Diabetes is one of the most common health problems seen in today’s world. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that causes high blood sugar. With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin already made. If not controlled or taken care of, can cause:

• Damage your heart, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs
• Stroke and heart attack
• Neuropathy
• Nephropathy
• Vision loss retinopathy
• Hearing loss
• Foot damage
• Fungal & bacterial infections of the skin
• Depression

Chronic diabetes conditions include:

• Type 1 diabetes, can originate at any age, though generally appears in childhood or adolescence. It is an autoimmune disease, in which the person’s immune system itself destroys and harms cells present in the pancreas that forms insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes, can develop at any age, though it is more common in adults above the age of 40 years. In this diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin as a result sugar builds in the blood.
• Prediabetes is a condition when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Prediabetes marks as the origin of diabetes, if not treated or controlled can cause diabetes and related health issues.
• Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It may or may not resolve,  post the birth of the baby. Prediabetes and gestational diabetes are reversible and reoccurring.

Early Signs and symptoms of diabetes :

• Frequent urge to urinate 
• Increased thirst & hunger
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow healing of wounds
• Tingling and numbness in hands and feet
• Frequent infections such as gums, skin infection
• Urinary infections and yeast infection in women
• Erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drives in men

Risk Factors for diabetes are :

• Obesity
• Inactivity and sedentary lifestyle
• Family history
• Age 45 years or older
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Smoking and consumption of tobacco products
• Poor eating habits

Treatment of diabetes

• Diabetes is treatable with regular health screening and checkups. 
• Diet modification and maintenance: Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, small & frequent meals, consuming healthy fats, cutting saturated fats and refined carbohydrates from the diet.
• Regular exercise: Aerobic exercises such as walking and cycling are to be done for at least 150 mins.
• Compliance with medications, advised by the doctor.
• In cases where the patient is obese or is struggling to lose weight, bariatric or weight loss surgery is recommended.

If you are facing diabetes or having signs of it, visit your nearest RG Stone Hospital to get expert advice and best care from our team of specialized doctors, nurses, and other para-medical staff.