Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of human body. The pancreas of a person suffering with diabetes is not able to secret the insulin hormone properly. The insulin hormone is responsible for converting sugar, starch and other food into energy.
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is mainly of two types – type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
- Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is insulin dependent diabetes. The defense system of the body of diabetic starts killing insulin producing cells. The diabetic person needs frequent insulin injections.
- Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. The sugar levels are controlled by regular exercise and balanced diet. Insulin injections are rarely necessary. Type 2 diabetes needs early identification and control or it can develop into serious complications.
Other type of diabetes are also there which are less common or temporary.
How is a Diabetes Test Done?
During diabetes, the body stops producing energy from sugar, it goes for other options like fats and proteins. Excess consumption of fats and proteins in the human body can lead to weight loss in a diabetic. Diabetes in a person is known by measuring sugar level in blood. If the sugar level is higher than normal, the person is considered as diabetic.
Normally, the sugar level in blood varies with the food intake throughout the day. Thus, it becomes necessary to conduct multiple tests to detect diabetes. While the stomach is empty, normal blood sugar range is between 80 to 120 mg/dl.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
General identifiable symptoms in a diabetic person are:
- getting tired easily: Because fat and proteins are consumed and not the sugar, the body cannot make up for the required energy thus resulting into fatigue in a person suffering with diabetes.
- increased urination: A person suffering from diabetes feels need to urinate more frequently than a normal person. The reason is the excess glucose in the body which is not consumed due to diabetes.
- weight change: Some diabetics can lose weight because of the consumption of fat and body to produce energy while others can gain weight because they eat more to compensate energy loses.
- sensory and behavioral change: Due to insufficient supply of energy to brain, the senses of a diabetic person may not work properly and the diabetic person may feel dizzy, uneasy and irritated.
- infections and wounds that don’t heal: In diabetes, high blood sugar does not allow body to make white blood cells which are responsible for immunity. So, a diabetic may fall prey to infections.
Diabetes is mainly caused by the following factors.
- heredity: Heredity is one of the causes of diabetes. If a father or mother has diabetes, then there is an increased chance that the children will also have diabetes.
- mental stress: Emotional or mental stress is also believed to be a prominent cause of diabetes.
- poor diet: Diabetes can happen when a diet is not balanced. Excess weight can lead to obesity which can cause diabetes. Malnourishment can also lead to diabetes.
- age: Increasing age can cause lack of production of insulin hormone in a person which can cause diabetes. This is the reason of 80 percent cases having diabetes are over 50 years of age.
Unfortunately, diabetes cannot be cured but it can be controlled to a great extent. It is important to prevent diabetes by proper exercise, balanced diet, no consumption of alcohol, no smoking and mental peace.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, diabetes in a person can be controlled by having proper exercise, balanced diet and mental peace along with medications. It is important to follow doctor’s advice at any cost to prevent diabetes from worsening. Some of the ways to control diabetes are given below:
- keeping check of blood sugar level: Diabetes is caused by low insulin level and high sugar level in blood. Keeping a record of both can help in controlling diabetes.
- eating a healthy diet: Some foods help in stabilizing blood sugar levels like fenugreek, onion and garlic. Vegetables should be abundant, proteins in adequate amount, and carbohydrates and sugar should be low. Other than this alcohol, smoking, caffeine, sweeteners and refined grains should be avoided.
- regular exercise and cleanliness: Diabetes affects the immunity of the body most. To prevent body from falling prey to infection, regular exercise and proper care of body is must. Diabetic shoes should be used to prevent feet from peripheral neuropathy. Body, feet and teeth must be cleaned regularly.
- following your doctor's advice: Diabetics need proper care and regular medication. Medication of diabetes also involves insulin shots. These should be administered properly.
- becoming socially active: Many times, people become socially inactive when they suffer from diabetes. This should be avoided. Becoming socially active helps in reducing mental stress. Thus, diabetics should be involved in social activities and occasions. They can be given special gifts made specially for diabetics.
Diabetes is a disease with serious side effects but it is the result of unhealthy lifestyle. If lifestyle can be turned healthy diabetes can be tackled easily and overall health can be improved. What is needed is true belief in oneself. Once lifestyle is changed and all precautions are followed properly diabetes becomes easy to control.
This article is written by Manoj Yadav Manoj Yadav and posted by blogger guest.
