Article 1 - Health - Diabetes – the silent demon, mange it to lead a healthy life

Diabetes is technically known as Diabetes Mellitus. It is one of the diseases that is permanent and you cannot cure it, all you can do is befriend it.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, caused due to environmental reasons and is inherited through genes. The major symptoms are frequent need to pass urine leading to high amounts of thirst and an increase in fluid intakes. Other symptoms could also be unusual loss of weight, blurred vision, feeling of lethargy.

Insulin produced by the beta cells present in the pancreas act as catalysts that help the body cells to absorb the sugar / glucose, which in turn is energy for the body cells to function effectively. When the body lacks insulin or produces less insulin as against the requirement of the body, there is less absorption of the glucose from the blood by the cells, leading to excessive sugar levels in the blood. This is also known as hyperglycemia

The best way to check if you have diabetes is to go in for a simple blood test at your local pathology laboratory, the fasting blood sugar under normal conditions should be ranging between 70 – 110 mg/dl, the same test needs to be repeated 2 hours after the meal known as Postprandial (Post Meal) the blood sugar levels should be < 140 mg/dl, then you do not suffer from diabetes. Incase the results are higher then you need to consult an endocrinologist to help you in taking care of your disease.

Diabetes is also known as a silent killer it works quietly harming your systems if it is not managed properly. You cannot cure diabetes as mentioned earlier but you can only manage it. Manage by controlling what you eat, how much exercise you do and support your body to absorb more glucose form the blood by providing external insulin. Insulin can be administered using injection, pen or pumps.

Insulin was introduced in 1921 and since then it has been a wonder drug that supports human to manage diabetes effectively.

There are two types of diabetes mainly classified as Type 1 & Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes is diabetes acquired during childhood also known as childhood–onset diabetes, juvenile diabetes and these cases are generally insulin dependent. Type 2 diabetes is diabetes acquired in an adult age also known as adult-onset diabetes; it can also be obesity induced diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is generally known to be non insulin dependent diabetes.

The best way to manage diabetes along with the medication is by being cautious about what you eat, measure the right amount of calories that you consume, exercise regularly to manage your weight.

With diabetes you are prone to lot of other complications which can impact your nervous system, renal system, ophthalmic system, digestive system at times it could also impact your fertility. Also a very critical aspect of uncontrolled diabetes is that it delays the healing of wounds, which could lead to further increase in infection and problems leading to amputation of arms & legs. Diabetics are generally advised to take extreme care when walking on open grounds or spaces to ensure that they do not hurt their feet, as that’s the area that gets affected immediately.

Diabetes is not something that will kill you but if you befriend it and manage it well, you can still lead a normal and a healthy lifestyle. Just be cautious and careful in what you eat and exercise regularly.