Diabetes

Does Rilassáre's alternative medicine replace traditional medicine?

No, alternative medicine is a supplement to treatments the patient may be undergoing and is not contraindicated in any case due to its safety and lack of adverse reactions or side effects. Alternative medicine helps strengthen your immune system and regulate your body’s acidity for optimal functioning.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels, which over time leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Symptoms of diabetes may include:

• • Increased thirst and frequent urination.
• • Increased appetite.
• • Fatigue.
• • Blurred vision.
• • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• • Sores that do not heal.
• • Unexplained weight loss.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can appear quickly, within weeks. On the other hand, symptoms of type 2 diabetes usually develop slowly over several years and can be so mild that they often go unnoticed. Many people with type 2 diabetes show no symptoms. Some only discover they have the disease when diabetes-related health problems occur, such as blurred vision or heart issues.

Causes of diabetes

The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which acts like a key allowing blood sugar to enter the body’s cells for use as energy. With diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t properly use the insulin it makes.

Types of diabetes

Most common types:

• • Type 1 diabetes. A chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
• • Type 2 diabetes. A chronic condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose).
• • Prediabetes. A condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.
• • Gestational diabetes. A form of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women.

Diabetes diagnosis

Diabetes is diagnosed when blood glucose (sugar) levels are 200 mg/dl or higher.

Random plasma glucose test

A plasma glucose test measures how much sugar/glucose is in your blood. “Random” means the blood sample is taken at any time. Whether you have fasted or eaten recently won’t affect the test. A result equal to or higher than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) may indicate diabetes. To be sure, you’ll need to confirm with another random test, a fasting plasma glucose test, or an oral glucose tolerance test.

Fasting plasma glucose test

This simple blood test is done after you’ve fasted for at least 8 hours. A normal fasting glucose level is between 60 and 99 mg/dl. Diabetes is not confirmed until two separate fasting plasma glucose tests each show a reading of 126 or higher.

Oral glucose tolerance test

Some people with diabetes, even with symptoms, may have normal fasting plasma glucose tests. In this case, you’ll fast for 8 hours, drink a solution containing 75 grams of glucose, and have blood drawn before and two hours after. You must not eat until the test is completed. This is called the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).

A normal fasting glucose level is under 100 mg/dl. Levels from 100 to 126 mg/dl indicate prediabetes. Levels at or above 126 mg/dl indicate diabetes.

Two hours after drinking the glucose, plasma glucose should be under 140 mg/dl. Levels from 140 to 199 mg/dl indicate prediabetes. Levels at or above 200 mg/dl indicate diabetes.

A1c

An A1c or hemoglobin A1c test measures your average blood glucose over the past three months. The American Diabetes Association recommends using the A1c test to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes. According to the ADA, A1c levels above 6.5% indicate diabetes; levels between 5.7–6.4% indicate prediabetes; levels below 5.6% are normal. Hemoglobin A1c tests evaluate long-term blood glucose control.

A1c is an indirect measure and may not accurately reflect average blood sugar levels in people with hemoglobin mutations, severe anemia, or those receiving blood transfusions or medications to increase red blood cell production.

The use of A1c for diabetes diagnosis is controversial. Currently, only the ADA supports using A1c to diagnose diabetes.

Diabetes treatments

The main treatment involves managing blood sugar through diet, oral medications, or insulin. Regular checkups are also needed to detect complications.

• • Type 1 diabetes. The goal is to maintain normal blood sugar levels through monitoring, insulin therapy, diet, and exercise.
• • Type 2 diabetes. Treatments include diet, exercise, insulin therapy, and medications.
• • Prediabetes. Progression to type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable. Healthy lifestyle changes, weight loss, and medication can help return to normal blood sugar levels.
• • Gestational diabetes. Treatment includes daily blood sugar monitoring, a healthy diet, exercise, and monitoring the baby. Medication may be needed if levels are too high.

Diabetes complications

Diabetes complications often share risk factors, and one complication can worsen others. For example, many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, which worsens eye and kidney disease. Diabetes tends to lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol and raise triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Smoking doubles the risk of heart disease in diabetics.

Let’s take a closer look at serious diabetes complications:

• • Heart disease and stroke. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or strokes as those without diabetes.
• • Vision problems and blindness. Damage to the retina (diabetic retinopathy), cataracts, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma).
• • Kidney disease. High blood sugar can damage the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease and possibly kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplant. 1 in 3 adults with diabetes has chronic kidney disease. Testing is needed to detect it.
• • Nerve damage (neuropathy). One of the most common complications, it can cause numbness and pain, mostly in the feet and legs but also affecting digestion, blood vessels, and the heart.
• • Amputations. Poor circulation and nerve damage, especially in the feet, can cause serious infections requiring amputation.
• • Other. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and higher blood sugar, making diabetes harder to manage. Gum disease may also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes may cause complications for mother and baby, including preeclampsia, birth injuries, and birth defects.

Complications often develop over time without symptoms. That’s why it’s essential to keep medical and dental appointments, even when feeling fine. Early treatment can help prevent or delay diabetes-related conditions and improve overall health.

Diabetes prevention

Long-term benefits of these diets or their role in diabetes prevention.

Your dietary goal should be to lose weight and then maintain a healthier weight long-term. Healthy eating habits should be part of a lifelong strategy. Choosing options that reflect your preferences and traditions can benefit you over time.

Dividing your plate is a simple way to make optimal food choices and control portion sizes. These three divisions promote healthy eating:

• • One half: non-starchy fruits and vegetables.
• • One quarter: whole grains.
• • One quarter: protein-rich foods like legumes, fish, or lean meats.

When to see your doctor

The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening and diagnostic testing for type 2 diabetes in all adults aged 45 and older, and in the following groups:

• • People under 45 who are overweight or obese and have one or more diabetes-related risk factors.
• • Women who had gestational diabetes.
• • People diagnosed with prediabetes.
• • Children who are overweight or obese and have a family history of type 2 diabetes or other risk factors.

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