The ABC’s of Diabetes

Following a Healthy Lifestyle can Prevent Diabetes

High blood sugar levels are synonymous with diabetes. Too little insulin produced in the pancreas, body not accepting or making use of the insulin produced or both these together can be reasons for diabetic patients to have increased blood glucose levels. It is possible to manage diabetes with an efficient health care team that holds responsibility for medical assistance, a healthy diet plan and physical activity.

India has more than 70 million people suffering from diabetes across all age groups with many more remaining undiagnosed. It is an irony that almost everyone knows someone suffering from diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, due to excess weight gain, is the most common form of the disease which develops slowly over time. Diabetes is of great risk as it paves way for many other diseases such as heart attack, stroke and kidney, eye and nerve damage. While the cause for diabetes is not completely understood, experts feel that genetics, illness, overweight and aging are triggering factors. Food is not a cause but a cure for managing diabetes.

Insulin Availability & Sugar Levels
To completely understand diabetes, we first need to learn the relationship between insulin and glucose. Insulin allows glucose to pass through cells making it available to our body to use and store the energy.
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Though pancreas secretes insulin, the insulin is either not used by the cells or the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin. This is characteristic of Type 2 diabetes. The restricted glucose builds up in the blood and a person having high glucose levels is termed to be having high blood sugar. Such high blood sugar levels travel through our body damaging the cells that cross their way.

Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Common signs or symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Excess thirst
• Weight loss
• Tiredness and irritability
• Blurred vision

• Poor blood circulation leading to numbness in hands or feet
• Frequent illness or infection​
  

What Aspects Arouse Suspicion of Diabetes?

If you doubt one or more of these symptoms in your body, please visit your physician immediately. You doctor is the right person to confirm diabetes using any of these tests given below:​

• Fasting Plasma Glucose: Blood sample is collected from a fasting person (someone who remains without food for 8 to 12 hours) to check the amount of glucose present.
• HgA1C: If you want to know your average blood glucose levels over a period of two to three months, doctor would suggest taking up this test. This test gives you the quantity of glucose sticking to the red blood cell (hemoglobin; Hg).
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: Test results procured here are compared with standard non-diabetic results and show how the body uses glucose over time. This is also performed after an overnight fast. Blood glucose samples are taken early in the morning, the patient is given a high-glucose beverage to consume and blood samples are again taken after two hours.

Diabetic goals include:

• Maintaining normal blood glucose and blood pressure levels to reduce or prevent complications.
• Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, following a nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle to prevent or reduce medical complications.
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Balance Insulin & Glucose Levels
Normal blood glucose levels include:

•  80 to 130 mg/dl (before a meal)
• <180 mg/dl (1 to 2 hours after beginning a meal)
•  HgA1c 7% (average glucose over 3 months)
  
  

Along with diet modifications, weight management and physical activity, some people need medication or insulin injections to manage the blood glucose levels. If you are looking out for assistance to control diabetes through lifestyle modifications, you can get in touch with dietitians/nutritionists who specialize in diabetes control at www.firsteatright.com.