The immune systems of diabetes patients are actually at the root of type 1 diabetes. In fact, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. This means that the immune systems of diabetes type 1 patient’s turns against their own body. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune systems of diabetes patients turn against and attack the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. When these cells are destroyed, the pancreas’ production of insulin either slows way down or stops production completely. This means that the patients must somehow get insulin into their blood systems. Diabetes type 1 sufferers often need to inject insulin or take oral medication.
Type one diabetes is most often seen in childhood or in the young adult years. The beta cell destruction usually starts long before the diabetes is actually diagnosed, but early signs of it are increased thirst, increased hunger, blurry vision, increased urination, and unexplained fatigue. The immune systems of diabetes patients should be the primary focus of any alternative medicine measures the patient tries. Proper nutrition and exercise, among other things, are one way to strengthen the immune system. The earlier the patients try to improve the health of their immune systems, the better chance they have of not being insulin-dependent later in life. Type 2 diabetes is not the same, and for the purpose of this article will not be addressed.
The Digestive Systems of Diabetes Patients Also Suffers
Diabetes patients often suffer a delayed emptying of the stomach. Medically, this disorder is known as Gastroparesis. This digestive system can be affected in both diabetes type 1 and type 2.
In a normal digestive system, the vagus nerve controls the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, where digestion begins. It seems that diabetes is the main cause of damage to this nerve, thus being the leading cause of digestive systems of diabetes patients being affected.
When the blood sugar level is too high over a prolonged period, chemical changes in nerves occurs. This is due to the damage done to the small blood vessels that carry oxygen and other critical nutrients to the nerve. This nerve damage occurs in all the systems of diabetes patients. But damage to the vagus nerve is the reason for the slow emptying of the stomach. This can cause heartburn, vomiting, bloating, reflux and weight loss due to always feeling full.
Changing your eating habits can make a difference. Try eating six or more small meals daily instead of three larger meals. Foods high in fats should be avoided as well. Some patients have to resort to eating their food pureed.
