Page 42 - February Banner 2018_Neat

Page 42 February 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper
AS K Type 2 Diabetes
Lo by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic
Dr . & Nutritional Healing Center
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a
growing epidemic that afflicts more
than twenty-nine million people
in the United States today. Sadly,
most diabetics feel helpless and
clueless about how to reverse their
condition. Another concern is that
many of those with T2D are not
even aware they have diabetes, and
90 percent of those who have a
condition known as prediabetes are
not aware of their circumstances,
either. Most people do not realize
that T2D is a preventable disease
and can be reversed.
I will focus on T2D in this
article, as it is different from Type
1 diabetes, dubbed “juvenile onset
diabetes,” affecting around 1 in 250
Americans. Occurring in individuals
younger than age twenty, it has no
known cure. In type 1 diabetes,
your own immune system ravages
the insulin-producing cells of your
pancreas. Type 1 diabetics need to
be supplemented with insulin for the
rest of their lives, as failure to do so
will rapidly result in death.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when
the body produces insulin, but it
doesn’t work well—it is unable
to process glucose appropriately
or lower glucose levels effectively
due to insulin resistance. T2D used
to be referred to as “adult-onset”
diabetes, but it is becoming more
common in children and teenagers,
as well as adults of all ages. It now
accounts for 90-95 percent of all
diabetes. Glucose (the end product
of carbohydrate digestion) is needed
, Since 1970 Tap • Ballet • Jazz • Hip Hop
www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
for cells for energy and growth. various types of cancer, increased
Insulin helps glucose enter cells for inflammation without resolution,
either oxidation (burning) or storage poor wound healing, dental disease,
(of excess glucose as glycogen in loss of cognitive function, and
the liver). With insulin resistance, neuropathy (nerve damage). In the
glucose cannot properly enter cells. beginning stages of diabetes, many
Instead of the cells using glucose as people have no symptoms or mild
fuel, it builds up in the bloodstream, symptoms that aren’t suspected
leading to hyperglycemia (high of being diabetes. Symptoms may
blood sugar). For a while, the include: increased thirst, increased
pancreatic beta-cells pump out more hunger, increased urination
insulin to compensate for the added (especially at night), sores that
demand, so blood sugar levels stay don’t heal, fatigue, unaccounted for
under control. However, eventually, weight loss, and blurred vision.
the pancreas cannot keep up and Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c),
the body tips over into diabetes. a measure of long-term average
As insulin output falls, blood sugar blood sugar, was previously used
climbs. T2D is now defined as an only to monitor glucose control, but
epidemic. is now used to diagnose diabetes.
The definition of T2D has Also, “the optimum HbA1c seems
changed over the years. For to vary between patients.” A glucose
example, in the 1970s, a fasting tolerance test is usually used and/or
blood sugar over 140 resulted in a random glucose, fasting glucose, and
diagnosis; in 1997, it was decided two-hour glucose concentrations
that a fasting blood sugar over 126 after an oral glucose (a refined
was diabetes. That “little” alteration sugar) challenge.
converted over 1.6 million people Although T2D was thought
into diabetics. Medical treatment to involve genetic components,
guidelines have also changed it is becoming clear that if genes
strikingly since the 1980s. are involved, it is epigenetic
People with T2D are at risk for modifications—factors that turn
developing many complications. genes on or off—that create the
Some of the complications include: tendency. Epigenetic influences
heart disease, vascular disease are primarily environmental,
(including hypertension, heart including diet, chemical exposures,
attack, stroke), poor circulation medications, sedentary lifestyle,
(causing problems such as foot family history of diabetes, high
ulcers), eye damage (retinopathy blood pressure, and so forth.
that can lead to blindness), kidney However, the leading cause of
disease (progressing to kidney T2D is excess weight or obesity—
failure), bone fractures, arthritis, … Continued on page 43
ESP
Elower-Sicilia
Productions
Serving the Of Dance & Music
Community
Pre-School Creative
Lyrical
Acrobatics
Modern
Musical Theater
Ages 3 to Adult
For more information
301.271.7458
www.ESPdance.com
Home of the National Award winning E.S.P. Performing Company