A chronic disease that is related to increase in blood sugar levels is none other than diabetes. Basically it is a universal health issue that affects millions of people all over the globe. Due to the increased sugar level in the blood it can lead to some other serious health issues if it is not treated in time. This detailed article is all about. Here we will deeply discuss what diabetes actually is, what are its symptoms and treatment options. We will also discuss preventive measures in this case of chronic disease.
Understanding Diabetes
This part of the article is really very crucial for you to understand what actually diabetes comes into existence. When the body fails to regulate blood sugar levels effectively the health condition arises which is known as diabetes. The blood sugar in our body is called glucose in Medical terms. Now understand that glucose which is actually a blood sugar is really very important in order to provide energy to the cell of the body and insulin. Here your question must be what actually insulin is? Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose or blood sugar to enter into the cells. Pancreas actually produces this hormone insulin.
In case of diabetes the issue arises when your body fails to produce enough insulin or it can produce insulin but cannot use it normally and effectively. When this happens, the glucose level or sugar level in the blood increases, resulting in some other health problems.
Types Of Diabetes
Due to different characteristics and issues diabetes is classified into three types.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune health condition which is very dangerous in nature and can result in various other health issues. Why do we call it an autoimmune condition? In this type of diabetes which we call type 1 diabetes the immune system of the body starts to attack and destroys those cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. This happens due to some abnormality in the immune system. In most of the cases this condition means type 1 diabetes mostly occurs in childhood but it can also rise at any stage of the age.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is actually a reverse of Type 1 Diabetes. In type 1 diabetes our body fails to produce insulin while in type 2 diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin. When this situation arises the glucose level or blood sugar level becomes imbalanced. In most of the cases type 2 diabetes mainly attacks adults especially when the age passes over 40. In some cases it can also develop at a young age. The chances of type 2 diabetes increases when you have a lazy lifestyle. Besides that, being overweight is also one of the reasons for type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Although gestational diabetes is not as dangerous as the previous two types, this disease can increase the chance of type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes mainly comes into existence during pregnancy and in most of the cases it is eliminated automatically after the childbirth. One of the main causes in case of Gestational diabetes is the changes in hormones during pregnancy. It is because during pregnancy, pregnancy hormones become the hindrance in the way of insulin to perform actively and efficiently.
Symptoms Of Diabetes
In order to go for a comprehensive diagnosis and affected treatment it is important to experience symptoms at its early stage. Some common symptoms in case of diabetes are as follows.
Repeated Urination
An affected person feels repeated urination in case of diabetes. Why this actually happens is a million dollar question at the moment. The addition of excessive amounts of glucose in the blood forces kidneys to work very fast in order to filter and absorb. This eventually leads to increased urination.
Excessive Thirst
Due to repeated urination it can lead to hydration. That’s why a person feels a severe type of thirst.
Extreme Hunger
In case of diabetes the one of the common symptoms is the feeling of Hungry despite the fact that you eat. This situation arises because due to the abnormality of the body, it cannot use glucose to convert into energy. Consequently it leads to increased hunger.
Weight Loss
When the body fails to convert glucose into energy then the body starts to use muscles and fats as an alternative for gaining energy. In this way, a person starts to lose weight.
Fatigue
Due to lack of energy a person feels symptoms of laziness and tiredness.
Blurred Vision
When the glucose starts to increase in the blood excessively it can lead to blurred vision. It is because due to high blood sugar levels the lens of the eye starts to swell.
Slow Healing Sores
There are also chances of the slow healings of sores in case of diabetes. The excessive increase in blood sugar levels disturbs the flow of the blood. The immune system also affects which makes it even harder for the body to heal.
If you observe any symptoms as we have mentioned above then you have to go to your nearest Healthcare Centre for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Diabetes
For a speedy and effective treatment option it is really important to diagnose diabetes in an efficient way. Here in the following we are going to talk about some of the diagnosing tests that can be useful in order to treat this chronic disease. Let’s have a look.
