Definition
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body loses its ability to properly oxidize carbohydrates. It is caused by a deficiency in the production of insulin by the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans within the pancreas.
The body gets its supply of energy from glucose, a product of carbohydrate metabolism. Normally, glucose is stored in the liver, in the form of glycogen, and released into the bloodstream when the level of glucose in the circulating blood decreases. In this blog, you will get a brief introduction to diabetes, causes, symptoms, and prevention.
Major types of diabetes
There are the following major types of diabetes:
T1D:
Type one insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by onset in youth (age 20 or younger), although it may occur at any age. Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus has previously been referred to as “juvenile diabetes.”
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by low serum insulin levels. Treatment consists of parenteral administration of insulin along with diet therapy.
T2D:
Type two non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) is characterized by onset after the age of 40, although it may occur in younger persons as well. Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus is also known as “adult-onset diabetes mellitus” (AODM).
Insulin production does not stop, but insulin levels may be low, normal, or elevated. Sixty to 90 percent of Type II diabetics are overweight or obese. Treatment consists of diet therapy, weight control measures, and the use of oral hypoglycemic medications if necessary.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are greater than “normal.” If not managed, pre-diabetes can quickly evolve to T2D. Pre-diabetes isn’t usually a precursor to T2D, however, if the right steps are followed. Simple lifestyle modifications can go a long way toward minimizing the risk of developing T2D.
Gestational
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a kind of diabetes in which a woman’s blood sugar levels rise dramatically during pregnancy. Both the mother and the kid may experience problems as a result of this. It must be monitored throughout the pregnancy, and all pregnant women are tested to see if they have it. The child has an increased risk of acquiring T2D later in life as a result of gestational diabetes.
What are causes of diabetes?
The genetic make-up, family history, ethnicity, health, and environmental factors that influence you can all have an impact on the causes of your diabetes. The causes of diabetes differ based on the person and the kind, thus there isn’t a single cause that applies to all cases.
For instance, the cause of gestational diabetes and type 1 diabetes are very different. Similarly, type 2 diabetes has different causes than type 1 diabetes. In actuality, the causes of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are extremely dissimilar. Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is caused by the body’s resistance to insulin, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune illness in which the pancreas cannot make insulin.
Nursing Revalidation provides CPD accredited Diabetes awareness course.
How to prevent yourself from diabetes?
The most prevalent form of diabetes, type 2, can be halted with lifestyle adjustments. If you already have type 2 diabetes due to being overweight or obese, having high cholesterol, or having a family history of the disease, prevention is crucial.
Living a healthier lifestyle can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, which is high blood sugar that isn’t yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Making a few little lifestyle adjustments today may help you prevent potential major health issues associated with diabetes, such as damage to your nerves, kidneys, and heart. Starting is never too late.
1. Lose extra weight
Obesity lowers the risk of developing diabetes. People in one significant trial who lost roughly 7% of their body weight by dietary and exercise improvements saw a nearly 60% reduction in their chance of acquiring diabetes.
To stop the disease from progressing, the American Diabetes Association advises prediabetic individuals to lose between 7% and 10% of their body weight. Greater advantages will result from further weight loss.
Depending on your present body weight, choose a weight-loss objective. Discuss attainable short-term objectives and expectations with your doctor, such as shedding 1 to 2 pounds per week.
2. Be more physically active
There are many benefits to regular physical activity. Exercise can help you:
- Lose weight
- Lower your blood sugar
- Boost your sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range
Goals for most adults to promote weight loss and maintain a healthy weight include:
- Aerobic exercise. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise — such as brisk walking, swimming, biking or running — on most days for a total of at least 150 minutes a week.
- Resistance exercise. Resistance exercise — at least 2 to 3 times a week — increases your strength, balance and ability to maintain an active life. Resistance training includes weightlifting, yoga and calisthenics.
- Limited inactivity. Breaking up long bouts of inactivity, such as sitting at the computer, can help control blood sugar levels. Take a few minutes to stand, walk around or do some light activity every 30 minutes.
3. Eat healthy plant foods
Plants enrich your diet with vitamins, minerals, and carbs. Sugars, starches, and fibre are all types of carbohydrates. These are the sources of energy for your body. Roughage and bulk are other terms for dietary fibre, which is the portion of plant foods that your body cannot digest or absorb.
Foods high in fibre encourage weight loss and reduce the incidence of diabetes. Consume a range of wholesome, high-fiber foods, such as:
- Fruits, such as tomatoes, peppers and fruit from trees
- Nonstarchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli and cauliflower
- Legumes, such as beans, chickpeas and lentils
- Whole grains, such as whole-wheat pasta and bread, whole-grain rice, whole oats, and quinoa
The benefits of fiber include:
- Slowing the absorption of sugars and lowering blood sugar levels
- Interfering with the absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol
- Managing other risk factors that affect heart health, such as blood pressure and inflammation
- Helping you eat less because fiber-rich foods are more filling and energy rich
Avoid foods that are “bad carbohydrates” — high in sugar with little fiber or nutrients: white bread and pastries, pasta from white flour, fruit juices, and processed foods with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
Nursing Revalidation provides CPD accredited Diabetes awareness course.
4. Eat healthy fats
Fatty foods are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation. To help lose and manage weight, your diet should include a variety of foods with unsaturated fats, sometimes called “good fats.”
Unsaturated fats — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — promote healthy blood cholesterol levels and good heart and vascular health. Sources of good fats include:
- Olive, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed and canola oils
- Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, peanuts, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds
- Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and cod
Saturated fats, the “bad fats,” are found in dairy products and meats. These should be a small part of your diet. You can limit saturated fats by eating low-fat dairy products and lean chicken and pork.
5. Skip fad diets and make healthier choices
Numerous diets, including the paleo, keto, and glycemic index diets, may aid in weight loss. However, there is little information available regarding the long-term advantages of these diets or their use in preventing diabetes.
Your eating objective should be to reduce weight and then go forward maintaining a healthier weight. Therefore, making healthy food choices requires a plan that you can stick to as a lifelong habit. Over time, you might benefit from making healthy options that incorporate some of your own gastronomic preferences and cultural customs.
Divide your plate into smaller servings as one easy way to aid in optimal food selection and consumption. Your plate’s three sections that encourage healthy eating are:
- One-half: fruit and no starchy vegetables
- One-quarter: whole grains
- One-quarter: protein-rich foods, such as legumes, fish or lean meats
What type of food you should not eat to avoid diabetes?
Since diabetes is a disorder of the body’s metabolism, the diabetic must maintain a carefully balanced routine of diet, exercise, and medication (insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents). Diet is the most important factor in the control of diabetes.
it is calculated by the patient’s physician and is based on the age, sex, health, activity level, and dietary habits of the patient. Diet consists of controlled amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fat calories.
Diabetes awareness course
Nursing Revalidation provides CPD accredited Diabetes awareness course.
Diabetes is a serious lifelong health condition that occurs when the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood is too high. If left untreated, high blood glucose levels can cause serious health complications. This course is aimed at people working in the health and social care sector and will provide an overview of the condition, the common symptoms that might indicate someone has diabetes, methods of diagnosis, some possible treatments and common complications that can affect those with the condition.
The bottom line
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. This disease causes high blood sugar. High blood sugar can cause severe damage to body organs.