When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars to build up in your blood. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.Diabetesis becoming increasingly more common throughout the world, due to increased obesity (also known as metabolic syndrome or pre-diabetes) leading to higher incidences altogether.
Global Diabetes - The scale of the problem
Diabetes is finally being recognized as a global epidemic, with the potential to cause a worldwide healthcare crisis. Where is the diabetes at its worst? Which countries are most seriously affected by diabetes and how is this going to change?
Diabetes is finally being recognized as a global epidemic, with the potential to cause a worldwide healthcare crisis. Where is the diabetes at its worst? Which countries are most seriously affected by diabetes and how is this going to change?
It is estimated that currently diabetes affects some 200 million people worldwide. According to estimates by the International Diabetes Federation, this figure is set to increase to 333 million by the year 2025.
This is over and above the estimates set out in a 1997 WHO (World Health Organization) report. At this time, they forecast that 2000 would see 153.9 million diabetics worldwide, and 2025 would see 299.1 million diabetics worldwide. The disease is growing faster than predicted.
The difficult drawbacks of ‘Diabetes’ is acute in itself with severe complications in which under excessive diabetic influence for a longer period an individual could go under ‘Coma’ situation and sudden death could be triggered thereupon, therefore diabetes and it’s repercussions shouldn’t be taken lightly as in many cases without the help of recognized expertise of team of doctors one is unable to control the `Sugar` as the prime cause of diabetes and keeps avoiding it as it may feel convenient. The types/signs or symptoms/Prevention/treatments are some of the key areas to be focused thereupon and not to be taken lightly in any circumstance.
Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease (doubled risk), chronic renal failure, retinal damage (which can lead to blindness), nerve damage (of several kinds), and micro vascular damage, which may cause impotence and poor healing. Poor healing of wounds, particularly of the feet, can lead to gangrene, which may require amputation.
`Types of `Diabetes`:
`Pre-Diabetes` : `Pre-diabetes` means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin or your pancreas is not producing as much insulin as required. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called `diabetes`. This is also known as "impaired fasting glucose" or "impaired glucose tolerance". A diagnosis of pre-diabetes is a warning sign that diabetes will develop later. The good news: You can prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, making changes in your diet and exercising.
`Type 1` : A person with Type 1 diabetes can't make any insulin. Type 1 most often occurs before age 30, but may strike at any age. Type 1 can be caused by a genetic disorder. The origins of Type 1 are not fully understood, and there are several theories. But all of the possible causes still have the same end result: The pancreas produces very little or no insulin anymore. `Frequent insulin injections` are needed for Type 1. It’s also termed as autoimmune disease of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists believe that it may be a virus that triggers the immune system to attack the cells and permanently destroy them. The pancreas can no longer make the insulin necessary to transport sugar from the blood into the other cells of the body for energy. Sugar builds up in the blood and over time can damage internal organs and blood vessels.
Insulin and Blood Sugar:
Q: `What does it mean if an individual is diagnosed with excessive diabetes`?
Ans: `One` who has Type 1 diabetes must take insulin everyday to survive. It becomes a delicate balance of finding the right amount of insulin necessary to keep the blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. The person with diabetes has to check their blood sugar levels often and then inject themselves with the correct amount of insulin to counteract the amount of sugar. This mimics the action of the pancreas.
Warning Signs for Type 1:
Increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, weight loss and blurred vision are a few of the most noticeable signs of Type 1 diabetes.
When and What to Eat:
`Eating meals` that are approximately the same size and combination of carbohydrates and fats at the same time everyday helps to keep blood sugar regular and predictable. The best diet is one that is low in fat, low in salt and low in added sugars. Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are preferable over simple carbohydrates like sugary soft drinks and candy.
`Type 2` : Although type 2 diabetes is not always caused by obesity, being overweight is a risk factor for developing the disease.
Risk factors for type 2 `Diabetes`:
• Obesity - (Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater).
• Poor diet - (Failure to eat fruits and vegetables daily).
• Sedentary lifestyle -
• Increased age - 21% of people over 60 have diabetes
• Family history - Diabetes tends to run in families
• Ethnicity -
• History of metabolic syndrome -
• History of gestational diabetes. -
• Poor diet - (Failure to eat fruits and vegetables daily).
• Sedentary lifestyle -
• Increased age - 21% of people over 60 have diabetes
• Family history - Diabetes tends to run in families
• Ethnicity -
• History of metabolic syndrome -
• History of gestational diabetes. -
`High Blood Pressure` Normal blood pressure is below 120/80, according to the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute. A blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 can be considered pre-hypertension and a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher puts you in the high blood pressure or hypertension range. Lowering your intake of salt, losing weight, and taking blood pressure medication can all help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range? A blood glucose level between 70 mg/dl and 100 mg/dl is considered normal. Fasting blood glucose between 100 and 110 mg/dl is a sign of metabolic syndrome. An elevated fasting blood glucose that is not high enough to be considered diabetes (126mg/dl) is also described as "pre-diabetes." High blood pressure (hypertension) adds to the workload of the heart, arteries and kidneys. High blood pressure can cause severe complications!
"Cholesterol" : A soft, waxy substance found in animal tissues and various foods. It is made by the liver and is important for cell membranes. Too much cholesterol from a fatty diet causes the liver to make more. That can put you at serious risk for many diseases and conditions, such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and even Type II diabetes.
`Gestational Diabetes` : Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects about 4% of all pregnant women. It usually appears midway through the second trimester and disappears after the birth of the baby. It is not permanent.
How do you know if you are at risk for developing gestational diabetes?
• Obesity - with a BMI of 30 or over
• Family history of Type 2 diabetes
• If you are an older mom - age 35 or over
• If you previously delivered larger babies (between 8 lbs. 5 oz and 9 lbs. 14 oz.)
• If you have high blood pressure.
• Family history of Type 2 diabetes
• If you are an older mom - age 35 or over
• If you previously delivered larger babies (between 8 lbs. 5 oz and 9 lbs. 14 oz.)
• If you have high blood pressure.
(Note: `Good` Prenatal care is important for all pregnant mothers, but especially important for women who carry the risk factors for gestational diabetes).
Diabetes during pregnancy needs to be properly controlled to ensure the well being of both mom and baby.
Usually, under your healthcare provider's guidance, a healthy, balanced diet, and more exercise can go a long way towards controlling gestational diabetes. Occasionally insulin will also be used to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Good control will ensure a happy healthy outcome for all.