Diabetes Management

Diabetes Management

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough Insulin, or because cells do not respond to the Insulin that is produced.

Causes of Diabetes:

Hereditary and Genetic Factors, Stress, Obesity, Sedentary Life style, Insulin Deficiency and Insulin Resistance

Symptoms:

Increased Thirst, Frequent Urination, Extreme Hunger, Unexplained weight Loss, Fatique, Blurred Vision, Slow healing of Injuries, frequent Infection of Gum, Skin, Vagina or Bladder 70% of people do not have symptoms at the time of Diagnosis.

Types Of Diabetes:

• Type I Diabetes: This type usually occurs in young age of below 30 years . In this type the Pancreas produces very little or No Insulin at all. So Type 1patients has to be given Insulin for life long.
• Type II Diabetes: This type usually occurs in Adults. In this type the pancreas produce Insulin but it is not properly utilized by our Body, resulting in high blood sugar. Mostly 95% of Patients have Type II Diabetes.
• Gestational Diabetes: This type usually occurs in woman during pregnancy and disappears after Delivery. These Individuals are at high risk of developing Type II Diabetes at later stage.

Treatment for Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease which cannot be cured but can be kept under control with Diet, Exercise, Life style modifications, and use of appropriate medications ( Insulin in the case of type I diabetes, Oral medications as well as possibly insulin in Type II Diabetes)

Dietary Tips:

Have a well – balanced Diet with a variety of food in each meal. You have Diabetes doesn’t mean you need to deprive yourself of foods you are fond of .Enjoying healthy eating and opting for smart food choices can lower your risks of diabetes-related complications.

Choose high- fibre foods such as Whole fruits, Vegetables, Legumes, whole –wheat products, oats/oatmeal, rye and barley. Fibre, mainly the soluble fibres, lowers your cholesterol levels and has a protective effect against heart disease.

Limit daily intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol .Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and these bad types of fat raise your LDL and Cholesterol Levels, Leading to undesirable effect on your overall health, especially in increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Use healthy cooking techniques such as grilling, baking or broiling fish, meat and skinless poultry to minimize the fat content of the meal.

Exercise Recommendations in Diabetes

Exercise can help a great deal in preventing and Controlling insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetes related Complications. It helps control weight and reduces A1c.

Types of Exercises:

Here are three types of exercises which are important for the health and fitness of a person with Diabetes.

• Aerobic Exercises These kinds of Exercises involve large muscle groups for the entire time period and causes heart rate to remain elevated for a longer period.
  Walking, jogging, swimming and cycling are such exercises.
  Do moderate aerobic exercises – 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
• Strength Exercises Any activity that makes your body muscles to work against an opposing force. It can be done against your own body weight or by using external weights such as dumbbells, cuff weights, elastic bands and weight training machines.
  It is recommended to do strength exercises two or three days a week.
• Flexibility Exercises These are stretching exercises that prevent the body from injury and help to avoid stiff and sore muscles.
  People with Diabetes can do stretching exercises three to five days per week or at the end of each exercises session. Examples of Stretching are static stretching or Yoga.

Benefits of Exercise

• Weight control.
• Blood sugar control.
• Reduces LDL cholesterol (Bad cholesterol), increases HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).
• Increases efficiency of Heart and Lungs.
• Prevents arterial blockage.
• Increases efficiency of insulin, thus reducing the dose of medicines.
• Imparts a feeling of healthy mind and body.
• Relief in constipation.
• Reduces mental stress and ensures sound sleep.
• Helps in prevention of diabetes.