350 Million Diabetics by 2030. How will you survive this Killer Disease?

Now that we have a new Supreme Court judge nominee, we find we have a new disease of the month to become familiar with. It is unfortunate because it is a serious disease .Our new judge nominee suffers, since the age of eight, from Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 is also known as juvenile diabetes since its onset begins in childhood. In this form of diabetes, the body does not make insulin. It can shorten one’s lifespan by up to ten years. It has many possible complications. The WHO projects that the number of diabetics will exceed 350 million by 2030.

Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas and released into the blood that allows our body cells to use glucose (sugar). Without insulin, the level of blood sugar can be very high or low. Serious, lethal complications like ketoacidosis can occur. The body cannot use sugar without insulin. If insulin is lacking, the cells use other sources for energy and end up making ketones which accumulate in the blood and cause acidosis. This is what happens when police officers finds a diabetic. They think they are drunk—they smell fruity from the ketones and have mental alterations, like unconsciousness. They get thrown in jail and die there mistaken for a drunk. They need insulin.

One million Americans have this Type 1 diabetes. In contrast to Type 1 diabetes, is adult onset diabetes known as Type 2. The body produces less insulin or is insensitive to its actions in Type 2.

Rigid control of blood sugar has been the mainstay therapy of diabetes. Injection of insulin or the use of oral drugs that increase insulin release are the main forms of drug therapy for Types 1 and 2. Insulin can be given by single injection or by a continuous infusion by a pump. Attempts have been made to strictly control blood sugar between specific levels to try to eliminate complications. This has not been successful. We don’t know why.

Diabetes is a disease of small blood vessels. The lack of insulin and alterations in sugar levels cause small artery disease. Blood flow to fingers, legs and other organs like the brain, kidneys and heart and eyes can be seriously diminished. This causes end organ damage like heart attack, loss of vision and leg and foot ulcers and loss of feeling due to nerve damage. Amputation of toes, feet and legs occurs in a progression moving up the extremity due to progressing disease. Poor blood flow is the cause of all this damage. Kidney failure is common in diabetics also. They have a high incidence of transplants for renal disease and may ultimately undergo dialysis to clear the blood of waste products. Heart attacks are common also.

The degree of wellness depends on controlling the sugars and the individuals own individual genetic history. One must take very good care of one’s self if diabetic. Any cut or ulcer must receive immediate attention and not allowed to progress. Infection must be avoided as it is next to impossible to cure due to the lack of blood flow to affected organs. It is a very serious disease and one must take care constantly.