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    Diabetes
    Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body has difficulty regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar level.  The burden of diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in developing countries. While the causes are complex, but the increase is in large part due to rapid increases in overweight, including obesity and physical inactivity. There is good evidence that a large proportion of cases of diabetes and its complications can be prevented by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 1 June 2014
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Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body has difficulty regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar level. Blood glucose is the main source of energy for the body and we get it from the food we eat which is broken down into glucose. For glucose to get into the cells, insulin, a pancreatic hormone is required. In patients with diabetes, the pancreas produces less or no insulin or the cells don’t respond to the insulin produced. This leads to the accumulation of glucose in the blood which is then excreted out of the body in urine. The body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of sugar. 

What is the difference between hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia?

Hyperglycemia is increased blood sugar in the range 100-126 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia is low level of sugar in blood, which leads to sweating, palpitations, increased respiratory rate etc.

 

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  • High blood sugar 'raises depression risk' in diabetics
    Researchers have suggested that people with diabetes may be more prone to depression because of an interaction in this group between high blood sugar levels and a neurotransmitter associated with depression. The team presented their findings at the joint meeting of the International Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society: ICE/ENDO 2014 in Chicago, IL. Previous research has suggested links between diabetes and depression, but scientists have been unsure of the…
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    Yoga - Sarpasana or Snake Pose
    Meaning Sarpa means snake. Sarpasana mimics the posture of a snake. Benefits of Sarpasana 1. It strengthens the back and makes the spine supple. 2. The posture helps to stretch the abdominal cavity and the chest. 3. It stimulates and directly exercises internal organs such as the pancreas, intestines, liver and kidneys. Thus Sarpasana is believed to help manage diabetes. 4. It massages the pelvis and the reproductive organs, helps in menstrual and other gynaecological disorders. 5. It deepens…
  • Diabetic Complications - Nephropathy - Kidney
    The function of the kidney is to rid the body of toxins and to purify the blood. Diabetes can reduce the kidney’s ability to filter waste products, leading to build-up of waste products in the body. Anatomy of the kidney This is how the kidney works: The end functioning unit of the kidney is the glomerulus, which filters out ammonia, urea and other chemicals from the blood entering the kidneys. Blood vessels that enter the kidney are called afferent and those exiting are…
  • Focus on exercise and diet control
    Says Mumbai-based Pradeep , 59, who gave up sweets and took up yoga to keep his diabetes under control. Q. What kind of diabetes are you suffering from?  Type 2 diabetes Q. When were you diagnosed? 1994 Q. Early symptoms? I had pain in my legs and general lethargy. Q. Is there diabetes in the family? No Q. Did you start managing it immediately or was there another trigger point? I started managing immediately. Q. What is your present condition? Diabetes is fully under control. Q. What…
  • Wing of an aeroplane indicating Air Travel
    Diabetes and Travel - Carry A Doctor's Note
    Despite being insulin-dependent, Jayesh Shah (54) continues to globe-trot for work. All it needs is a little extra planning, he says. Here, he shares his top tips for travelling safely with diabetes.  • Carry the doctor’s prescription with you • Inform airport security that you are a diabetic • When travelling across time zones, adjust your medication and food intake as per the time zone that you are currently in • Do not skip any meals; over eating is better than fasting,…
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    Yoga - Ardha Pavanamuktasana
    Meaning: Ardha is half.  Pavan is air/wind/gas. Asana is posture. This asana’s name reflects its benefits, that is, the release of unnecessary gases from the body, especially the stomach. Benefits 1. It strengthens the lower back and stretches the spinal cord. It is thus particularly good for treating back pain. 2. The posture helps to massage the abdomen and the digestive system thereby eliminating wind and preventing constipation. 3. It stimulates and directly exercises internal organs…
  • A gloved hand checking the foot for diabetic foot ulcers
    Diabetic Foot Ulcers : Prevention and Treatment
    Diabetic foot ulcers occur in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes, and is an open sore or wound that is located on the bottom of the foot. Infection of the wound and other ulcer-related complication can result in hospitalization. Learn to prevent and manage it.   What is diabetic foot ulcer? Diabetic patients are at a high risk of developing many foot problems. Even simple foot problems can become severe and cause complications. The root cause of…
  • Carbs are not your enemy!
    With all the hype around high-protein diets, more and more people want to cut down, and some want to eliminate, carbohydrates from their diets. But not only are carbohydrates present in almost all foods, eliminating them would disturb the body’s natural functioning, says Dietitian and Diabetes Educator Ujjwala Baxi. Why do we need carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of fuel for our internal and external functions. Carbohydrates are digested and broken down into glucose,…
  • Diabetic Skin Complications
    - With inputs from Dr. Anju Virmani, Endocrinologist, New Delhi What is it People with diabetes, due to high blood glucose, often have a loss of fluid in the body. This can cause dry skin on the legs, elbows, feet and other areas of the body. Dry skin is more likely to crack, allowing germs to get into these areas, causing infections that can have severe consequences. Diabetics are more prone to getting bacterial and fungal infections. Diabetics may also suffer from itchy skin…
  • Anatomical Image of Ovaries in human body
    Diabetic Complications: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
    With inputs from Dr. Chandan Dubey What is it If you have 2 or more of the following symptoms, you should get yourself checked by a gynaecologist to confirm or rule out Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS):  • Multiple small cysts in the ovaries • Infrequent (more than 35 days) or absent periods due to eggs not releasing every month  • High androgen features (facial and body hair, acne, abdominal fat, frontal balding) PCOS and its impact  PCOS may lead to acne,…