Diabetes

There are numerous websites, books and general information leaflets out there on this subject. Most people know, if not in detail, what diabetes is. But until you, or somebody close to you becomes effected by it, it is somebody else's problem. Yet due to the fact that diabetes is increasing, to avoid having to embrace this life changing illness, perhaps we should all just keep a closer eye on our own, as well as our children's, diets and lifestyles a little more. As the saying goes: Prevention is better than cure.

Diabetes is what happens when the body receives an ongoing deficiency in the secretion or action of insulin - a hormone made by the pancreas, which controls our glucose (blood sugar) levels. There are 2 types of diabetes simply known as Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 Diabetes is a result of too little insulin in the body. Genetic factors are often responsible for an individual's predisposition to this type of diabetes, which is why it would be more commonly found in children and young adults. It can often be as a result of damaged cells in the pancreas due to an autoimmune attack on the body - where the body's own defence system attacks itself. For this type of diabetes regular insulin injections are what is used to maintain the insulin balance within the body.

With type 2 Diabetes the cells in the body do not respond as they should, either due to a lack of insulin receptors or to improper functioning of the receptors, thereby allowing too much insulin into the body. There are drugs out there that can help the body better respond to its own insulin being produced, as well as working with the bodies resistance to insulin. However, Physicians will also strongly encourage people suffering from type 2 diabetes to engage in a weight loss program, inclusive of diet and exercise.

It is important to know that the effects of too much glucose in the body can effect the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Because there is so much information out there on diabetes, I will not go into any further detail here, but supply you with what I think are a few very informative websites on the subject, in no particular order.

Wikipedia
Diabetes.org
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)

Reflexology has been proven in many case studies to help with diabetes. It is particularly helpful with the related health conditions associated with diabetes. With this in mind it would show to be of more benefit to people who develop the late onset of type 2 diabetes. In all cases, Reflexology would only be practised with the consent of the diabetics own GP, and with their own personal maintenance of their insulin levels.

 

 

 

 

Lara O'Connell, Dip. Reflex. MNRRI. Main Street, Kinvara, Co Galway, Ireland. Ph:+353 (0) 86 277 5212.