Diabetes, as defined by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 9th edition "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured", refers to the body's inability to handle or metabolize simple sugars like glucose. The actual problem from diabetes is the ineffective action or lack of action from insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose into the cells; without it the glucose cannot enter and the cells effectively starve.
High Sugar Diet
Diets high in sugar or high in simple carbohydrates will lead to an influx of glucose in the blood once the stomach and small intestines have digested the food. Insulin is stored in beta cells inside the pancreas. When these cells die, the body does not replace them, so that means we have a certain amount of insulin in our bodies. Eating high sugar diets will cause these beta cells to run out sooner than normal and work harder than normal. Even if the cells do not die, the body itself can become "insulin resistant" much like a worn key does not open a lock as well. Glucose needs to find a way into the cells, without insulin it will remain in the blood stream.
High Blood Sugar Side Effects
Once the levels of glucose in the blood rises to more than 200mg/dL, or almost double the normal value, the kidneys will work to excrete the excess sugar in the urine. When you have enough water in your body and the blood sugar does not rise to double the levels that often, your body will handle it. However, if you happen to be dehydrated and go into a state of high blood sugar often, it becomes harder for your body to regulate the blood sugar without side effects. According to Kidshealth.org, the first and most common side effects are excessive thirst and urination. Sometimes people will also feel excessively hungry because the body is "starving" from not being able to get glucose into the cells.
Typical Symptoms
Many times a diabetic with hyperglycemia will appear drunk by slurring his words and staggering. A sweet odor on the breath will be noted as well, due to the body trying to burn off the ketone acids. The body will also still be trying to get rid of the excess glucose as well so dehydration symptoms like sunken eyes and dry, warm skin are noticeable, states the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Long-Term Side Effects
The kidneys may not be able to excrete all the excess glucose, so the levels in the blood continue to rise. When the cells cannot get the glucose, it will turn to fat for energy production. The side effect of using fat is the production of ketones and other fatty acids. Acids are hard for the body to excrete so the body will go into acidosis. Diabetics will go into a form of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This leads to vomiting, abdominal pain and deep, rapid breathing. All of these symptoms are the body's attempt to decrease the level of acids. When insulin cannot be introduced to restore glucose as the energy source, the body will continue to decline into unconsciousness, coma and possibly death. The diabetic coma is severe and is not only caused from the high acids but the combination of being dehydrated and having hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), states the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
References
- Diabetes.org
- Diabetes Overview
- "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured - 9th edition" American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 2005
