Still learning about Diabetes

Diabetes appears to be very straight forward but yet it's a complicated disease when all the factors come into play.

For example high glucose can be the result of two different things. The most obvious one is the pancreas produces inadequate insulin. Without adequate insulin the body is unable to use to glucose as energy. In order for the cells to operate effectively the cells need glucose. The brain needs glucose to properly function, without its energy the brain becomes sluggish and the person stays tired. This is one of the issues I have dealt with for at least 6 months. I blamed the "laziness" on my pain medicine even though I been on it long before the sluggish brain. The strength and dosage has not changed in 4 years.

If the brain doesn't get adequate fuel, it messages the liver to release more glycogen into the blood stream and the pancreas to release insulin. Because of the increased glucose in the blood the body signals extreme thirst and frequent urination as the body tries to rid itself of the excessive glucose through the kidneys. If the glucose has remained high too long the urine takes on a fruity odor. 

The second is insulin resistance because the insulin receptors no longer work properly the body is no longer able to use the fuel (glucose). It's like a combustion engine misfiring (my hubby is a mechanic and this is how I would explain it to him). It's like having enough fuel but because the spark plugs are misfiring the fuel isn't used. The oral medicine, in my case Metaforim, helps the body to rid itself of excessive glucose. Metaforim isn't a quick fix but takes weeks to reach its full potential. In a way It's like replacing the misfiring plugs with new plugs not properly gapped. Each day small adjustments are made but until each spark plug is gapped the engine will continue to misfire. And then one day the engine stops misfiring and is able to run smoothly as it does for the Metaforim to be effective. With diet and Metaforim, the glucose will decrease in the blood but it doesn't happen overnight.

Sorry for the car analogy but It's in terms I would explain it to hubby.

Not enough insulin or insulin receptors not working properly are the factors behind Type 2 diabetes. It could be either or both.

A few weeks ago I was living in fear that the medication and diet would not be enough. That I would need insulin. Now I have hope, that I can do this. My body is still sluggish and  I'm constantly tired, but each day I continue to move forward because if I don't fight for me who will?