Diabetes

With modernization in every field don’t you think that our life style is becoming passive? This is giving rise to many health issues and one of them is Diabetes. 

So let’s see what the diabetes is.

It’s a kind of disease in which the blood glucose level becomes high due to low insulin level. You know that whatever carbs we eat on daily basis, they are in their complex forms then our body simplifies them by the process of digestion and turn them to simple sugar i.e. glucose. Normally, the glucose is absorbed by our body cells and oxidised in order to provide us with the energy but if a person is suffering from diabetes then the glucose isn’t taken up by the cells and remain in the blood stream which brings many complications in the human body as it can damage our vital organs.

Types of diabetes 

There are mainly two common types

Type I diabetes (Insulin dependent diabetes)

Well pancreas is both an exocrine and endocrine gland. Islets of Langerhans that are found in pancreas serve as endocrine part and release two key hormones, glucagon and Insulin in order to control blood sugar level. When these cells are damaged, the pancreas is unable to produce enough Insulin in order to make the blood glucose absorbed in body cells hence this contributes to increased blood glucose level which is excreted in urine. It’s a kind of autoimmune disease in which these cells are attacked and destroyed by our immune system 

Type II diabetes (Insulin resistant diabetes)

This type is the most common one in which body is unable to produce enough insulin or it is resisted by the body cells.  

Causes

• Autoimmune disease (Type I)
• Family history 
• Body cells' resistance (Type II)
• Passive lifestyle 
• Consuming more beverages specially energy drinks and fizzy drinks
• Fast food consumption 
• High blood pressure 
• Some medications
• Stress

Symptoms

There are some common symptoms that are experienced by diabetic patients like

• Frequent urination 
• Dry mouth 
• Increased thirst
• Slow healing process 
• Feeling tired most of the time
• Weight issues
• Sleep problems 
• Infections

Risk to vital organs

There are many vital organs that are affected due to this disease. 

• It can damage kidneys and causes nephropathy.
• It can also damage our nerves and causes neuropathy.
• Eyes can be affected by the elevated glucose level and retinopathy is caused due to it which can lead to cataract formation and cause blindness ultimately.

So how is diabetes diagnosed?

The physicians commonly recommend two tests;

• Random plasma glucose level- It must be less than 140 mg/dL
• Fasting plasma glucose level- It must be less than 100 mg/dL
• Beside this sometimes urine test is also recommended in type I diabetes in order to detect ketone (a substance that is produced as a result of fat metabolism)

Here is a chart of blood glucose level in different conditions.

Which diet is healthy for diabetic patients?

Well such patients must avoid processed and refined food items. They should add organic food in their meal plan. Vegetables, citrus fruits , whole grains, seafood, low carbs, lean proteins are healthy to be consumed by such patients.

Treatment

Insulin is given 

Beside this there are so many medicines available to control sugar level in Type II Diabetes and they include different classes like

• Biguanides
• Sulfonylurea
• Alpha glucosidase inhibitors 
• Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors 

How to manage it?

In order to keep yourself healthy adopt active lifestyle, eat healthy meal and don’t forget to feel happy inside, stay motivated.

Take care!