Diabetes 101

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that leads to high blood sugar. It is caused by the destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas. These cells are responsible for releasing Insulin into the system.

What is insulin? Insulin is a hormone that our body uses to push Glucose into the cells.
So let's say, you consumed a plate of hot spicy jollof
 rice, which  is high in carbohydrate (Carbs).

After eating the Jollof rice, our body converts the carbs to glucose so that the cells in our body  can be energized. The only way for the cells in our body are able to use up the glucose, is if Insulin drives the glucose into the cells.
NB. Insulin is like a key. It opens the door to the cells so that the glucose can enter. Without insulin, glucose molecules will be floating outside of the cells; in the intravascular space ( blood vessels).

Diabetes are of four types. The two main ones are, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type-1 is common among kids, it is an autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system destroys beta cells in the pancreas while type-2 is most common among adults, where the body just becomes resistant to the available insulin. Diabetes has no known cure. It is a deadly chronic illness that has to be managed for life.

As mentioned earlier, diabetic patients either lack Insulin or they have very little insulin which can barely get the work done.
Without insulin to drive the glucose into the cells. Our cells get hungry ( polyphagia), since glucose irritates the vessels, our body will try to get rid of them. Not just that, but also the fact that glucose is  hypertonic is nature it will pull water from the cells into the vascular space leading to (Polyuria or frequent urination) and dehydration. This will make one dizzy, thirsty, and extremely tired. These are the symptoms of diabetes. others include wounds that don’t heal (excess sugar in the blood stream prevents wounds from healing), and blurry vision can be noted too.


All the while taking care of diabetic patients as a nursing student, most of them have no idea how
deadly this illness can be, so they down play it and finally wind up in the hospital. Taking care of yourself (dietary changes, exercises, lifestyle modifications)  as directed by your healthcare provider is essential in avoiding potential complications  that may arrive from diabetes. These complication ranges from blindness, kidney failure, amputation and even death.

You can always ask your doctor to refer you to a diabetic clinic.