SCRIPT NUMBER 104
DIABETES. ADULT ONSET - 2
(TWO SPEAKERS)
PROGRAM NAME: HEALTH NUGGETS
PROGRAM TITLE: DIABETES. ADULT ONSET-2
PROGRAM NUMBER: 104
SUBJECT: SYMPTOMS, MECHANISM, CAUSES, RISK FACTORS,
COMPLICATIONS, TREATMENT OF ADULT ONSET DIABETES
KEY WORDS: OBESE, ADULT ONSET, TYPE 2, PANCREAS, INSULIN,
DEHYDRATION, INFLAMMATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY,
INJECTION
DATE OF SCRIPT: MARCH 22, 2013
AUTHOR: RICHARD YUKL, MD, FACS
SPEAKER 1:
John was a typical father in his mid-thirties. He was able to
care for his family because he had a steady job. He ate well and exercised little.
He had slowly gained weight over the years, and now he was mildly obese.
SPEAKER 2:
John began to gradually notice physical changes in his body.
He seemed to be thirsty all of the time, and as he drank more water, he urinated
more than before. He seemed to be constantly hungry. And, no matter how much
he slept, he always felt tired. When he scratched his arm and the open wound
would not heal, he saw a doctor, who diagnosed him with what he called adult
onset or type 2 diabetes.
SPEAKER 1:
childhood?
Doesn’t sugar diabetes usually become evident during
SPEAKER 2:
Yes, but there is a second type of diabetes that is becoming
more and more common. Adult onset or type 2 diabetes becomes evident in
adults rather than children, and it can devastate your life.
SPEAKER 1:
How does our body normally use sugar?
SPEAKER 2:
God created a sophisticated mechanism to transform the
food we eat into the energy our cells need to function properly. Normally, our
blood absorbs sugar from the food we have eaten. The rising level of sugar in our
blood causes our pancreas to make and release insulin, which opens tiny gates
on the surface of each of our cells, allowing the sugar to enter, where it becomes
the cell’s main source of energy, allowing it to function properly.
SPEAKER 1:
What goes wrong with that mechanism to cause diabetes?
SPEAKER 2:
In adult onset diabetes, either the pancreas loses its ability
to make and release the required insulin, or the cells become resistant to
insulin’s effect. Whichever the case, the sugar we ate is no longer able to enter
our cells as it should. The sugar level in our blood rises higher and higher. Fluid
comes out of our cells to dilute the sugar and lower the high blood sugar level.
Because of that loss of fluid, we begin to feel extremely thirsty, so we drink more,
and we urinate more. Also, without an adequate energy supply, our muscles and
other organs feel the loss of energy. That causes us to feel intensely hungry, so
we eat more and gain weight. People suffering diabetes have other symptoms as
well. They have a harder time healing their injuries and wounds. And, they have
a harder time resisting infections, so they are sick more often.
SPEAKER 1:
What are my risk factors for getting diabetes?
SPEAKER 2:
Certain factors increase your risk for developing adult onset
diabetes. The most important risk factor is being overweight. For reasons only
recently understood by science, fat cells cause inflammation in your body, and
inflammation makes your cells resistant to insulin. The more fatty tissue you
have, the more resistant to insulin your cells become. A lack of physical activity is
another risk factor. Physical activity helps you reduce your weight, making your
cells more sensitive to the insulin. People who eat a lot of meat suffer more adult
onset diabetes than people who are vegetarian. Also, people of some races
experience more diabetes than those of other races, although the reason for this
are not yet clear.
SPEAKER 1:
What complications does diabetes cause?
SPEAKER 2:
Uncontrolled diabetes affects many organ systems in our
body. Our risk for heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure increases
dramatically. High blood sugar levels eventually damage our nerves causing
tingling, numbness and burning that begins at the tips of the toes and fingers and
gradually spreads upward. Uncontrolled diabetes can also damage the delicate
filtering system in our kidneys, destroying them.
SPEAKER 1:
If I have diabetes, how can I control it?
SPEAKER 2:
Because uncontrolled diabetes can cause serious, and even
life-threatening complications, control of the disease is important. The good news
is that adult onset diabetes can be successfully managed, even though control
will require a lifelong commitment to healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss,
and the monitoring of blood sugar levels.
SPEAKER 1:
Give me some specifics.
SPEAKER 2:
By healthy eating I mean eating mainly fruit, vegetables and
whole grains. These foods are high in nutrition and low in fat and free sugar. I
also mean avoiding sweets that are high in sugar content. By regular exercise I
mean activities such as walking, swimming or bicycling for at least 30 minutes a
day. That will make your cells more sensitive to insulin. Exercise also helps you
lose excessive weight. If you do nothing more than lose 5-10% of your body
weight and exercise moderately, you may well be able to bring your blood sugar
levels back to normal. That can delay or even prevent diabetic complications,
and you may not even need to take medicines. Doctors can monitor your blood
sugar levels closely and teach you what to do if your levels remain consistently
high, so see a doctor if one is available where you live. If lifestyle changes don’t
control your diabetes, you may need to take diabetes medicines by mouth or
even insulin by injection. Even that is worth the discomfort as it helps you to
avoid diabetic complications.
SPEAKER 1:
Did John respond to lifestyle changes?
SPEAKER 2:
John took his diabetes seriously. He consciously limited the
amount of sugar he ate, and he began bicycling to work. After six months on this
program, he lost 5% of his body weight. His blood sugar levels and blood
pressure both returned to normal. His diabetes came under control without the
need of any diabetes medicine.
SPEAKER 1:
Health Nuggets is written by Dr. Richard Yukl, a medical
doctor working in the United States. The medical views expressed in this
program are his and may differ for your particular health needs. If you need
medical advice, please consult a medical professional in your area.