Diabetes is a condition that dissables the body's ability to process glucouse. According to International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2015, an estimate of 69.2 million Indians are Diabetic. Without ongoing, careful management diabetes can lead to increase of sugar in your blood stream, which can increase your risk of having dangerous complications like stroke or heart diseases.
There are different types of diabetes , not all of them occur due to being overweight or consumption of alot of sweet. Infact some are present from childhood.
Type 1 Diabetes - It is also know as juvenile diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce Insulin. People withtype 1 diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong treatment once it develops. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, although it is more common in children and youngadults. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, intense fatigue, weightloss without reason. If not treated and managed properly alot of dangerous health risks can occur, for example Diabetic retinopathy which means due to high glucose the walls of your retina can weaken which eventually leads to blindness, or Diabetic kidney disease which means while fitering excess glucose from the blood stream due to overworking kidneys end up failing, Cardiovascular disease, gum disease and depression are other examples. till date there is no full cure to type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes - This is the most common form of diabetes, it happens due to problem with production or usage of insulin. It can appear at any age but it is most common after the age of 45. It has strong links with inactivity, obesity and stress. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are Frequent urination and increased thirst , increased hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and infection and sores. If someone notices these symptoms they should go for a checkup as soon as possible, if you catch this disease early on, it is easier to manage it. There are few more symptoms if a child or young adult has type 2 diabetes, as such - excess weight, inactivity, family history of type 2 diabetes,extreme thirst or dry mouth, wounds heal at a slower pace, itchy skin, numbness in hands and feet, or urinary tract infection. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in the younger generation. A possible sign of type 2 diabetes are darkened areas in the neck, elbows, knees and knuckles , also know as acanthosis nigricans. There are several emergency complications that can occur if the glucose rises too high or drops too low. If blood glucoses falls lower than 70 mg/dl then its called hypoglycemia or low blood-glucose. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are confusion, dizziness, mood changes, rapid heartbeat, losing consciousness, sweating etc. If blood glucose rises too far its called hyperglycemia or high blood-glucose. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include difficulty breathing, dry mouth, vomitting or coma. Treatment aims to keep blood glucose levels stable at a healthy level and prevent complications. The main ways to do this are through lifestyle measures. It includes maintaing a healthy diet, maintaining a health BMI ,regular exercise, enough sleep, avoiding smoking, and taking prescribed medication.
Gestational diabetes- This type of diabetes occurs during a woman's pregnancy when a woman becomes sensitive to insulin. This type of diabetes doesn't effect every pregnant woman and usually resolves after pregnancy.
Prediabetes - Some people are prediabetic or borderline- diabetic. It means that the blood sugar is higher than usual but not high enough to be diabetic. The risk factor of pre-diabetics and type 2 diabetics are similar, which include being overweight, family history of diabetes, history of PCOS, having a sedentary lifestyle, etc.If a doctor identifies that a person has prediabetes, they will recommend that the individual makes healthful changes that can ideally stop the progression to type 2 diabetes. Losing weight and having a more healthful diet can often help prevent the disease.
Exercise and Diet
If a doctor diagnoses a person with type 2 diabetes, they will often recommend making lifestyle changes to support weight loss and overall health. A doctor may refer a person with diabetes or prediabetes to a nutritionist. A specialist can help a person with diabetes lead an active, balanced lifestyle and manage the condition.
Steps to attain a healthy lifestyle starts with what you consume - Eating a diet high in fresh, nutritious foods, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and healthy fat sources, such as nuts. Avoiding high-sugar foods that provide emptycalories, or calories that do not have other nutritional benefits, such as sweetened sodas, fried foods, and high-sugar desserts. Refrain from drinking excess amounts of alcohol.
Then comes regular exercise which has alot of benefits including stable blood glucose. Engaging in at least 30 minutes exercise a day on at least 5 days of the week, such as of walking, aerobics, riding a bike, or swimming. Reducing BMI index to attain a healthy BMI can smooth things out. Slow, steady weight loss goals are more likely to help a person retain long-term benefits
Medication and Insulin
Insulin - People with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes may need to inject or inhale insulin to keep their blood sugar levels from becoming too high. Various types of insulin are available, and most are grouped by how long their effect lasts. There are rapid, regular, intermediate, and long-acting insulins. Some people will use a long-acting insulin injection to maintain consistently low blood sugar levels. Some people may use short-acting insulin or a combination of insulin types. Whatever the type, a person will usually check their blood glucose levels using a fingerstick. This method of checking blood sugar levels involves using a special, portable machine called a glucometer. A person with type I diabetes will then use the reading of their blood sugar level to determine how much insulin they need. Self-monitoring is the only way a person can find out their blood sugar levels. Assuming the level from any physical symptoms that occur may be dangerous unless a person suspects extremely low glucose and thinks they need a rapid dose of glucose.
Medication - For type 2 diabetes, a doctor may prescribe metformin in pill or liquid form. It helps lowering blood glucose and makes insulin more efficient. It can also help in weight loss. Having a healthy weight can reduce the impact of diabetes. A person may also have other health risks, and they may need medication to control these. A doctor will advise the individual about their needs. Some medication can have intense side effects , for example - gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea and a loss of appetite or a higher risk of urinary and genital infections and ketoacidosis.
By Radhika Kakkar.
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