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Know Your Diabetes

Posted by admin in Prescription Diabetes Drugs, Weight Loss on May 04th, 2009

We all have superficial knowledge about diabetes because it is a common disease seen especially in adults. These adults may be from our family members or neighborhood. But, this doesn’t mean that children’s and youths are free from the danger. So, let’s know about it.

The term diabetes was coined by Aretaeus of Cappadocia. The term diabetes is derived from the Greek word which means one that straddles. Due to the excessive discharge of urine the disease was named as diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that transpires due to the malfunction of our body metabolism. We fuel our body with foods to generate energy. These energies are nothing but glucose that is produced from the natural process of digestion. After digestion these glucose passes into our blood stream with the help of insulin produced by pancreas. Insulin is the hormones secreted by the pancreas which is the transporter of glucose to body cells. But, this is not the actual process with a diabetic.

If you are a diabetic then your pancreas is functioning anomalously and the cells are ignoring the glucose carrying insulin’s. This is a serious case because glucose is our energy source and when they are ignored, the body system throws them away in the form of urine or sweats.

- Pre-diabetes:

Pre-diabetes is the stage where the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be exemplify as diabetes. Pre-diabetes is also known as Impaired Glucose Tolerance which is a diseased health with no symptoms. In most of the cases it appears before a person develops type2 diabetes. But, it is also seen that the rsik of type2 diabetes can be reduced if the body is supplied with proper diet and exercise. The symptoms are rare in pre-diabetes but still frequent desire to urinate, blurred vision or extreme fatigue can be noticed in some cases.

- Types, Danger and Causes:

Diabetes has been studied from ancient period in many different part of the world. But all the studies show that there are three types of diabetes.

Type1 diabetes:

This is unique case where the body system develops the antibodies and other inflammatory cells. These antibodies are destroyed by our immune system including the beta cells in pancreas which is responsible for secretion of insulin. This is how the secretion of insulin stops in a type1 diabetic body system.

Causes:
This is a critical diabetes situation which is though found rarely compared to type2 diabetes but found to be life threatening.Type1 diabetes influence is seen among children and youths with a sudden attack.

The actual cause of type1 diabetes is being studied but the core reason is still not understood.

Symptoms:
The symptoms of type1 diabetes may appear in short span of time. Some common symptoms are increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue.

Remember:
Type1 diabetes is comparatively dangerous because the patient must be treated with insulin treatment everyday. The cost is high and if not treated properly then the patient may undergo a serious diabetic coma which is also known as diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Type2 diabetes:

Type2 diabetes is common diabetes and is especially seen in old age. In type 2 diabetes the pancreas is capable of producing insulin but not in the right amount that body demands. The body cells with an unknown reason do not respond to the insulin. Hence, this produced glucose carrying insulin is wasted. Type2 diabetes is also known as adult on-set diabetes.

Cause:
The cause of type2 diabetes may appear from obesity, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and certain ethnicities.

Symptoms:
The symptoms are similar to the type1 diabetes. But, they don’t occur suddenly as in type1. There is a high probability that the patient may be suffering form type2 diabetes and yet has developed no symptoms. Some common symptoms are: fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds or sores.

Remember:
Type2 diabetes is not that fatal as compared to type1. A patient with proper physical exercise, healthy diet and medication can live an easy life. However, diabetic patients are suggested not to consume sugar included groceries which is dangerous in case of high blood sugar.

Gestational diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is seen only in women at her pregnancy period. Not all of them but some develops this disease in this period. This is temporary diabetes and will soon resolve as the baby is born. But, the risk factor remains that the women may suffer from type2 diabetes soon within 5 to 10 years.

Cause:
The cause of gestational is due to the significant hormonal change during the pregnancy period or shortage of insulin.

Symptoms:
Gestational diabetes may occur without any symptoms but the women may experience hunger, thirst, frequent urination and excessive weight gain. She may also produce vaginal infections.

Remember:
The risk of suffering from type2 diabetes can be reduced by maintaining good health, taking balanced diets and fighting obesity.

- Who are likely to suffer?

” Age:

Though there is no accurate age determined but the probability remains with the adults. People who are above 40 are likely to suffer from diabetes. But, this assumption is more defined if diabetes is seen in his father and grandfathers which means the genetic.

Obesity:

Obesity is the probability for diabetes no matter if the person belongs to a particular ethnic group or not. Obese is the source of different diseases. So if you are obese then you should be careful with your health and diet. Physical drills are also useful.

Physical workout:

Physical work is very important for a healthy life. Exercise, yoga, jogging, swimming etc are important to keep our body fit and fine. Diabetes is likely to attack if the person is physically weak and performs no physical gym.

Diabetes is genetic:
Diabetes is hereditary disease. So, it can assail anyone with diabetic background or history. Though this is not always the 100% but throughout the studies in most of the cases it is seen that people automatically suffer from diabetes if he/she has it from his genes.

High blood pressure:
High blood pressure is the other important factor that makes the probability high for diabetes in people. If he/she has a high blood pressure then chances for diabetes remains.

- Preventions And Treatments:

Preventions:

Prevention is better then cures. Diabetes is not a communicable disease rather genetic in most of the case.
Here are the tips for preventing yourself from diabetes:

- Lose extra weight:
Lose extra weight because obese is the doorway to disease. Losing your weight will gradually carry improvement in your health and builds immune.

