercise such as walking
Stop smoking
MEDICATION to regulate blood sugar level:
Metformin
Gliclazide
There is a risk with some of these drugs that they can go too far the other way i.e. cause blood sugar to fall too low. This is called hypoglycaemia. If mild, you can manage it by eating sugary food. If moderate or severe you may need help or emergency treatment.
Signs of hypoglycaemia:
sweating, hunger, trembling, headache, becoming pale, crying, temper, aggression, rapid heart beat, drowsiness, confusion.