Diabetes, a very common ailment these days. And what is it exactly? Just raised sugar levels? No! Then how will prevent diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that causes raised sugar levels in the blood. In this, the body either produces no insulin or cannot utilize the insulin properly. The function of insulin is to move free sugar from the blood to cells for energy. When insulin doesn’t work or the body lacks insulin, the amount of sugar in blood increases. Untreated high blood sugar can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs.
Do I have diabetes?
How do you know for the fact that you got diabetes. There are several indications that point towards you taking the tests.
Firstly, if you have any patient in the family who has diabetes, you should get a regular check-up. Secondly look for symptoms like increased hunger, increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, blurry vision, extreme fatigue, and lesions or sores that do not heal. Other than these some other symptoms (less common) can be loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, increased frequency of urinary tract infection, etc.
Having any of these you should go and get yourself tested by blood examination that involves fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, and Hb1Ac, etc.
Eating sugar causes diabetes?
No, eating sugar does not cause diabetes but yes! If you already have diabetes, it is going to worsen the situation. Directly sugar does not affect the causation of diabetes. It will only make. you gain weight
Diabetic patients can’t eat sugar
No, none of this is true. Even the diabetics can eat sugar but in moderation. A little bit ain’t gonna hurt you.
Save me!!!
How are you gonna save yourself from the disease? Most importantly
Exercise
Being overweight is only going to increase the risk and cause complications whereas if you exercise a bit daily, the sugar levels in your body will be in control and risk of complications minimum.
At least 150mins of moderate type of exercise is required. You can divide it by 30-35min every day for a week or for an hour for 5 days a week.
Eating habits
If you have the disease, restrict your sugar intake. Don’t avoid it completely but take it in moderation. Some fruits are rich in sugar, thus take a limited portion of them. Go on for apple, avocados, oranges, guavas, peach, pear, and apricots, etc.
Your best choices would be eating fresh leafy veggies like spinach, cabbage, kale, etc. Choose brown rice over white rice; fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt over whole milk, and products. Quinoa, oatmeal is a healthy choice. Avoid flavored drinks and food that contains trans fat. A few of these changes and you are good to go.
When to see your doctor?
- Those in the age group 40 and above
- Those with a family history of diabetes
- The obese women who have had a baby weighing more than
4.5 kg (or 3.5 kg in constitutionally small populations) - Women who show excess weight gain during pregnancy,
and - Patients with premature atherosclerosis.
Medications
If you get diagnosed with diabetes, go on with insulin, biguanides, sglt-2 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors, etc depending upon the type of medicine. ALWAYS ALWAYS CONSULT A DOCTOR BEFORE YOU START ON THE MEDICATIONS. Pay special heed in cases of hypertension, pregnancy, or other associated diseases.
Do routine blood sugar level examinations at home. Fasting blood sugar levels must be less than 110mg/dL. Sugar levels above 126mg/dL correspond to diabetes. Everything in between is pre-diabetic.
Diabetes can be a fatal disease if not controlled. Ranging from blindness, nonhealing ulcers, and neuropathies, it can take away your life. Control before it is too late.