Diabetes

Diabetes

 

1.       What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical disorder in which there is too much sugar in the blood.  This is caused by the lack of a hormone called insulin that is produced by a gland in our body called the pancreas. The incidence of diabetes is about one in every thirty people. It tends to increase as we get older with age.
 

There are two main types of diabetes.  Type 1 is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.  It occurs mainly in young people.  Patients with type 1 diabetes require insulin injection, because their pancreas produces little or no insulin at all. The cause for this in majority of the cases is unknown.
 

Type 2 diabetes is known as mature-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. It mainly affects people at or above 40 years of age. Many of these patients are overweight and have a high intake of excessive calories and sugar in their diet. It is usually controlled by proper diet and regular exercise. Some patients will need diabetes medications and others may need insulin to control their type 2 diabetes.

2.       What are the symptoms?

The classic symptoms of untreated diabetes include excessive and frequent urination, excessive thirst, loss of weight, tiredness, lack of energy, tendency to get infection and becoming unwell. Many people with early-onset diabetes may not have any symptoms at all.

3.       What are the risks of diabetes?

If diabetes is untreated, the complications are severe. These complications include coma, kidney disease, blindness, heart disease, and stroke. Death can also occur.  There is also an increase in risk of infection and its complications if your diabetes is poorly controlled.  In men, a reduction in libido and erection problems can occur.

 

There are effective treatments in modern medicine for your diabetes although a cure for diabetes has not yet been found. The effective treatment includes diet control and regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Medications can be used in treating your diabetes. In some severe cases, insulin injection is prescribed by your doctor.

4.       How important is diet control and regular exercise in diabetes treatment?

Diet control and regular exercise as well as a healthy life style are very important in the treatment of your diabetes. The aims of healthy and good diet control and regular exercise are to keep your ideal weight and to keep your blood sugar normal.  This can be achieved by:

·        Regularly eating good foods.

·        Regularly spacing your meals throughout the day to three main meals and three snacks.

·         Cutting down the fat content in your diet.

·         Avoiding sugar & refined carbohydrates, such as jam, honey, chocolate, sweets, 
 pastries, cakes, and soft drinks.

·         Eating a balance and more nature carbohydrates, such as whole meal bread, potato
 and cereals.

·        Eating a good variety of fruits and vegetables.

·        Cutting down alcohol intake to a healthy moderation of two standard drinks a day.

·         Regular exercise and physical activities to keep fit, such as brisk walking, jogging, 
 running, football, tennis, skiing, and aerobics.

·         Aim to do at least 30 minutes exercise, 3 times a week.

5.       The good advice for people with diabetes

a.       Exercise is important.

b.       Avoid becoming overweight.

c.        Proper diet is the key to success.

d.       A low fat and no sugar diet is important.

e.       Do not smoke.

f.        Minimize alcohol intake.

g.       Take special care of your feet.

h.       Self-discipline and have a normal happy and healthy life.