Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is a nutritional disorder, characterised by the passage of a large volume of  urine containing sugar. The normal volume of urine passed daily is about three pints, but in the case of a diabetic person it can vary from anywhere between eight to forty pints.

The urine of a diabetic person will be of a pale colour, will have an acidic reaction and also a sweetish odour.

Diabetes results from a reduced ability or a complete inability of the tissues to utilize carbohydrates. when the body is unable to burn up all the glucose, the excess is thrown out by the kidneys. There are small specialised cells in the pancreas which play an important role in the process of the assimilation of sugar.The inadequate secretions by these cells is what causes diabetes in a person. These cells, although microscopic in appearance, have a powerful influence on the metabolism of the body. The normal fasting blood sugar  content is 80 to 120 milligrams per cent. This can go up to a level of 180 milligrams per cent two hours after meals. Anything above these norms can be termed diabetic levels. A diabetic person will fell hungry and thirsty most of the time and will not put on weight even though he may eat every now and then. He is prone to getting tired easily, both physically and mentally. He may look pale, may suffer from anemia, constipation, intense itching around the genitals, palpitation and general weakness. He is likely to feel drowsy and will have a lower sexual urge as compared to that of a normal person.

Diabetes is not just a local disease of the pancreas, but it is actually sign of a general physical degeneration, affecting the functioning of the liver and changes in the arteries caused by a toxic condition of the bloodstream. The chief cause of this kind of toxic condition is due to a systematic overeating of sugar and carbohydrates as also of proteins and fats which are transferred into sugar if taken in excess. Grief, worry and anxiety also have a deep influence on the metabolism and may cause sugar to appear in the urine. Heredity is also a major factor in the development of this disease.