The world around considers today (November 14, 2009) as World Diabetes Day. An awareness is being created among people but still many are not concerned about Diabetes because they are neither aware of its symptoms nor its consequences.

Diabetes is fast spreading and the number of victims is just on a vertical rise.

Diabetes Statistics:

In 1985 the diabetes population in the world was 30 million. In 2000 it was 150 million and at present it has reached 285 million.

Diabetes being a hereditary, India has the maximum of diabetes population, one out of every six diabetes persons in the world is an Indian. So India is also nicknamed as Diabetes Capital of the World.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) is a metabolism disorder. Metabolism is a digestive function by which our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose which is a form of sugar in the blood – it is the principal source of energy for our bodies.

When our food is digested the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose by itself cannot enter our cells without insulin being present – so insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Normally after eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells, and lowers the blood sugar level. Any deficiency in the production of adequate or no production of Insulin by pancreas causes Diabetes. So the level of glucose in the blood goes up, a medical condition termed as Hyperglycemia. The excess of glucose is excreted by urine without giving the body cells adequate energy and growth.

Causes of Diabetes

Modern hectic, stressful life style, over consumption of junk food, inactivity, overweight or obesity and hereditary reasons.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes symptoms include tiredness, weakness, thirst, weight loss, giddiness, eyesight deterioration, excessive urinating feeling, itching of urinary organ, delayed healing or aggravation of wounds and non-curing of sickness even after medication are the prominent symptoms of Diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 – You produce no insulin at all – Insulin dependant.
Type 2 – You don’t produce enough insulin, or your insulin is not working properly – dependant on medicines other than Insulin.
Gestational Diabetes – diabetes develops just during pregnancy.

Diabetes Types 1 & 2 are non-curable and life-long medical conditions. But Type 3 Gestational Diabetes usually cures after the birth of the child.

How to Treat Diabetes for Effective Control?

All types of diabetes are treatable to keep the sugar level under control, but Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are life-long without known cure. The treatment for a Type 1 patient is mainly injected insulin, proper diet and daily exercise regimen. In cases of overweight or obesity the patient must lose weight with diet control and exercise. The patient must get rid of mental tension and lead pa peaceful life.

Patients with Type 2 are usually treated with tablets, exercise and a special diet, but sometimes insulin injections may also be required.

If diabetes is not controlled the patient is exposed to higher risk of developing complications viz hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and nonketotic hypersosmolar coma. If diabetes is left untreated for longer time patient would develop complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinal damage, chronic kidney failure, nerve damage, non-healing of wounds, gangrene of the feet which may lead to amputation. Diabestes also causes erectile dysfunction.

Children & Teens develop Diabetes

The sad part is even children and teens who are inactive, overweight and due to the present day dietary style develop Type 2 Diabetes at an early age. Ironically it is diagnosed only later on at a later stage.

So Better To Lose That Unnecessary Weight

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