Fasting Blood Glucose Test
Fasting Blood Glucose Test is performed in order to measure the sugar level in the blood. This test is taken after fasting for at least 7 to 8 hours. If it indicates 126 mg/dl or higher then it indicates the possible diabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
This test is taken before and after consuming sugary drinks in order to check blood sugar level. If the reading indicates 200 mg/dl or higher then it means the indication of possible diabetes.
A1C Test
The A1C test is beneficial in order to provide you with an average blood sugar level even over the past 2 to 3 years. If reading shows 6.5% or higher then it means there are chances of diabetes.
Remember early diagnosis is key to success in case of effective treatment.
Treatment Options For Diabetes
Similar to other chronic diseases there is no cure for diabetes yet. You can manage this condition in different ways by changing your lifestyle, use of medication and proper monitoring on a regular basis. Let’s discuss in detail.
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy Diet
Make sure that you are eating a diet which is not only a balanced one but rich in fruits and vegetables. Lean proteins and whole grains are also helpful to control blood sugar level. Try to remove or stop eating processed foods such as high fat foods and sugary drinks.
Regular Exercise
Try to involve yourself in physical activities like exercise. It is because physical activities are not only helpful in controlling blood sugar level but also enhance insulin performance. Make a habit to take 150 minutes of light exercise and 75 minutes of energetic animated activities each week.
Weight Management
Weight management is very important because being overweight is one of the reasons for diabetes. Just consult with your doctor and get professional advice in order to reduce or maintain your healthy weight. It is important in improving blood sugar levels.
Medications
You can go to medications for treating diabetes because in most of the people only with the change of lifestyle you cannot control blood sugar level. There are various types of medications available to control diabetes. Some of the common ones are as follows: insulin therapy, oral medications and non insulin injectable. Only a professional Healthcare provider can actually prescribe for you to get one of these medical treatments.
Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels
Try to monitor your blood sugar level on a regular basis. You can monitor your blood sugar level yourself very easily. And in this scenario you can use a blood glucose meter to check Glucose level in the blood several times in a day. When you monitor regularly and repeatedly this will help you to provide enough data for effective treatment.
Managing Complications
As we said earlier, if diabetes is not treated at an early stage, it can lead to some serious other medical disorders. So it is very important to manage possible complications in time. There are some issues that can arise in case of diabetes such as heart issues, kidney damage, and nerve damage. Besides that, you can also face eye- related problems as well. So due to these possible complicated issues it is really very important to monitor diabetes and its symptoms regularly.
Prevention Of Diabetes
You all know very well that prevention is better than cure. Same is the case with diabetes. As we said earlier, there is no cure in the case of diabetes. So try to implement preventive measures. Some of the important ones are as follows.
Healthy Diet
Always focus on your diet in your daily routine. In the case of diabetes it is really crucial to go on a nutritious diet. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats are helpful to maintain your blood sugar level in a healthy stage.
Regular Physical Activity
Make sure that you are adopting yourself in physical activities. There are some normal routine activities that you can do like cycling, walking and swimming. These physical activities are extremely beneficial for your weight management.
Regular Health Checkups
Make sure to visit your professional doctor for regular checkups in order to keep a close eye on your blood sugar level. If you also have some risk factors like overweight, diabetes, family history or high blood pressure then indicate to go to your doctor urgently for proper screening.
Stop Or Reduce Taking Sugary Beverages And Processed Foods
As we have already mentioned in this article, processed foods and sugary beverages increase the chances of diabetes. So it is better to stop taking these foods in order to go towards betterment.
Managing Stress
Stress is like an enemy for your health. Severe types of stress have a direct impact on the blood sugar level. Make sure that you go for those activities which actually help to reduce stress like yoga, deep breathing exercises or meditation.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a serious chronic health disease which is related to increase in glucose level in the blood. Although it is a fact that it is a complicated disease because it can be the result of various other diseases, you can manage it effectively. All you need to do is to be proactive. It is very important to understand what diabetes actually is and what its symptoms are. Besides that, prevention is better than cure in this case also. It is a fact that there is no cure for diabetes but with the help of some useful strategies you can reduce symptoms of Diabetes to a greater extent. Just follow the instructions provided to you in this complete article and live a healthy life as many people around the world. If you find any symptoms as we have mentioned above then must consult with your physician urgently.