What is Diabetes?
When we eat our body converts the food into sugar or glucose. Simultaneously, pancreas also start producing and releasing 'insulin' which open our cells and allows the glucose to enter, and enable our body to use the glucose as energy. Therefore, 'Diabetes' may be defined as a condition in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough 'insulin' or the body is incapable of using the 'insulin' effectively.
According to WHO 'Diabetes' has afflicted more than 400 million people all over the world and is likely to double in the next 10 to 12 years. Thus, it may take the form of an epidemic and the world will find it very hard to fight it out.
How is 'Diabetes' dignosed?
Patients suffering from 'Diabetes' show raised 'blood sugar level' or 'hyperglycaemia'. Thus, physicians measure the blood glucose level to diagnose 'Diabetes'. The most common test :-
- A Fasting Plasma Glucose Test' This is done by taking blood sample of the patient after the patient has gone without food for at least eight hours
- and 'Oral Glucose Tolerance Test"(OGTT) measures the body's ability to use glucose that is the body's main source of energy. This is done by taking blood sample of the patient at least two hours after intake of a 'glucose containing beverage'
Types of Diabetes
- Diabetes Type I - This is the type of 'Diabetes' in which the 'Pancreas' does not produce 'insulin' at all or produces a very low amount of 'insulin'. This is also called 'Juvenile Diabetes'. Patients suffering from this type of diabetes have to inject insulin throughout life. Scientists suspect this type of diabetes is usually a genetic one or viral attack
- Diabetes Type II - This is the type of 'Diabetes' in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body cannot utilize the insulin effectively. This type of 'Diabetes' is considered to be due to an unhealthy lifestyle, obesity and aversion to exercise. About 80 per cent of all the "Diabetes' cases fall under this category
- Gestational Diabetes - This type of 'Diabetes' is witnessed among women during pregnancy. This diabetes usually disappears during the post pregnancy period. If a woman develops gestational diabetes during her next pregnancy also, she may suffer from 'Type II' diabetes later in life
Indications or Symptoms of Diabetes
- Frequent urination
- Loss of Weight
- Excessive thirst
- Increased appetite
- Increased fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing wounds
- Lack of concentration and irritability
- Numbness in the feet and hand
High Risk Groups
- People who have a family history of diabetes
- People suffering from overweight and high blood pressure
- People above the age of 50 years and specially in case of overweight
- Woman who had diabetes during pregnancy
- Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity
- Low level of HDL or good cholesterol and high level of triglycerides
Effects of Diabetes on body
- People suffering from high blood sugar become prone to fatty deposits in the arteries and hardening of the walls of arteries which leads to 'Cardiovascular Diseases' which is a major cause of early death
- High blood pressure combined with high blood sugar result in chronic kidney diseases and failures
- Diabetes or high blood sugar often lead to 'Nerve Disorders'
- As diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels in 'Retina' it often leads to blurred vision and formation of catarac/glucoma and blindness also
Treatment
The aim of medical treatment in case of both Type I or Type II diabetic patients is to control the blood sugar or glucose level within the normal range with minimal excursions to low or high level.
Type I Diabetes Treatment
- Insulin
- Diabetic Diet &
- Physical Exercise
Type II Diabetes Treatment
- First of all weight reduction alongwith diabetic diet and physical exercise
- Oral medication is prescribe when these measures fail to control blood sugar level
- When oral medication does not show required effect, treatment with insulin starts as in case of Type I diabetes
Prevention of Diabetes
Prevention is better than cure. The following steps go a long way to prevent 'diabetes' specially one is overweight and has a family history of 'diabetes' and a sedentary lifestyle :
Physical Activity
- Physical activity is very important for all as well as for diabetic persons. Lose extra weight by walking, swimming or freehand exercises. Research shows aerobic exercise helps a lot to control diabetes
- Keep blood sugar or glucose level within control by periodic medical test specially if one is over 45 and overweight.
- Eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of fiber and less in calories
- Eat whole grain like whole grain bread, cereals etc
- Eat small amount of meat, chicken and fish. Avoid red meat. Avoid milk, butter and cheese products that contain 'high fat'. Avoid fried and spicy food. Lead a healthy life free from Diabetes.
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