[MERGED] Diabetes

[tRiStAn]

My father was diabetic. What are the chances that I may also be diabetic? What are the symptoms?

[Dokman]

As Diabetes is considered a disease you get through the genes, there's a chance you may get it. The classical symptoms of polyphagia (laging gutom, kain nang kain), polydipsia (laging uhaw, inom nang inom) and polyuria (syempre, wee nang wee) are usually seen if your blood sugar is already very high. Periodical check of your blood sugar would be helpful.

[PAOUEE]

THERE'S NO CHANCE DAT YOU COULD BE A DIABETIC . THE PERSON WHO COULD ACQUIRE YOUR DAD'S DIABETES IS UR OFFSPRING( *** ANAK MO). HINDI UN NAKUKUHA NG ANAK DIRECTLY FROM THE PARENT BUT THE GRAND-OFFSPRING ITSELF. GANUN DAW UN KC *** BRO KO ME DIABETES. PAG ME DIABETES, U ALWAYS CRAVE FOR LIQUIDS, U ALWAYS PEE,AND U ALWAYS SLEEP...(GNUN KC BRO KO,,DUNNO TO OTHERS)#

[Ira]

That's not true, Paouee. He could acquire diabetes from his dad's genes.

[PAOUEE]

BUT IRA, MY BRO GOT HIS SICKNES WEN HE WAS 3 YRS OLD... *** TLAGA SAMEN ANG ME DIABETES... KAHIT SINO, **** MALAYONG RELATIVES...D DOCS TOLD US NA NANGGALING UN SA DEFFECT NG PANCREAS NYA

[Ira]

Just because your parents didn't have it doesn't mean that it's not possible for others, Paouee. The transmission of the Type I diabetes (which your brother has) gene is not as simple as that. It's been discovered since way back that susceptibility genes in type I diabetes likely resides on the 6th chromosome, which you acquire from your parents. It depends on the mixture of genes of both your dad's and your mom's. While your father may not have it, other people's dads' genes, combined with their moms', may manifest as Type I diabetes mellitus. A basic tenet of type I diabetes mellitus is that a genetic susceptibility to the disease is present. Your dad or your mom, or some blood relatives may have been carriers of the gene, but as you probably know, susceptibility to a disease doesn't always manifest itself in each and every generation. And yes, diabetes, whether type I or type II, is a pancreatic disease. The inherited disease causes the body to regard the pancreas' beta cells to be destroyed by the person's antibodies.

[bayblishuz]

Hi Doc Ira & Docman,

My mom's side of the family are almost all diabetic, what are the chances that I get it?

My mom had hers when she was around 39 (according to her endocrinologist she probably had it at that age because her babies kept increasing in weight i.e. I am the last child and was born 9.9lbs.)
although she was only diagnosed with it when she was in her 50's already.

I have some of the symptoms like I pee a lot (sometimes 12x a day) and I'm always thirsty, and I get tired easily (although that could be because of my anemia.) However, I had my mom check my sugar level with one of those gizmos where u ***** ur finger and pop a lithium (tama ba?) paper inside a gadget and it tells you your sugar level, well I'm normal naman.

Should I be worried? Is it true that the youngest offspring is more prone to the disease as compared to the older ones. My mom comes from a big family and although they all have diabetes, hers is one of the highest, and she is the youngest.

Would appreciate your inputs, thanks!!


[This message has been edited by bayblishuz (edited 04-27-2000).]

[Ira]

You have a higher than normal chance of getting it, although it's not a certain endpoint. From what I remember, transmission is around <;10% naman--but don't quote me on this. Your mom most probably was diabetic when she gave birth to you--9.9 lbs is way, way over the normal Filipino birth weight.

The classic triad of diabetes is frequent urination, frequent hunger, and frequent thirst; however, a lot of times, diabetics do not have all these symptoms, or these symptoms come when the diabetes is already advanced. What you can do is have an annual FASTING blood sugar examination, if you're worried about it. Ask your mother's endocrinologist to request for you a baseline blood sugar level. Maybe have it done during your birthdays, that way you won't forget. And watch your diet, try not to gain too much weight, avoid fatty foods. Obesity makes you even more prone to develop diabetes. The youngest offspring is not more prone than the other children, but then, if you're prone to it, I don't think that's really much of a consolation. Don't worry, though, diabetes is not a death sentence. With proper, sensible care, diabetics can--and do--live normal lives.

