Question

One of the girls on your college track team has diabetes. She has shared with you some of her fears and concerns. You ask her if you can share this information with the other team members and she gives you the permission to do so. Design a lecture for the team members that will help them recognize the signs, symptoms, and complications of diabetic problems.

Answer 1

Diabetes

It is a disease of the pancreas, an organ that produces the hormone insulin.

Types

Type 1 diabetes

It occurs because the insulin producing cells of the pancreas (beta cells) are damaged. I.e, the pancreas makes little or no insulin,so sugar cannot get into the body for use as energy.

By giving insulin injections to control their blood glucose. It is the most common diabetes. It occurs in people who are under age 30 or at any age also.

Type 2 diabetes

In this the pancreasakes insulin but it either doesn't produce enough or the insulin does not work properly. Mostly this occurs in people over 40 years old and overweight. It may be controlled by diet management, weight management and exercises.

Causes

• Family history
• Race
• Age
• Lifestyle
• Physical stress
• Certain medication ( steroids, BP medicines)
• Injury to pancreas
• Autoimmune disease
• High blood pressure
• Smoking

Signs and symptoms

• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger
• Dry mouth
• Numbness
• Frequent urination
• Weak,tired feeling
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing sores or cuts

Complications

• Cardiovascular disease
• Nerve damage ( neuropathy)
• Kidney damage ( nephropathy)
• Eye damage ( retinopathy)
• Diabetic foot
• Skin conditions
• Hearing impairment
• Alzheimer's disease
• Depression

Prevention

• Eat healthy foods
• Get more physical activity
• If you're overweight, then reduce weight
• Proper medication