Knowing about Diabetes and Maintaining Regular Blood Sugar Check Routine

"Diabetes mellitus," commonly referred to as "diabetes," is a health condition that leads to rise of sugar in the blood to very dangerous levels.

About Diabetes

Diabetes can be mainly categorized into two types:

Type-1

This is a serious and complicated type of diabetes because the pancreatic beta cells become completely defective or dead. This deters production of insulin. One requires getting lifelong insulin injections to maintain normal blood sugar.

Type-II

About 90 per cent of diabetics are categorized into this group. The body produce little or defective insulin. Following proper diet and exercise will help them lead a healthy lifestyle.
Here is a list of symptoms that may be an indication of diabetes:

Loss of Weight

The cells are unable to use glucose and stored fats are disintegrated by the body to feed cells. This makes a person lose weight.

Weakness

The body breaks up stored muscle-protein to feed starving cells. This causes undue weakness and body ache.

Fatigue and Lack of Concentration

The brain-cells are dependent on glucose for nourishment. However, diabetes does not allow them to use the available glucose. Hence, the individual experiences mental fatigue, loss of memory, and is unable to concentrate.

Slow or No Healing

Diabetes tends to affects the small blood vessels and nerves. This results in decrease of blood-supply of the skin. Hence, even a small wound will catch infection and does not heal quickly.

Severe Itching

The patient experiences skin infections, especially around genital area. Women usually suffer from vaginal and urinary tract infections.

Vision

As the internal fluid glucose concentration of the eyes changes, the focusing power experiences variation. Hence, a diabetic needs to change his spectacle lenses very often.

Sexual Weakness

The symptom arises due to general weakness, depression, and disintegration of muscle-protein.

Diabetic Unconsciousness

Also referred to as hyperglycemic coma, the symptom makes the patient fall into a state of unconsciousness as the body disintegrates stored fats in order to feed starving cells. The process results in ketone body production in the blood in excess and unconsciousness.

Diabetes Blood Sugar Test

Remember that a specific amount of sugar is present in the blood always. This is also very necessary. In case of diabetes, the blood-sugar level rises and reaches above the normal (physiological limits).

Other Symptoms

• Increased thirst
• Dryness of mouth
• Excessive and frequent urination
• Excessive hunger

It is crucial to undertake blood sugar test using special devices to detect the amount of sugar present in the blood. Here is the list of common blood sugar test done:

1. Glucose tolerance test
2. Fasting blood sugar and Post-prandial blood-sugar
3. Glutamate Acid Di-carboxylase test
4. Glycosylated haemoglobin test
5. Stress Glucose tolerance test

Continue

Can Exercise Really Cure Diabetes?

Diabetes is caused when the body is unable to produce or use insulin. Insulin which is responsible for the breakdown of sugar in blood cannot perform its functions when diabetes sets in. This results in high blood sugar levels. If left untreated, diabetes can give rise to many complications. Fortunately, medical science has come up with many ways to cure this wretched disease. Doctors recommend a controlled diet and exercise regimen as the best way to keep diabetes under control.

Why Exercise?

Exercise has always been thought of as the way to keep the human body in proper shape. Many people also exercise to keep numerous diseases at bay. With proper exercise it is also possible to ward off the symptoms of diabetes altogether. People leading sedentary lives develop a high risk of contracting diabetes.  Coupled with improper diet, the lack of exercise can effectively make the body resistant to insulin. Higher concentration of fat cells in the body is said to slow down the absorption of insulin and in turn increase blood sugar levels.

Advantages of Exercise

Working out burns excess fat reserves and thus promotes the absorption of insulin. It also improves your muscular strength, stamina and promotes cardiovascular wellbeing. Diabetes often gives way to many heart diseases. Exercising lowers cholesterol levels and promotes blood circulation effectively. Thus with regular exercise, you are able to protect and strengthen your heart as well as lower risks of diabetes.

What To Do?

If you’re suffering from diabetes, you are supposed to reduce your sedentary time and engage in physical activities. Working out for about 45 minutes daily will maintain your overall health and lower blood sugar levels at the same time. Include aerobics, swimming, jogging, running and some weight training in your exercise regimen. This way you will build strength and resistance at the same time.

The most effective way to stay on top of the disease is to constantly check your blood sugar levels. Blood glucose monitors available in all chemist shops can provide accurate readings. Such prompt readings can help you alter your treatment accordingly. 

Continue