[tRiStAn]

Ira what's the normal blood sugar level?

[Yoshi]

Uhm, tRiStAn, hirit lang ako.

Eh di ba sabi mo sa isang forum na baka hindi ka anak ng mga magulang mo dahil hindi compatible blood types ninyo? So, wala ka talagang problema...

[tRiStAn]

o sige, yoshi, ihahain ko na ang aking mga sekreto upang inyong pagpistahan.

may posibilidad pa rin na tunay na anak ako ng tatay ko.

[Ira]

Normal glucose level would be 60-115 mg/dL (conventional unit), or 3.3-6.3 mmol/L (SI unit), give or take a few units for both, depending on where you have your blood examined. The machines have different calibrations, and normal units for each laboratory are indicated in the lab results form.

[Ira]

Being too thin implies that you're not getting any nourishment, ergo, your immune system is weak. However, if you get your regular exercises and eat the right food, then you're okay. You are a tad underweight, but an additional 5-10 lbs. may help.

[bayblishuz]

Thanks Doc Ira!

As for the gaining weight, I'm kinda safe from that coz I've been on the slim side all my life, sometimes nga I tend to go underweight, will that complicate things for me too (w respect to diabetes?) I'm around 5'2" in height and only weigh from 100-105 lbs, is that ok or do i need to gain a bit more weight. Kasi my mom said before that although it's better to be slim when you're a diabetic, it's also bad if you're too thin coz it causes complications, is that right?

[Yoshi]

tRiStAn: Hehehe!

Ira: What's the difference between the insulin injection and the oral medication (my friend takes a tablet before meals)? How long can you last on these medications?

[Ira]

Oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) are the first line of drugs used for diabetes that cannot be treated by diet change alone. Insulin is used for type I diabetes (juvenile diabetes, like the one Gary Valenciano has), and type II diabetes which cannot be controlled by or does not respond to OHAs.

[Dokman]

bayblishuz, as Ira mentioned, yup, you're at risk of having diabetes in the future. As Ira said, even though it's not 100% that you'll get it, it is prudent that you check your blood sugar at least once a year. Depending on the outcome, the fasting blood sugar may be measured more often. If your fasting blood sugar is more than 115 mg/dl but not more than 200, it does not mean you already have diabetes. It may only mean you have an impaired glucose tolerance. Strictly speaking, you have diabetes if your FBS is more than 200 mg/dl.

As to the question regarding insulin and OHAs, one is given the former if you are an Insulin dependent diabetic. Just remember that what controls the level of sugar in the blood is Insulin which is produced in the Pancreas. OHAs are given together with the assumption that the pancreas still produce Insulin, kaya lang not enough. Kung sira na ang production ng Insulin, then you need exogenous insulin, not OHAs. (Ang hirap mag-type, sakit kasi ng sunburn ko...hehehe).

[bayblishuz]

Thanks Doc Ira and Docman!

I'm a bit scared na nga that I'll get diabetes eh, it's so hard to have diabetes, diba almost all major organs can be affected if not treated properly?

What can I do to prevent it? Will eating a lot of sugar...chocolate....fruit juices...candy etc make my chances of getting diabetes worse?

[Ira]

The complications of diabetes is systemic, and involves almost all systems of the body, from the kidneys and the nervous system down to the eyes and skin---you name it, diabetes can probably affect it.

A very effective way of preventing diabetes is simply to develop healthy eating habits (low fat, of course) and maintaining a regular exercise schedule. Occassional treats like chocolates and candies is okay, but don't let it be part of a regular diet.

[Dimitry]

Where I can find?

Insulin pump for Diabetes I

-newly developed
-automatic, if blood sugar is passed above normal,
automatically it released insulin
-Where and who is the doctor to call and contact

thanks for your response in advance!!!!