Diabetes
Diabetes type, causes, symptoms and complications, prevention:
DIABETES is a metabolic and lifestyle disease that causes high blood sugar. Beta cells
produce Insulin Hormone in the pancreas, however imbalanced insulin secretion increases the sugar levels in the blood. Insulin hormone moves sugar from the blood into the cells, this sugar is stored and used for energy.
Different type of diabetes:
1) Type 1 diabetes (chronic diabetes)- Autoimmune disease, the immune system is
attacked & destroy beta cell in pancreas where insulin hormones are produced.
2) Type 2 diabetes (chronic diabetes) – Is a combination of life style (environmental
factors) and genetic factors, where overweight individual or ancestors’ genes in family
history, more likely to get type 2 diabetes.
3) Gestational diabetes- Result of hormonal changes, high blood sugar during pregnancy,
due to less sensitiveness to the effects of insulin.
4) Prediabetes- Occurs when blood sugar is higher than normal.
5) Diabetes insipidus- Condition in which kidney removes too much fluid from body.
Causes of diabetes:
In the normal body function, the pancreas secretes insulin into the blood,
insulin circulates with the blood and maintains the sugar level in the blood, enabling sugar to enter
or be stored in the cell as energy, and in this way, insulin helps to lower the sugar level in the
bloodstream. Due to bacterial and viral attacks, insulin-producing cells are destroyed in the
pancreas. Cells become resistant to the action of insulin. And sugar level increases and
starts building up in the bloodstream.
Reasons:
1-Attacked and damaged immune cells of the pancreas,
2-Family History. 3- LifeStyle 4- Obesity, 5-Inactivity, 6-Age factors, 7- High blood
pressure, 8-Pregnancy, 9- Polycystic ovary syndrome, 10- Abnormal cholesterol.
Symptoms of diabetes:
:- Frequent urination. In high blood sugar conditions, the kidneys expel the excess blood
sugar, causing them to urinate more frequently
:- Increased thirst
:- Fatigue
:- Slow-healing cuts and wounds
:- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
:- Vision loss
:- Increased hunger
:- Unexplained weight loss
Complications of diabetes:
Diabetes gradually develops long-term complications. Less controlled blood sugar, higher
the risk of life:
1- Rick of cardiovascular problems.
2- Kidney damage (nephropathy)
3- Eye damage retinopathy
4- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
5- Skin conditions
6- Alzheimer & disease.
Prevention:
Prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and Gestational diabetes can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle
and low calories intake, however, type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented.
1-More physical activity.
2-Eat a special diet to reduce obesity.
3-Eat balanced diet.
4-After certain age keep checking your blood sugar level.
5-Take medicine as advised by the doctors.
All the above-mentioned precautions help to get, control over diabetes.
Nutrition that helps in diabetes: Mainly vitamins & minerals help to maintain insulin level
in the bloodstream, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycaemia (low blood
sugar), however chromium is a crucial element to maintain BS, deficiency of chromium leads
to HBS.
Eat carbs with more fiber. Intake less calorie food in diet, calcium, magnesium
macrominerals helps to regulate BS.
Increased glucose level in blood is a higher risk and life-threatening. It is a condition where
precaution and calorie control diet are must to be followed. Also need to follow disciplined
life style or physical activity to overcome and control this situation.
Please consult your physician or diabetologist for necessary precautions and medication.
