Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the commonest diseases
in our society today. It used to be regarded as a disease of the rich
and affluent. But now, it affects even the poor.
But what is Diabetes? It is a metabolic
disorder caused either by a deficiency of the digestive hormone called
Insulin or the inability of body cells to use available insulin. In
talking about diabetes, there is one organ in the body, which requires
attention. The organ is the Pancreas.
What is Pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ that excretes
hormone insulin and pancreatic fluid, which contains enzymes involved in
the digestion of fats and proteins in the small intestine. The
pancreas, which is shaped like a human tongue, lies below and behind the
stomach and in – between the two kidneys. It weights about 100gms, and
is made of small units called lobules. Each lobule consists of two
groups of cells, the exocrine and the endocrine. The endocrine group of
cells is called an “Islet of Langerhans”. The beta cells of the islets
produce insulin while the alpha cells of the islets produce glycogen, a
hormone which does the reverse of what insulin does, that is, causes a
breakdown of glycogen into glucose, thus raising up the sugar level and
preventing it from falling too low.
Kinds of Diabetes
The terms “Diabetes” as used in this work
refers to “diabetes Mellitus”. There is another kind of diabetes called
“Diabetes insipidus” a condition of polyuria and polydipsia due to a
deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This kind of diabetes is less
common among us and so will not be considered. It deserves a separate
treatment.
When therefore we speak of kinds of diabetes, we refer to the two kinds of diabetes mellitus, which are:
(A) Juvenile Diabetes,
also called Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), is common in
children and young adults. This condition is characterized by a
deficiency of Insulin in the body. Thanks to modern medicine, this
insulin can be artificially injected into the body.
(B) Maturity Onset Diabetes;
also referred to as non – insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
is common in middle - aged people. In this condition there is insulin in
the body but the body cannot make use of the available insulin.
Causes of Diabetes
1. Heredity:
It is believed that heredity plays a part in the spread of diabetes.
However, there is no explanation of how exactly this happens. While it
is true to say that diabetes tends to run in families, it does not imply
that everyone born into such families will develop the disease. Nor
does it imply that those who do not belong to such families will never
get the illness. It is good to note that in families where diabetes
tends to run, the members will have a tendency to the illness. But they
may not develop the disease if proper precaution is taken. Some scholars
have maintained that what is inherited is not the disease, but lack of
the chromosome that will resist the illness.
2. Wrong Medication:
Self – medication has become the order of the day. Hospital bills are
hardly affordable. People would rather go to chemists and get whatever
drugs they want, than to go to the doctor. The wrong use of drugs, as
well as long term use of some drugs, can damage the pancreas chemical
drugs are dangerous and so should be taken with care. One should avid
them if it is possible. Of what use is chloraphenicol it cures your
typhoid but destroy your sight or hearing? Those who constantly take
drugs such as asthma drugs, arthritis drugs, and contraceptive pills are
in danger of damaging their pancreas.
3. Life Style:
It has been said over and over again that wrong lifestyle is one of the
major causes of diseases in general. But how many people are ready to
listen? Even as food can nourish life, so can it also destroy life. When
a mother feeds her baby with plenty of coca – cola drinks, sugar, ice –
creams, biscuits, chocolate and other refined foods, she thinks she is
“civilized” and making her child “civilized”, not knowing that she is
destroying the life of her baby. When a man drinks beer and drinks
expensive wines, eats plenty of red meat, drinks coffee with plenty of
sugar, he says to himself. “I am enjoying life” not knowing he is eating
himself to death.
It is therefore important to learn the art of proper food combination if we want to stay healthy.
4. Overweight: It is said that 57 – 5 percent of diabetics are overweight. High intake of
protein and heavy calory food will lead
to overweight. Overweight occurs when there is no balance between
the intake of food and the digestion and utility of this food. As a
result, extra calories the liver, kidney and pancreas have to do extra
work. This overwork eventually leads to a breakdown of these vital
organs.
SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES
If you do not have the illness called
diabetes then be happy. And be sure you do all you can to prevent it for
prevention is better than cure. The symptoms of diabetes are many and
varied. At the earliest stage, diabetes does not slow any symptom. In
many cases, the disease is diagnosed accidentally when undergoing check –
up for other complaints. The following are only some of the symptoms of
diabetes.
1. Polydipsia:
Because of the quantity of fluids lost through urine, the body
experiences dryness of mouth and excessive thirst. The patient has an
intense craving for water and yet is never satisfied.
2. Polyurea:
This means excessive urination. This constant urination is the
commonest sign of diabetes. Because of the high level of sugar present
in the urea. It taste very sugary.
If you find yourself urinating very
frequently, check if your urine is sugary. Do this by tasting the urea.
If it is sugary then watch out. This may not be enough proof that you
have diabetes, but it may be an indication.
3. Polyphagia: this refers to the excessive hunger often experienced by diabetes. This
abnormal hunger is only a reaction of the body to a lack of glucose, thus starving the
body cells. The patient is tempted to eat more and more, And yet the more food the
glucose level rises. And the more body weight increases.
4. Weakness and Tiredness: It is not the fats that are used. The body also feeds on the
proteins in the body, leading to general weakness and tiredness.
5. Itching: Persistent itching all over the body, especially in the genital parts is a
symptoms of diabetes. This is true especially of women. If a woman persistently
experience s itching in her vagina a medical check – up is advisable.
6. Loss of Weight: Because the cells are starved of glucose the body begins to make use
of stored fats so as to nourish the
cells. When this continues for a prolonged period of time the patient
begins to lose weight.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Health Benefits of Bitter-leaf
The fact is that bitter herbs are good for the body. They remind us that life is not always sweet, that life is not a bed of roses that both sweetness and bitterness are essential parts of life and so are not opposed. Bitter herbs help to tone the vital organs of the body, especially the liver and kidney. The liver is the largest organ of the body. It weights is between 1-3kg in the adult. Its major functions are (a) secretion of bile (b) formation of glycogen. The liver is essential in the metabolism of fats and protein, it must therefore be well taken care of once the liver has any defect, it is hard to correct.
The kidney is another important organ in the body. The kidney is the organ that helps to expel waste materials from the body. It secretes urine that flows into the urethra's. If the kidney breaks down there will be a general disorder in the body. Bitter-leaf is very useful in the care of the kidney and the liver. It is for this reason that we refer to bitter- leaf as cure-all for if the kidney and liver are healthy, the whole system will function well.
Bitter-leaf can also be used for Diabetes
Diabetics should listen carefully to this good news. They do not need to despair or lose hope. God has not abandoned them. God has given them bitter-leaf as a sign of God's love and care. From time immemorial herbalists have been using the bitter-leaf plant for the treatment of diabetes. Bitter-leaf not only reduces the sugar-level drastically, it also helps to repair the pancreas. Squeeze ten handfuls of the fresh leaves in ten liters of water and take two glasses thrice
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