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

  • Younger diabetics manage condition less well than older patients: Singapore Study
    SINGAPORE — When it comes to managing their condition, younger TYPE 2 diabetic patients — those below the age of 40 — in Singapore appear to be having a harder time keeping their conditions in check as compared to their older counterparts, a study by the Asia Diabetes Foundation (ADF) has found. The study involved over 300 diabetic patients here and was conducted at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Findings revealed that younger patients fared worse in two of three key indicators doctors…
  • Medical conditions did not deter these Singaporean students from pursuing academic success
    MARCH 3, 2015 19-year-old Darren Lou has known for years what he wants to do with his life.  Not only does he plan to be a doctor, he knows exactly which field he hopes to specialise in: Endocrinology, the study of the human body’s endocrine system, which deals with hormones and how it affects metabolism and growth, among other things. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three years ago, Darren hopes to help other patients like himself. Dealt a second blow a year later when a pre-enlistment…
  • Fruit consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes
    We get this question so often from people with diabetes who are worried about eating fruit that we thought we should share this research extract. Please remember every time you eat a cup of fruit (not juice), you are not eating something unhealthy like a packet of chips or a sweet.  Greater consumption of specific whole fruits, particularly blueberries, grapes, and apples, is significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas greater consumption of fruit juice is…
  • 5 tips to handle the Chinese new year festivities
    Juliana Lim has had Type 2 diabetes for 27 years. Here she shares her tips to handle the CNY festive season  My way of eating applies consistently throughout irregardless of festive seasons. They are: Eat using the PLATE concept (50% green leafy vegetables, 25% protein, 25% unpolished rice)   Eat in moderation, stay put in the 3 meals, do not over indulge in more meals like snacks, snacks and snacks.   CNY /festive goodies, eat with care. Ensure you have enough fresh fibre…
  • Just bounce back to disciplined care soon - Helpful CNY tips from a person with diabetes
    Ling, a person with diabetes from Singapore and a DSS team lead talks of how she deals with Lunar New Year festivities  I have to admit I'm not a good example when it comes to Chinese New Year.... I will relax and feast, .... I'm the kind who will rather skip a main meal so that I can enjoy the festive goodies eg new year cake. The few CNY tips I would like to share are : Do active spring cleaning to burn more calories! Include cleaning of windows, doors, furniture as well as long as…
  • Gong Xi Gong Xi...
    Enjoy the Lunar New Year festivities without compromising your health. By Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. It’s that time of the year again, the most significant few days in the Chinese calendar – the Lunar New Year. It’s a time to get together with friends and family and eat, drink and be merry... in a health-conscious way.  First up, the Reunion Dinner on New Year’s Eve, when families gather around a sumptuous meal. A part of the meal is Lo Hei, when everyone gathers…
  • No more ‘sugar rush’
    Everything you eat is converted to sugar – yes, proteins and fats, too. A fast food meal spikes blood sugar by 30%. Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju tells you how to break out of the vicious cycle of sugar rush, insulin spike, blood sugar drop, renewed hunger and weight gain.  Go for the slow burn  If you want your day to be more productive and rewarding, launch it with a nourishing meal. You will be more productive all day long if you invest just a few minutes in…
  • 9 reasons to get off that couch NOW
    Think you know all the reasons? Prepare to be surprised. By family practitioner and marathoner Dr Gita Mathai. Plus, how much to exercise to get its real benefits. We all want to look good, be slim and healthy. There’s one magic pill for this and it’s called exercise. Even if you’re ‘too tired’ or ‘too busy’, you need to get off that couch now.  Benefits of regular exercise Exercise helps to achieve ideal body weight if also combined with calorie restriction.…
  • Let your doctor know : Diabetes and Natural remedies
    It is important that the physician is kept updated about the natural remedies a diabetic is trying out. When managing blood sugar levels becomes a daily battle that tests one’s will and wits, a little help on the side certainly helps. Herbs, spices, botanicals, Chinese herbs, fish oil therapy, chromium picolinate — the list can be endless, not to mention the innumerable diabetes “supplements” available over the counter. Complementary and alternative medicines for diabetes are immensely…
  • Jakarta’s young working generation increasingly prone to diabetes
    While this is a news item about Jakarta, it could well be about the youth of Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore.. Nurul Ratna Manikam, a Clinical nutritionist at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta, said that most of her young patients worked an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift and spent their mornings and nights commuting to and from their offices. They also spend most of their time sitting on a chair behind their desks or standing inside a bus or train and did not have time to…