Diabetes

You need a healthy meal plan and an exercise regimen. Being active is very important as it helps the body use insulin more efficiently to convert glucose into energy for the cells.  Food and Nutrition  Making the right food choices is very important in managing diabetes. We make it easy for you to eat well and healthily with simple dos and dont’s, tips for creating a healthy plate and examples of low-glycaemic index foods.  Physical Fitness Exercise plays a key role in managing…

There are number of treatments available to treat diabetes. Treatments are individualized based on factors such as age, overall health, and presence of other medical conditions.   For persons with Type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas does not produce insulin, insulin injections are prescribed at the time of diagnosis whereas for those with Type 2 diabetes, insulin and/or medications are prescribed depending on the impairment of glucose metabolism. Physical exercise and balanced diet also…

Testing for diabetes is essential in identifying individuals with the condition or those at risk. Various tests are available to diagnose diabetes and assess blood sugar control. Here are some common tests for diabetes: Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG): This is a blood test that is done first thing in the morning. You have to fast for eight hours before the test. You are allowed to drink water.  If your fasting blood glucose is 100 mg/dL - 125 mg/dL you are considered Prediabetic. If it is…

There are different types and stages of diabetes Prediabetes: is when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes. Simply put, prediabetes puts you at risk of developing diabetes unless you change your lifestyle and bring down the amount of glucose in your blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15 to 30 per cent of prediabetics develop Type 2 Diabetes within five years if they do not change their lifestyle. But just…

You could have no symptoms or you could have one or more of the following symptoms. These symptoms are common for both Type 1 Diabetes (earlier called Juvenile diabetes) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Increased thirst Frequent urination Blurred vision Extreme fatigue  Weight loss Increased hunger Irritability Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet Frequent skin, bladder or gum infections Wounds that don't heal

Are you at risk of developing diabetes? Yes if you are: 45 years of age or older Overweight with a BMI (Body mass index) of 25 or over.  Is your waist measurement more than 35cm (for women) and 40cm (for men) Physically inactive Have a close relative with diabetes Have a history of gestational diabetes or delivering an overweight baby (> 9 pounds) Have polycystic ovary syndrome High triglycerides or low HDL (good) cholesterol Have had abnormal blood sugar tests in the past Have heart…

A herbal drug for diabetes that costs Rs.5 per pill, developed by two Lucknow-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), and licensed to Delhi-based Aimil Pharamaceuticals Pvt. Ltd for commercialization, has been launched in parts of north India. The drug, branded BGR-34, is a combination of natural extracts derived from four plant species…

Exercise is a key element in managing Diabetes. While some prefer walking or running, others prefer yoga and weight training. You can read how they included Yoga in their regimen. https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/focus-exercise-and-diet-control https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/move-it So we hand picked simple asanas for our members and put it together in this E-book.  You can download it from here: https://www.patientsengage.com/yogabooklet For more…

During the fasting month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world fast for more than 15 hours a day. Here, 6 possible side effects and how to counter them. It is best to have a check-up before you start fasting for Ramadan. This is particularly important if you have any chronic conditions, like diabetes or migraine. Do remember that the Qur’an exempts the sick from fasting. If your doctor advises against your fasting, speak to your Imam about your situation. Even if you are…

From being in denial to Diabetes Support Group member, Christine Lee, 62, talks about her 22-year tryst with diabetes. She tells us how she changed her life around, and her take on hawker food. When were you diagnosed? In August 1993 when I was about to undergo an operation. I was then 40 years old. What were the early symptoms?  My only symptom was that I always felt very thirsty and loved gulping down F&N Sarsaparilla (aka “Sarsi”). The thought of diabetes never crossed my mind…