NRI Family Health brings to you Awareness 2016, a knowledge series that discusses the most common diseases in a way that is easy to understand. 

The theme for this ‘’World Health Day’ is ‘’Beat Diabetes’’ .

Diabetes has started showing up in people less than 45 years of age, which is a concern because it can gravely affect the quality of life in older years. Let us have a look at what we shall be discussing over the next 7 days. 

1. What is Diabetes?
2. Important Facts
3. Prevention
4. Diabetes and Pregnancy
5. Control
6. Risks of Diabetes in children
7. Care giving for Diabetics 

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes is simply elevated amounts of sugar in blood. The amount of sugar in blood is controlled by Insulin and obviously any defect in the life of Insulin will affect the amount of sugar the blood carries. When the amount of Insulin produced in the body is low then we call it: 

DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 1 OR (INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS) : This starts typically in people under 30 years age. Insulin is manufactured in a simple looking factory smaller than your fist. Surprisingly Insulin is not the only hormone produced by it, it also controls your digestion and releases other hormones. So this factory at times goes in an array due to various condition like: 

HEREDITARY: It is not mandatory that children will have it if parents have diabetes. Chances are higher is father has it and highest if both have it and if the age of the mother was less than 25 at the time if birth. People from Scandinavian countries have a higher chance of developing it during their lifetime. Asians and Africans carry a lower chance. Of all the cases Type DM is 10%

MEDICATION: A lot of medications specially anti-cancer can alter Insulin levels. Always share your Diabetic history with the physician. It is also important to understand that medicines should never be consumed without consultation 

ENVIRONMENT: Colder temperatures tend to influence production of Insulin. Chances of Genetic predisposition expressing itself is higher in certain conditions more than others. 

Others: Injury, Cancer and pancreatitis

DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2 (NON-INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS) : This is what affects 90% of the people you see affected with this disease. It starts at a later stage in life and can finally turn into an Insulin Dependent DM. Some reasons that are linked to this condition are: 

 HEREDITARY: Contrary to popular belief genetic predisposition is only 10% cause of the disease. Other factors can trigger these genes to produce the effect 

 LIFESTYLE: Fat and Carbohydrate rich diet is an important factor. A diet rich in these often leads to weight gain and which in turn can lead to expression of faulty genetics. In fact people who do not carry many faulty genes can also turn diabetic. Little or no exercise, stress are vital factors affecting Type 2 diabetes.   

 OTHER: Many medications given over a period to control blood pressure can precipitate this disease. Disarrayed thyroid levels can produce temporary diabetic conditions

 GESTATIONAL DIABETES: This happens to women who earlier where diagnosed with either of the two forms of diabetes and are now expecting a baby. This condition requires immediate medical attention and if left untreated can severely affect the child birth, child and the mother.

To talk tour Diabetologist or get yourself tested for Diabetes:

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