Diabetes is one of the chronic disease that usually attacks older citizen. But nowadays, diabetes can easily attacked youngsters. The changes in lifestyle and daily habit makes the situation become worst. About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries, and 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year. Both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past few decades. Diabetes is a disease that affects our body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone.
When our body turns the food we eat into energy (also called sugar or glucose), insulin is released to help transport this energy to the cells. Insulin acts as a “key.” Its chemical message tells the cell to open and receive glucose. If we produce little or no insulin, or are insulin resistant, too much sugar remains in the blood. Did you know that blood glucose levels are higher than normal for individuals with diabetes? Diabetes happens when our body isn’t able to take up sugar (glucose) into its cells and use it for energy. This results in a build up of extra sugar in the bloodstream. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to serious consequences, causing damage to a wide range of our body’s organs and tissues – including heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long- and short-term health complications.
SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Extreme hunger
- Increased tiredness
- Unusual weight loss
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Slow-healing sores or cuts
- Frequent unexplained infections
- Dry mouth
COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES
If your blood glucose level remains high over a long period of time, your body’s tissues and organs can be seriously damaged. Some complications can be life-threatening over time. Complications include:
- Cardiovascular issues including coronary artery disease, chest pain, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis
- Nerve damage that causes numbing and tingling that starts at toes or fingers then spreads.
- Kidney damage that can lead to kidney failure or the need for dialysis or transplant
- Eye damage that can lead to blindness; cataracts, glaucoma
- Foot damage including nerve damage, poor blood flow and poor healing of cuts and sores
- Skin infections
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hearing loss
- Depression
- Dementia
- Dental problems
TIPS TO OVERCOME DIABETES
- Eating a diet high in fresh, nutritious foods, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean
proteins, low-fat dairy, and healthy fat sources, such as nuts.
- Avoiding high-sugar foods that provide empty calories, or calories that do not have other nutritional benefits, such as sweetened sodas, fried foods, and high-sugar desserts.
- Refraining from drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or keeping intake to less than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men.
- Engaging in at least 30 minutes exercise a day on at least 5 days of the week, such as of walking, aerobics, riding a bike, or swimming.
- Recognizing signs of low blood sugar when exercising, including dizziness, confusion, weakness, and profuse sweating.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DIABETES