Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease
that affects your body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a
hormone. The food you eat is converted into energy (also called sugar or
glucose). This energy is to be carried to the cells for utilization. Insulin
which is released by Pancreas helps this transport of energy from blood to the
cells. If you produce little or no insulin, or are insulin resistant, too much
sugar remains in your blood as it does not reach the cells for utilization. Hence
the Blood Sugar levels are higher than normal for individuals with diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital to your health because it's an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It's also your brain's main source of fuel.
If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, although the causes may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems.
Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes — when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes — and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy but may resolve after the baby is delivered.
Three types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes (formerly
called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent
diabetes), accounts for 5 to 10 out of 100 people who have diabetes. In
type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin
production from the body. Without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar
(glucose), which they need to produce energy.
- Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset or non–insulin-dependent diabetes) can develop at any age. It most commonly becomes apparent during adulthood. But type 2 diabetes in children is rising. Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority of people who have diabetes—90 to 95 out of 100 people. In type 2 diabetes, the body isn't able to use insulin the right way. This is called insulin resistance. As type 2 diabetes gets worse, the pancreas may make less and less insulin. This is called insulin deficiency.
- Gestational diabetes: This type affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose. Diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made during pregnancy.
Symptoms:
Diabetes symptoms vary depending on
how much your blood sugar is elevated. Some people, especially those with
prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not experience symptoms initially. In type
1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe.
Some of the signs and symptoms of
type 1 and type 2 diabetes are:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are a
byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not
enough available insulin)
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections
and vaginal infections
Although type 1 diabetes can develop
at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2
diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age, though it's more common
in people older than 40.
Diet
Following diet helps in maintaining overall
health of a person which directly helps in regulating the diabetic condition.
However, kindly consult your dietician before following any particular diet
regime.
·
Limiting foods that
are high in sugar
·
Eating smaller
portions, spread out over the day
·
Being careful about
when and how many carbohydrates you eat
·
Eating a variety of
whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables every day
·
Eating less fat
·
Limiting your use of
alcohol
·
Using less salt
Exercise
A regular exercise regime helps maintain a
healthy body and soul. Please ask your physician before starting any specific
exercise routine.
· Start slowly with
walking. If you are out of shape, walk for 5 - 10 minutes.
· Try to set a goal of
fast walking. You should do this for 30 - 45 minutes at least 5 days a week. Do
more if you can. Swimming or exercise classes are also good.
· If you use insulin,
ask your doctor when you should eat before you exercise. Also find out how to
adjust your dose when you exercise.
· Your health care
provider should make sure your exercise program is safe for you.
· Call your doctor if
you feel faint, have chest pain, or feel short of breath when you exercise.
