Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic, lifelong condition that affects your body's ability to use the energy found in food. There are 2 major types of Diabetes Mellitus
1. Type 1 Diabetes
2. Type 2 Diabetes
Role of Insulin
Insulin regulates how the body uses and stores glucose and fat. Many of the body’s cells rely on insulin to take glucose from the blood for energy.
Role of Glucose
Sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin. When your glucose levels are low, such as when you haven't eaten in a while, the liver breaks down stored glycogen into glucose to keep your glucose level within a normal range.
Sign & Symptoms
Excessive thirst and increased urination
Fatigue
Weight Loss
Blurred Vision
Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
Tingling hands and feet
Red, swollen, tender gums
Investigations
There are common investigation for Diabetes
Blood Sugar Fasting
Blood Sugar Post Prandial
Blood Sugar Random
HbA1C
Glucose Tolerance Test
Diet and preventing type 2 diabetes
Diet is the most important part of lifestyle change. The adage that you can’t outrun a bad diet is true.
It is much easier to lose weight on a good diet even if youare struggling to do exercise, than it is through exercise if you’re eating apoor diet.
Effective diets to prevent type 2 diabetes are those that donot cause your body to produce a lot of insulin. Carbohydrate has the biggestdemand on insulin and so any diet that helps reduce carbohydrate intake willhelp towards reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Cutting out sugary food and drink and refined grains such aswhite bread and white rice is a good first step.
Modern research has shown that low-fat diets are not ashealthy as they were once believed to be. It is more important to avoidprocessed food rather than trying to avoid fat in foods such as dairy.
Aim to have a balanced diet by basing meals aroundvegetables and include healthy sources of fat such as unsalted tree nuts(walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts), olive oil, avocado, oily fish, meat and full fatdairy.
Exercise to prevent type 2 diabetes
Whilst a good diet is the foundation of good health,exercise is the next important step.
Exercise can help to prevent diabetes in a number ofways.
During exercise, our muscles use any excess sugar inthe blood and the sugar, known as glycogen, that is stored in the muscles andliver.
After exercise is completed, the muscles will gradually replenish their sugar stores by taking in sugar from the blood. This helps lower blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity.
Regular exercise, along with a good diet, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and can help reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
Even a little extra activity each day can help. Some basic steps can really help to make a difference if they become a regular habit, such as walking to the shops rather using the car or getting off the bus a stop early.
References:
www.webmd.com
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.diabetes.co.uk
www.niddk.nih.gov
www.mayoclinic.org