What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a long-term medical disorder that develops when the body is unable to control its levels of glucose, or blood sugar. An essential energy source for all body cells is glucose, and the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, which regulates glucose levels.
The standard approach to managing diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range by using a mix of medication, dietary modifications, frequent exercise, and blood glucose monitoring. It’s critical for people with diabetes to collaborate closely with medical specialists to create a customised treatment plan and to routinely assess their status.
what are the symptoms of diabetes?
1.Frequent Urination: Among the most prevalent early indicators of diabetes are increased thirst and frequent urination. Urine is the body’s attempt to remove extra glucose from the blood.
2.Increased Hungry: Diabetics may experience severe hunger even after eating. This occurs because the body is unable to efficiently turn food into energy.
3.Unexplained Weight Loss: People with diabetes may lose weight even if they are consuming more than normal. With Type 1 diabetes, this is frequently more prevalent.
4.Fatigue: Diabetic symptoms may include excessive fatigue or low energy levels.
5.Vision weakness: Elevated blood sugar can alter the structure of the lens in the eye, resulting in impaired vision.
6.Slow Wound Healing: Cuts and bruises may take longer to heal if you have diabetes, which can impair the body’s healing capacity.
7.Recurrent Infections: Diabetes can impair immunity, increasing a person’s susceptibility to infections, especially skin and urinary tract infections.
8.High blood sugar levels can impact nerves, causing tingling or numbness, particularly in the extremities. This can cause tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
9.Dry Skin and Itching: Poor circulation and dehydration of the skin are common causes of dry skin and itching associated with diabetes.
10.Yeast Infections: Women who have diabetes may get infections more frequently.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
1.Testing for fasting plasma glucose (FPG):
After an overnight fast, blood glucose levels are measured with this test.
Generally, diabetes is defined as a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or above on two different occasion.
2.The OGTT, or oral glucose tolerance test,
The more extensive OGTT entails an overnight fast followed by the consumption of a glucose solution.
After then, during the course of the following few hours, blood glucose levels are checked periodically.
Two hours after consuming the solution, a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above is suggestive of diabetes.
3.Test for haemoglobin A1c:
An average of blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months is provided by this test.
A1c levels 6.5% or more are considered diagnostic for diabetes.
4.Test for Random Plasma Glucose:
Blood must be drawn for this test at any time, regardless of when the subject last had food.
Diabetes symptoms along with a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above may suggest the existence of the illness.
5.The Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) test:
analyses the average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months and is comparable to the A1c test.
A HbA1c score of 6.5% or above is thought to indicate the presence of diabetes.
Types of diabetes?
Diabetes type 1:
The immune system targets and kills the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin in people with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease. The body can’t create insulin as a result.
When it first appears: It can happen at any age, however it is typically diagnosed in kids and teens.
Treatment: Blood sugar management requires insulin therapy.
Diabetes type 2:
The body either cannot use the insulin it generates efficiently or does not make enough of it when it has Type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar and insulin resistance result from this.
Start: It usually affects adults, but as obesity rates are on the rise, it can also impact kids and teenagers.
Treatment: Dietary and activity modifications were used at first to control the condition. In certain instances, prescription drugs or insulin therapy may be necessary.
Diabetes during pregnancy:
The condition known as gestational diabetes arises when the body is unable to manufacture enough insulin to satisfy the increasing demands of pregnancy. Raised blood sugar levels may result from this.
start: Usually appears during pregnancy and goes away after delivery.
Treatment: In certain situations, insulin medication, dietary modifications, and physical exercise may be advised to control blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
what causes diabetes?
- Causes of Type 1 Diabetes.
When insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are mistakenly attacked and destroyed by the immune system, . It’s unclear exactly what triggers this autoimmune reaction, but a mix of environmental and genetic variables are believed to be responsible.
- Causes of Type 2 Diabetes.
Insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells do not react to insulin as intended, is frequently linked to type 2 diabetes. In order to make up for this, the pancreas progressively produces more insulin, which eventually causes a reduction in insulin production. Type 2 diabetes has a variety of specific causes, some of which are as follows:
Genetics: Certain genes may raise the chance of Type 2 diabetes, and family history may also be a factor.
Lifestyle Factors: A poor diet, inactivity, and obesity all play a major role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Age: After the age of forty-five, in particular, there is an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Ethnicity: A number of ethnic groups, including Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic/Latino Americans, are at a high risk.
- causes during pregnancy Diabetes:
Pregnancy-related hormonal changes that impact insulin action are thought to be the cause of this kind of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to strike women who have gestational diabetes in the future.
