Diabetes is a chronic, progressive metabolic disease with elevated blood glucose levels and affects 422 million people globally. With 77 million diabetics, India ranks second in the worldwide diabetes epidemic.
Type 1 - An autoimmune disorder where the body cannot produce insulin. You must take insulin to manage blood sugar.
Type 2 - Happens due to inadequate insulin production or utilisation. This lifestyle disorder is more prevalent.Managed care and various preventive healthcare measures can help.
The body's cells fail to respond to insulin, and more sugar circulates in the blood. As a result, the pancreas secrete more insulin to remove this excess blood sugar. Eventually, it fails to produce enough insulin resulting in high blood sugar. Prolonged unmanaged high blood sugar can harm the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, nerves, and eyes.
1. If either parent is a diabetic there is almost a 50 percent chance of getting it.
2. If you are passing urine very frequently, feeling excessively thirsty or hungry, losing weight, time to get your blood sugar tested.
3. If getting repeated urine infection, skin infection or fungus get your sugar checked
4. Obesity is a risk factor.
5. Sedentary lifestyle with lack of movement is a risk factor.
Excessive weight/obesity
Age: Risk increases with age
Family history of diabetes or heart disease
Ethnicity: Indians have a higher risk
Genetic susceptibility
Environment encouraging inactivity and unhealthy diet
Stress
Stay motivated
Set realistic goals
Create a new routine
Engage family and friends
Abstain from smoking
Adequate sleep
Stress management: Deep breathing, meditation, stress-busting activities
Increase daily physical activity: walking, gardening, jogging, swimming etc.
Exercise minimum 30 mins, five days/week
Resistance training: Weightlifting, Yoga
Limit inactivity periods: After 30 mins of sedentary activity, walk
Lots of fruit, non-starchy veggies, and legumes
Brown rice
Whole grain cereals
Fibre-rich foods
Vegetable oil and nuts
Select low-fat dairy and lean meat: Chicken and turkey (without skin), eggs, fish
Limit sugar to ≤50 g/day
Butter, saturated and trans fat
"Bad carbs" - white bread bakery products, syrups, sweetened beverages, etc.
Processed foods
Opt for baked, steamed, grilled, or broiled food
Pack high-energy foods like nuts in small containers to prevent overeating or being too hungry
Regular medial checkups.
At Circle Health, we believe early diagnosis is the key. People over 45 years should opt for an annual preventive consultation to prevent diabetes, heart attack, and cancer.
To know more, talk to us at +91 76763 12288.