The festive season ushers in with many sweets going off the trays. An
uncontrollable urge to consume sweets grows among many during the festive
season. This is despite people who have diabetes. According to World Health Organisation
estimates, Indians are prone to diabetes. More than 77 million people have Type
2 diabetes. And an estimated 25 million are prediabetics. Above it, India is
also referred to as the diabetes capital of the world.
Diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetes, is a non-communicable
metabolic disease in which blood sugar reaches
higher levels.
Causes
Lifestyle disorder is a significant cause of a surge in diabetes.
Unhealthy eating habits, hypertension, lack of physical exercise, etc, all
contribute to a rise in diabetes.
The known types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, and gestational.
Indians love to eat. Whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, oil and
spices enrich the food. Junk foods and sugary drinks all add to the woes.
Grappling with a sedentary workload, a hectic life, etc, leads to an
uptick in diabetes.
A study conducted by Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands,
found that late sleepers are 46 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Many people have the habit of remaining awake until late at night, which can
damage their metabolism and lead to a higher body mass index and larger
waistline. It can also affect the liver and viscera.
Females with Polycystic ovarian syndrome also increase the risk of
diabetes. Even air pollution has a more significant role to play in diabetes.
Diseases and symptoms
Uncontrollable sugar levels in the blood lead to various diseases.
Insulin resistance is a significant factor in patients suffering from
the disease. The insulin hormone manages the sugar level in the body and
produces energy. Diabetic patients are unable to produce insulin on their own.
Severe cases of diabetes lead to gangrene. This leads to amputation of
the area affected.
The disease also affects the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy, which is caused
by diabetes, is an eye disease.
Diabetes also leads to damage of the nerve, pancreatitis, kidney, heart
disease, etc.
Preventing diabetes
Various medicines are available in the market to control diabetes. A
blood test reveals the sugar level. An average fasting blood sugar level
is
Blood sugar(Fasting) level
between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is normal. Between 100 and
125 mg/dL is prediabetic. An indication of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates
diabetes.
Insulin plays a significant role in controlling diabetes. It helps to
manage and prevent diabetes complications.
Lifestyle changes play a major and key role in controlling diabetes.
Brisk walking and activities like sports, swimming, etc., help reverse
diabetes, which is a concept where the main focus remains on weight loss.
Keeping control of food and sweets also helps in diabetes reversal.
The road ahead
There are various inspiring stories on social media platforms about
controlling weight. This, as a result, has helped many to prevent diabetes.
Controlling at an early age will lead to positive health effects in later parts
of life. Uncontrollable diabetes leads to a host of challenges in the long run.
Following a healthy lifestyle will help prediabetics and diabetics to control non-communicable disease.