- Fiber food:
Fiber foods are really good for health. They help in blood circulation in our body. They also manage the level of glucose in our body. Fiber food is very good for heart patient too.

- Physical exercise:
This is important not only for diabetic but for everyone. Physical exercise helps to burn our fats which are harmful when they exceed their need in the body. Physical exercise also maintains excellent blood circulation.

- Quit smoking:
Smoking is harmful but still we smoke. But, smoking not only cause cancers but it also develops type2 diabetes. Some research has shown that smoking helps to grow unnecessary fats in our body that leads to obesity. So it’s better to quit now?

- Drink water:
If you can drink at least 5 liters of water per day it’s excellent. This is an excellent idea to keep you safe from all types of diseases including diabetes.

Treatments:

Treatments for all kinds of diabetes are almost same because diabetes are well controlled only with the help of carefully planned diets, good physical exercise, maintaining body weight and monitoring glucose levels. It is very necessary to a diabetic to maintain his blood sugar level between 60mg/dl to 120mg/dL. Some of the treatments are below.

Proper diets:
Diets are very important to a diabetic because his blood sugar depends on his diets. The preventions listed above are similar for treating your diabetes. But, still keep these things noted.

- Eat snacks before bedtime which contains protein and carbohydrate. But, don’t eat carbohydrates 2 hours before bedtime.

- Evade saturated fats such as fatty meats, butter, bacon, cream and whole milk cheeses.

- Eat fiber-rich foods such as whole grain cereals and breads, fruits and vegetables. And if possible live a vegetarian life.

- Eat complex carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, grains, cereals, crackers, bread, potatoes, dried beans and peas.

- Balance your fat, carbohydrates and protein in a roughly 30/40/30 ratio.

- Eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day.

- Prefer high-protein breakfast.

- White flour, enriched flour, bleached flour should be avoided.

- Drinking lots of water is good for every kind of disease.

- But, all these above mentioned diets should be taken in a limited and effective manners because too much of these foods like potatoes, rice may cause high blood sugar problem.

Exercise:

- Little change on your daily routine:
Put some physical exercise in your daily routine because exercise is only the way how you can control your blood sugar level and live a healthy life.

- Professionals instructions:
It is very important to have someone to guide you with your health. So, always take advices from your doctors and professionals. They suggest you with a particular exercise for particular part of your body which sometimes really becomes helpful.

-Engaging yourself:
Take a regular walk and engage yourself in different activities like: swimming, aerobic, yoga, jogging etc. This will definitely help you to overcome your hectic routine with a good health.

- Monitor your sugar level:
Increase your exercise a bit and give more time to your body. Keep on monitoring your blood sugar level. As the blood sugar level is normal if it lies between 60mg/dl to 120mg/dl. This can be done with the help of your doctor or glucose meter are available in the market which are easy and effective.

-Obesity:
If you are obese then you should really work hard on your exercise. Obesity is the major cause for diabetes. It is not necessary that the disease should be genetic because diabetes is more likely to occur in obese people.

- Stairs are good for you:
Always prefer stairs instead of the elevator. This is a good exercise for you to burn your fats. This will also supports you with strong bone and muscles with a healthy and Hercules life.

- How diabetes and pre-diabetes are are diagnosed?
There are three major ways of diagnosing all types of diabetes.

Fasting plasma glucose test:

Fasting plasma glucose test is the easy and convenient process of calculating the blood glucose level in our blood after we have attended the fasting for minimum 8 hours. This test is found reliable when it is done in the morning. This test determines whether we are diabetic or pre-diabetic.

Diagnosis ———————-Plasma Glucose Results (mg/dL)

Normal ————————99 and below

Pre-Diabetes ——————100 to 125

Diabetes ———————- 126 and above

The above shown chart shows the blood sugar level in different stages. The diabetes is only confirmed by repeating the test in different days.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test:

Oral glucose tolerance test is marked as gold standard for type2 diabetes. It is now seen commonly used in Gestational diabetes test. Under this test, the person requires to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Then first, the fasting plasma glucose is tested. After these 75 grams of glucose is taken by the person.

Plasma Glucose Result (mg/dL)——Hours before Glucose is taken—— Diagnosis

139 and below ———————-2hrs———————————Normal

140 to 199 ————————–2hrs ——————————–Pre-diabetes

200 and above ———————-2hrs ——————————–Diabetes

The above shown chart shows the blood sugar level in different stages. Toady oral glucose tolerance test is found more popular in Gestational diabetes then in type2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is also based on plasma glucose values measured during the oral glucose tolerance test. Blood glucose levels are checked four times during the test. If our blood glucose levels are above normal at least twice during the test, we have gestational diabetes. The given chart may vary in different labs.

When ——- Plasma Glucose Result (mg/dL)

Fasting —— 95 and above

At 1 hr —— 180 and higher

At 2hrs——-155 and higher

At 3hrs—— 140 or higher

Random Test:

Random blood sugar test determines our blood sugar 200mg/dL. It is non-scientific way because no proper medical test is done here. The medical test is carried at any time.

Following are some symptoms regarding your diabetes.

- Frequent urination.

- Frequent thirst.

- Weight loss

- Sores and wounds that take long time to heal naturally.

- Fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger.

These symptoms are enough to make you aware that you might be suffering from diabetes. So, it’s better if you consult your doctor.