The Hindu : Karnataka News : Some facts about diabetes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka

Some facts about diabetes

World diabetes is observed annually on November 14th to commemorate the birthday of Fredrick Banting who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1921.

World diabetes day promotes awareness that every person with diabetes or at risk of diabetes deserves the best possible quality of education, prevention and care available. Heat are some answers to oft repeated questions.

What Diabetes is?

Diabetes means your blood glucose (often called blood sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. But too much glucose in the blood isn’t good for your health.

How do you get high blood glucose?

Glucose comes from the food you eat and is also made in your liver and muscles, the blood glucose enters all the cells in the body in the presence of a chemical substance (hormone) called insulin. Insulin is made by pancreas and released into the blood. If the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin doesn’t work the way it should, glucose cannot get into the cells, it stays in your blood instead, your blood glucose level then gets too high, causing diabetes.

What is pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes (or Impaired glucose tolerance test) is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. The good news is that when you have pre-diabetes, with modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, you can prevent type 2 diabetes and even return to normal glucose levels.

What kind of diabetes do you have?

People can get diabetes at any age. These are three main kinds:

Type 1 diabetes: Formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin – dependent diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenage or young adults. With this form of diabetes, the Beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin, because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed them. Treatment for type1 diabetes includes taking insulin, making wise food choices, being physically active, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Type 2 Diabetes: Formerly called adult – onset diabetes or non insulin – Dependent diabetes, it is the commonest form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, commonly we used to diagnose diabetes after 40’s and 50’s however due to bad food choices, physical inactivity and stressful life stage, we often diagnose these type of diabetes in 20’s and 30’s.Even teenage groups are getting type 2 diabetes because of over weight and obesity.

The root cause of type 2 diabetes is genetic, obesity, physical inactivity and bad food choices.

Gestational diabetes: Some women developing gestational diabetes during the late stages of pregnancy, though the diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born a woman who has had it is more likely to get type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy. Women who are having condition called PCOS, overweight or obese women, family history of diabetes are more likely to get gestational diabetes.

Why do we need to know about and treat diabetes?

Diabetes once diagnosed will not go away, after many years, diabetes can lead to serious problems to your eyes, kidney, nerves and feet. But the most serious problem caused by diabetes have 3-4 times more likely to have hearts attack than non diabetes.

People with diabetes are also at increased risk of stroke.

However the research and studies done about diabetes all over the world over the last 2-3 diabetes have guided us that if we control diabetes, along with controlling blood pressure and cholesterol can prevent complications or progression of complication if already existed.

What’s desirable blood glucose level?

Every ones blood has some glucose in it. In people who don’t have diabetes, the normal range of blood glucose in about 70-120 mg/dl.Blood glucose goes up after eating ,but 1-2 hours later returns to normal range.

Blood glucose target for most people with diabetes.

When Target levels

Before meals 80-130 levels

(Before breakfast/lunch/dinner) Less than 180 mg/dl.

1-2 hrs after start of a meal

(After breakfast/lunch/dinner)

The AIC Test

Another test for blood glucose, the AIC also called the hemoglobin Aic test, Shows what your blood glucose was for the past 3 months. It shows how much glucose is sticking to your blood cells. The doctor does this test, to see what your blood glucose is most of the time. Have this test done at least 3-4 times a year. Target for most of the people is than 7% .HBAIC less than 7% indicates that most of the time your blood glucose are under safe range and less likely to develop up complication of diabetes.

S.Creatine and urine tests

*Ask your doctor to test, urine for micro albumin and S.Creatine to detect early evidence of kidney damage.

*Checking your eyes, every 6 month to 1 year or earlier of required by an experienced opthmologist is an important part of diabetes management. As diabetes is the common cause of blindness in adult.

Taking care of once feet / nerves are also very important. Along with correcting blood sugar, controlling blood pressure and blood fat is equally important. Blood pressure result. Target for most people with diabetes under 130/80 mg. Taking care of your diabetes every day

Experts say most people with diabetes should try to keep their blood glucose as close as possible to the level of someone who doesn’t have diabetes. The close to normal your blood sugar is, normal blood pressure and cholesterol, lower your chance of developing serious health problems

Do four thing everyday to lower high blood sugar

Follow your meal plan. Be physically active. Take your diabetes medicines. Check your blood glucose.

Your health care team will help you learn how to reach your target blood glucose range. Your health care provider is your doctor, nurse, diabetic educator and dietician.

Along with controlling blood glucose also-

Keep your blood pressure with in normal range. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Check your feet everyday. If you smoke quit.

By: Dr.Mohan K Rao

Consultant in Diabetes,

Obesity and Endocrinology

Sagar Apollo Hospital