Diabetes its causes, types and how to overcome it

 Understanding the Different Types of Diabetes

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body is unable to properly regulate the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. There are two main types of diabetes.
1: Type-1 Diabetes
2: Type-2 Diabetes

WHAT IS TYPE -1 DIABETES?

Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, a hormone  that helps regulate blood sugar. As a result, people with type-1 diabetes must take insulin injections or use an insulin pump to help their bodies use glucose for energy.
Type-1 diabetes occurs in children, is an acute onset. Children’s  have very high blood sugar and the only treatment for such children’s who have type-1 diabetes is insulin. Infect you will be surprised to know that insulin itself is discovered only 100 years ago and before that if any child in the world had type-1 diabetes they simply died within two or three months and maximum one year. Insulin changed all that situation  and gave a new life to the children’s with type-1 diabetes.
Today children’s with type-1 diabetes can live upto 80 to 90 years.

WHAT IS TYPE-2 DIABETES?

Type-2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or does not produce insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level .It is often associated with obesity, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. Many people with type-2 diabetes can manage their condition with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and eating a healthy diet, or with medications.
Infact type-2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and it is estimated to affect about 90 to 95 percent of  people all around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019 an estimated 463 million adults were living with diabetes and most of these cases were of type-2 diabetes .The number of people with diabetes is expected to continue to rise in the coming years, with the WHO predicting that the number of adults with diabetes will reach 700 million by 2045.
Both types of diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, nerve damage, blindness, kidney disease and amputations.

IS DIABETES A DISEASE OR IS IT A DISORDER?

It can either be a disorder or it can be a disease and it is left to you to decide how you want to make diabetes.
If you just have a little bit of high sugar in your blood and this is reversible or it can be controlled. It is not going to do any harm to you at all then why you call it a disease, it’s  just a simpler disorder and the whole life you can just keep diabetes as just like your friend and it’s just a simple disorder and it is not going to affect you in any way.
But diabetes is  like a tiger, now you will think that what is the comparision between the diabetes and a tiger. As long as the tiger is in the cage it is safe for us, you can go and stand near it, you can say hii to it and it does’nt  affect you. But what will happen if you release the  tiger from the cage, the tiger will come charging at you, it is a complete different tiger, isn’t it? Diabetes is also like that. As long as  you keep it under control, you really don’t have to worry about it and you don’t even have to call it as a disease, it’s just a simple disorder. But if you don’t look after diabetes and if it is not controlled then it starts biting you literally.
It can affect your eyes, kidney, heart and feet. Infact we can say from the head to the toe, including the head and the toe can be affected by the diabetes.
So ladies and gentleman the choice is yours.Do you want to treat diabetes like a simple disorder which may even be completely reversible, you can even remove it from your system or are you going to allow this to grow like a cancer inside your body until ultimately all the organs get affected.

CAUSES  OF  TYPE-2 DIABETES

Type-2 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. People with a family history of diabetes are at higher risk of developing the condition, but it can also occur in people without a family history.
There are several lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, including:
1: Being overweight or obese: Excess weight especially around the waist, increases the risk of type-2 diabetes
2: Physical inactivity: Lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of  type-2 diabetes.
3: Poor Diet: A diet high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats can increase the risk of type-2 diabetes.
4: Age: The risk of type-2 diabetes increases as people get older
5: Race: Some racial and ethnic groups, such as Africans Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, are at higher risk of type-2 diabetes.
6: Gestational diabetes: Women who have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) are at higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes later in life.
7: Prediabetes: People with prediabetes (elevated blood sugar levels that are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes) have a higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

DIET FOR DIABETIC PERSON

A healthy diet is an important part of managing diabetes and reducing the risk of complications. Some general recommendations for a healthy diet for people with diabetes include:

1. Eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and Brussels sprouts.

2. Choose whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, and quinoa, instead of refined grains.

3. Include a variety of protein sources in your diet, such as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and tofu.

4. Eat fruits, but be mindful of the portion size and choose mostly low-glycemic index fruits, such as berries, apples, and pears.

5. Limit your intake of added sugars and saturated and trans fats, and choose healthier fats, such as olive oil and avocado.

6. Drink plenty of water and limit your intake of sugary drinks.

It is also important to pay attention to portion sizes and the number of carbohydrates you eat, as carbohydrates can affect blood sugar levels. It may be helpful to work with a registered dietitian to create a meal plan that meets your individual needs and goals.

DIET TO BE AVOIDED BY DIABETIC PATIENT

There are certain types of foods that are generally not recommended for people with diabetes, as they can increase the risk of high blood sugar levels and other complications. These include:

1.     Foods high in added sugars: These include sugary drinks, candy, cookies, and pastries.

2.     Foods high in saturated and trans fats: These include fried foods, fatty meats, and processed snack foods.

3.     Highly processed foods: These include foods that are high in refined grains, artificial ingredients, and preservatives.

4.     Foods high in sodium: These include processed meats, canned soups, and snack foods.

It is important to note that these foods should be limited, but they can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. It is also important to pay attention to portion sizes and the overall balance of your diet. It may be helpful to work with a registered dietitian to create a meal plan that meets your individual needs and goals.

FRUITS TO BE EATEN BY DIABETIC PERSON

Fruits can be a healthy part of a person's diet, including for people with diabetes. However, it is important for people with diabetes to be mindful of the portion size and choose fruits that have a low glycemic index (GI), which means they are less likely to cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Some examples of low-GI fruits that may be suitable for people with diabetes include:

1.     Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries have a low GI and are high in fiber and antioxidants.

2.     Apples: Apples have a moderate GI and are high in fiber and antioxidants.

3.     Pears: Pears have a low GI and are high in fiber and antioxidants.

4.     Plums: Plums have a low GI and are high in antioxidants.

5.     Oranges: Oranges have a moderate GI and are high in vitamin C and fiber.

It is important to pay attention to portion sizes and the overall balance of your diet. It may be helpful to work with a registered dietitian to create a meal plan that meets your individual needs and goals.

EXERCISE FOR DIABETIC PATIENT

Exercise is an important part of managing diabetes and reducing the risk of complications. Regular physical activity can help lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Some suitable exercises for people with diabetes include:

1.     Walking: This is a low-impact exercise that can be done at any fitness level.

2.     Swimming: This is a low-impact exercise that is easy on the joints and can help improve cardiovascular health.

3.     Biking: This is a moderate-intensity exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and help lower blood sugar levels.

4.     Strength training: This type of exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.

5.     Yoga: This type of exercise can improve flexibility, balance, and relaxation, and may also help lower blood sugar levels.

It is important for people with diabetes to talk to their healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. The intensity and duration of the exercise should be tailored to the individual's fitness level and any other health conditions they may have.