Diabetes
India has the largest diabetic population in the world- Over 40 million Each year a further 7 million people develop diabetes. Every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes. -International Diabetic Foundation Take the test on your left to check your risk for diabetes and useful information about diabetes What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a disorder where in human body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is required to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Therefore the sugar levels in the blood are extremely high, which plays a role in destroying the small arteries of the heart, kidneys and eyes, and the body starts breaking down fats and protein to generate energy which leads to accumulation of toxic byproducts.
What Causes Diabetes? There are two types of diabetes which are caused by different factors. Type 1 diabetes is due to complete destruction of the cells that produce insulin in the body. This can be caused by genetic diseases, viral attacks etc. Type 1 is relatively a rare form of diabetes and is usually present from childhood. The more common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes where in the body produces insulin but is either not sufficient or is not able to utilize insulin effectively. The most common causes of type 2 diabetes are hereditary factors, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and physical or emotional stress, where as relatively rarer causes are drug induced diabetes or infections. What are the symptoms and complications of Diabetes? In the initial stages, diabetes presents with the three Ps-Polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria, which means increased appetite, increased thirst and increased urination. These symptoms are combined with increased fatigue and easy irritability due to poor supply of energy to the brain. Poor wound healing is a classic symptom of diabetes and is sometimes the first objective sign of underlying diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes can also cause blurred vision, kidney damage and cardiac vessels damage that can cause heart attacks.
Detecting Diabetes Diabetes can be detected by simple blood tests-one test on an empty stomach and one 2 hours after food. Tests to check the blood sugar levels over the preceding 3 months are also available.
Treating Diabetes There is no cure yet for diabetes, however with the right diet, exercise and medications, diabetes can be optimally controlled to give you a near normal life and protect you against the complications of diabetes. |