Diabetes - An Overview

  • Diabeties
    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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Stories

  • Profile pic of Jimmy Ong, a person with diabetes
    Hypoglycaemia: The highs and the lows
    Jimmy Ong from Singapore relates his personal experiences of being a patient with Type 1 Diabetes and suffering frequent bouts of hypoglycaemia to learn diabetes management the hard way Early Diagnosis  I was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic in June 1979 at the age of 28 when I also happened to be overweight. At the time of diagnosis, I had very high glucose in my blood, a count of about 23.  Symptoms  I was urinating abnormally and drinking liquid excessively. I used to wake up a…
  • How diabetes affects your sex life
    Many people with diabetes encounter difficulties with sex but are hesitant to address them. Some of you have asked us anonymously. Diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil from Mumbai offers some information and advice. Sexual problems (sexual dysfunction) are common among people with diabetes. Both men and women with diabetes experience sexual difficulties as a result of complications from the disease. How common is the problem? Although no official statistics are available for the extent…
  • Aqua therapy - a fitness solution beyond joint pains
    Struggling with joint aches and pains and not able to exercise. Is Aqua Therapy an option for you? PatientsEngage speaks to Mumbai-based Deepali Jain, a certified aqua specialist and fitness expert and Sucheta Talwar who conquered fear of water and severe arthritis with aqua therapy.  What is Aqua Therapy? Aqua Therapy is a specialized form of water-based exercises and work outs for relaxation, fitness, health benefits and rehabilitation. It refers to the use of water for…
  • 4 Winter Diet Myths addressed
    Did you know an individual gains an average of 2-5 Kgs in winter? Winter is a season of indulgences pushing us often to have food loaded with calories. Dietician and diabetes educator, Ujjwala Baxi tells us how to enjoy the winter without gaining weight. Come winter, the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness, and we tend to gear up for both warm clothes as well as those mouthwatering season-specials that make every nippy evening worth its while. We throw our calorie-consciousness to the winds…
  • 3 Simple Steps to Manage Diabetes E-book
    A lot people find managing Diabetes on a day to day basis very difficult. But there is no need to worry. Here we have drawn from the experiences of those with diabetes and provided you tips to understand and manage your diabetes https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/diabetes-has-kept-me-healthy https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/focus-exercise-and-diet-control Click on the image below, login or register and download 3 Simple Steps To Diabetes Management Click on the image…
  • Coconut Sugar – Healthy Sugar Alternative or a Big, Fat Lie?
    3 Key takeaways on this topic: Is Coconut Sugar or Coconut Palm Sugar more nutritious than Regular Sugar? Yes, it is. But while Coconut Sugar is more full of nutrients, it also has the same amount of calories as regular sugar.  Does it have a lower glycemic index than table sugar? While it has a lower glycemic index compared to glucose, it has not been tested against table sugar. Does it have less fructose than regular sugar? Coconut sugar supplies almost the same amount of fructose as…
  • Diabetes is 80% dependent on lifestyle
    Says diabetes guru and activist Dr Anoop Misra. “A healthy lifestyle can alter genetic expression”. Plus, his advice on how to keep this silent predator at bay, fast food for kids, the ‘Diabetes Rath’, busting diabetes myths, and more.   Q1. India is home to 17% of the world's diabetics. Are we prepared to deal with the ever-growing numbers? First, the economics. The current expenditure on diabetes treatment in India is approximately 95 USD (Rs. 6000)/person/annum as per IDF atlas, 2014,…
  • Stock image of Diabetes text in a red circle with a red line crossed over and the overlay text diabetes prevention
    Diabetes Prevention
    Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but onset of Type 2 diabetes in most cases may be prevented by watching your diet, managing your weight and changing your lifestyle. At the very least the progression of Type 2 diabetes can be managed. Regular screening for diabetes plays a very important role. Undergoing routine screenings for diabetes, especially if there is a family history of Type 1 / Type 2 diabetes or presence of risk factors can help detect the condition at an early stage and enable…
  • Diabetes Management
    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…
  • Stock pic of the various forms of diabetes medications delivery options and the text overlay Diabetes Treatment
    Diabetes Treatment
    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…