12:31 PM
Anonymous
Dysfunction of the thyroid gland, a gland situated in the human neck that produces a chemical called thyroxin that controls the functioning of all cells in the human body can occur in people with diabetes, especially those with Type 1 diabetes. The dysfunction can range from over-activity to under-activity of the thyroid gland with important consequences on the health of that individual with diabetes.
In those with underactive thyroid glands, symptoms include slowing of all activities, undue sleepiness, intolerance to cold, hair loss, heavy menstrual flow in women, weight gain, swelling of the legs, and constipation, among many others. Those with overactive thyroid glands experience the exact opposite of what occurs in those with underactive glands.
The heart is another organ that is susceptible to untoward events in people with diabetes with grave consequences.
What affects the heart can also affect the blood vessels which are in direct connection with the heart and thus transport blood all over the body. This is referred to as cardiovascular disease. More than half of individuals with diabetes who die do so from consequences of cardiovascular disease. The heart and the blood vessels thus need to be protected from the effects of diabetes.
Individuals with diabetes thus need to be assessed if they are at increased risk of cardiovascular death. Increased cardiovascular risk is present in the diabetic person who is obese, who is hypertensive, who has abnormal cholesterol levels, who smokes, who has a family history of premature cardiovascular disease and death and in those who do not exercise and whose diet is unhealthy.
Steps that need to be taken to prevent the cardiovascular system from disease include medications like statins, anti-hypertensives, low dose aspirin and a healthful diet rich in fruits and vegetables but low in salt. The use of oils like olive oil, sunflower oil, oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids like cod liver oil, and reduction in intake of foods that contain unhealthy saturated fats like margarine, pastries, coconut oil, palm oil and increased exercise levels are also helpful.
The need to stop smoking is imperative. This includes primary, secondary or tertiary smoking. Primary smoking is when you are the individual smoking while secondary is being close to someone smoking and inhaling the smoke. Tertiary smoking is being exposed to the harmful substances in cigarette smoke hours after the individual that smoked left the place. Weight loss in the overweight or obese individual is also known to be very helpful in preventing cardiovascular sequelae.
The lungs can also suffer ill effects as a result of diabetes. People with diabetes have an increased risk of acquiring many types of infections of the lungs. Tuberculosis is thus commoner in them than in people without diabetes and causes greater mortality in them if not urgently and effectively addressed. Tuberculosis can also be reactivated in people who had it in time past and were cured when such people develop diabetes.
There is indubitable proof that poor blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes can lead to kidney damage. This damage is more common in those with family history of diabetes- induced kidney damage. It is also common in individuals with diabetes who have a family history of hypertension or are hypertensive themselves. Type 1 diabetes takes a greater toll on the kidneys than does Type 2 diabetes. Uncontrolled hypertension plays a very critical role in the progression of diabetes –induced kidney damage.
The use of kidney protective medications, namely Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or Angiotensin receptor blockers is imperative in the individual with diabetes. Diabetes –induced kidney damage is a serious medical condition that reduces the life- span of those with it. The wise thing to do is thus to prevent it from occurring by paying careful attention to blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
The earliest manifestation of diabetic kidney damage is the presence of small amounts of the protein called albumin in the urine. This is referred to as microalbuminuria. The screening tests for kidney disease called microalbumin test is thus very important. If this is found to be positive, then steps will need to be taken to prevent progression of kidney damage.
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