- Other Diabetes Types causes: While secondary diabetes and monogenic diabetes are less common types of the disease, they both have distinct aetiologies. Differentiating between monogenic and secondary diabetes is based on the presence of a single gene mutation, pancreatic diseases, hormonal abnormalities, or particular drugs causing diabetes.
How is diabetes treated?
- Type 1 Diabetes Treated as:
Insulin therapy :is necessary for people with Type 1 diabetes since their bodies are unable to manufacture insulin. Usually, an insulin pump, pen, or syringe is used to inject insulin subcutaneously.
Continuous Glycemic Monitoring (CGM): A few people with Type 1 diabetes use CGM devices to track their blood sugar levels on a constant basis. This provides real-time information that helps with insulin dosage management.
- Type 1 Diabetes Treated as:
Lifestyle Modifications: Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise are all essential for managing Type 2 diabetes. This can entail creating a balanced meal plan in collaboration with a dietician or other healthcare professional.
Oral Medicines: In certain circumstances, doctors may prescribe oral drugs to help lower blood sugar levels. These drugs function in different ways, like raising insulin sensitivity or decreasing the liver’s ability to produce glucose.
Injectable Medicines: To assist regulate blood sugar levels, doctors may occasionally prescribe injectable drugs like insulin or GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Blood glucose levels in both types of diabetes must be regularly monitored to make sure they remain within the desired range. To avoid difficulties, it’s also critical to control other risk factors including blood pressure and cholesterol.
what is the role of insulin in Diabetes?
When a person has Type 1 diabetes, their immune system accidentally targets and kills the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin.
The pancreas thus generates very little or no insulin.
In the absence of insulin, glucose cannot be absorbed by cells and used as fuel, which causes blood sugar levels to rise.
Insulin resistance, or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently, is the cause of Type 2 diabetes.
In order to make up for insulin resistance, the pancreas may initially generate more insulin.
Blood glucose levels may rise when the pancreas is unable to continue producing more insulin over time.
When insulin is absent or ineffective, blood sugar levels rise in both types of diabetes. If these levels are not effectively controlled, this can result in a number of issues. To use glucose for energy or store it for later use, the body needs insulin to assist cells absorb it from the bloodstream. Furthermore, it helps keep the liver from producing too much glucose.
what are the complications of Diabetes?
Heart issues: Diabetes raises the chance of developing heart issues, such as peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Nerve damage (neuropathy):Long-term elevated blood sugar levels can harm the body’s nerves, resulting in conditions including peripheral neuropathy, which affects the extremities and can cause pain or numbness, autonomic neuropathy, which affects internal organs, and other nerve-related disorders.
Kidney damage (nephropathy):Diabetes can harm the kidneys, resulting in nephropathy, kidney disease, and ultimately renal failure.
Eye complications:Diabetes can cause visual disorders such as cataracts, an increased risk of glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which is damage to the blood vessels in the retina.
Skin issues: Diabetes patients may be more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections on their skin, particularly if their blood sugar levels are poorly managed.
Foot complications: Diabetes can increase the risk of infections, ulcers, and, in extreme situations, amputation by causing poor circulation and nerve damage in the feet.
what is the recommended diet for people with Diabetes?
- Controlling Carbohydrates:
1.To assist in controlling blood sugar levels, watch and limit your intake of carbohydrates.
2.Select complex carbs including whole grains, legumes, and veggies that have a low glycemic index.
3.Pay attention to portion amounts to prevent blood sugar rises. - Consumption of Protein:
1.Incorporate low-fat dairy, fish, poultry, tofu, and lentils as sources of lean protein.
2.Both a sense of fullness and blood sugar stabilisation can be achieved with protein. - Healthy Fats:
1.Select foods like avocados, almonds, seeds, and olive oil that are high in healthful fats.
2.Reduce your intake of processed snacks, fried foods, and some animal products that contain saturated and trans fats. - Foods High in Fibre:
1.Consume a diet rich in fibre from foods including legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
2.Fibre promotes general digestive health and aids with blood sugar regulation. - Well-Balanced Meals:
1.Aim for meals that are well-balanced and contain a mix of healthy fats, protein, and carbs.
2.Stabilising blood sugar levels can be achieved by eating at regular intervals throughout the day. - Reduce the amount of added sugars:
1.Eat and drink as little of these added-sugar foods and beverages as possible to avoid blood sugar increases. - Control of Portion:
2.Take note of serving quantities to prevent overindulging and to better control blood sugar levels.
3.Regular Monitoring:
Follow the advice of medical professionals and routinely check your blood sugar levels to learn how different foods affect your body’s reaction.
Exercises for Diabetes
- Walking briskly.
- Doing housework.
- Mowing the lawn.
- Dancing.
- Swimming.
- Bicycling.
- Playing Sports.