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| Diabetes By Dr. Margo DeLeaver MD
06-01-2008
Diabetes
As we head into summer and warmer weather, I draw up fond memories of hot summer days, nice cool lemonade and ice cream cones. Today with the rapidly rising incidence of Type 2 Diabetes, nearly tripling since 1980 in adults from 18-79 years of age, we need to double think that double scoop. Diabetes Mellitus is not just one disease. It is a group of metabolic disorders, with one main manifestation - hyperglycemia (excess sugar in the bloodstream). There are two types of diabetes. 90% of diabetic cases are Type 2 Diabetes (formerly called non-insulin dependent diabetes). This type of diabetes can be controlled by oral medication, dietary and lifestyle changes. There are an estimated 15 million people in the U.S. with diabetes.
With Type 2 Diabetes, the hyperglycemia is associated with insulin resistance and/or decreased insulin secretion. With Type I Diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes), hyperglycemia is associated with beta cell destruction (beta cells are the pancreatic cells that produce insulin), an autoimmune process (where the body is stimulated to start attacking it’s own cells), pancreatitis, cancer or unknown causes. This type of diabetes requires daily injections of insulin.
More than 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are being diagnosed each year. Even our children are at risk, with an alarming estimate of 20% of our children becoming diabetic in the next 20-30 years. 60 to 70% of diabetics develop damage to the nervous system leading to impaired sensations in the hands and feet. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the US. It is also the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. Diabetes is associated with heart disease, hypertension and stroke, pregnancy complications; diabetes accounts for more than 60% of non-traumatic amputations and is the 6th leading cause of death for people between 20-64 years of age. This excess of sugar (glucose) floating around in the bloodstream can affect every bodily system.
The good news is that an individual has control over the diet and lifestyle issues that influence the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Elevated blood lipids (fats), blood pressure, lack of exercise and unbalanced diets with excess consumption of carbohydrates/sugars, as well as hereditary factors, all contribute to the development of diabetes. Studies have shown that pre-diabetic levels of elevated blood sugars do not have to progress to actual diabetes.
There is a pre-diabetic state that many people develop, before they actually develop diabetes, in which they have elevated blood sugars (100-126mg/dL). This can be corrected and one can return to normal blood glucose levels. Even if an individual is already diagnosed with diabetes, just making a change in their diet, weight, and lifestyle can help delay and/or reduce complications associated with diabetes. Changing one’s lifestyle often is not a simple matter. We all get used to living our lives the same old way to which we are accustomed. Making change often requires a multi-faceted approach.
The Centre for Life, is composed of a variety of specialized practitioners who can help you make significant changes in your lifestyle, while helping you attain optimal health (Homeopathy, Acupuncture/Herbology, Psychotherapy, Psychiatry). All of the practitioners at Centre for Life have, as one of their core goals, helping the client to attain and maintain balance in their lives.
My name is Margo P. DeLeaver, MD, FAAP, MA Spiritual Psychology and Traditional Chinese Medicine. My focus is to blend Western and Eastern Medicine to help my patients achieve optimal health. I am the newest addition to the group. I have a full-time Pediatric practice in Culver City and an Acupuncture/Herbology practice at the Centre for Life office.
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