Diabetes: All you need to know

Diabetes is a common metabolic disease that results in low-insulin production or interferes with the proper usage of the insulin in one’s body.

The Pancreas is an organ that is positioned behind the lower part of your stomach. One of its chief functions is to make Insulin, a hormone that controls the absorption of sugar (glucose) into your cells. If the Pancreas doesn’t create enough insulin, or the body fails to respond effectively to the insulin, blood sugar levels can go up resulting in diabetes.

TYPES

There are four different types of Diabetes:

Type I Diabetes: Patients with Type I diabetes cannot produce insulin and require

Types II Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus: Patients with Type II diabetes don’t make enough insulin or cannot utilise it well

Gestational Diabetes: During pregnancy, some women develop high-blood sugar. This condition almost always resolves itself after childbirth.

Prediabetes: Patients with prediabetes have higher than normal blood sugar levels, yet lesser than levels that constitute as diabetes. These individuals are at very high risk of developing Type II diabetes.

SYMPTOMS

As blood sugar levels rise in the body, the patient will start to notice the following symptoms:

• Increased hunger and thirst
• Dehydration
• Slow-healing wounds
• Sores that don’t heal
• Frequent urination
• Frequent infections
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss / Weight gain
• Dry mouth,
• Women – urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin

RISK FACTORS

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease, which means there are many contributing factors that could result in the condition.

• Family History of the disease
• Obesity
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Advancing Age
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides

Since individuals with family history of the disease are at a high-risk for diabetes, they should ensure a healthy diet, regular exercise and regular check-ups to stay ahead of the disease.

MANAGEMENT

While we can’t fully cure the disease, managing diabetes well is imperative to leading a long and healthy life.

Medications

People with Type I diabetes producing no insulin need regular insulin shots. People with Type II diabetes and gestational diabetes may also sometimes be required to take medications. If you have been prescribed medicines for this condition, it is vital to take these regularly.

Exercise & Diet

Everyone knows that an active and balanced lifestyle is the key to a healthy body but for a diabetes patient, a healthy low-sugar diet and exercise is the first step to controlling your blood-sugar levels. Working towards getting a healthy BMI would also help manage the condition. 

Test regularly

Checking your blood sugar regularly is the first step keeping your diabetes in check. Regular monitoring of the condition will remind you to skip to sugary snacks, exercise and ensure you work towards better results the next time.