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World Diabetes Day

Diabetes Care

Nov 13th, 2021

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Diabetes Care

Saturday, November 13th, 2021

Diabetes affects one out of every ten persons worldwide. India has 72.9 million adults affected by this silent epidemic, making it the country with the second most diabetes patients. With almost 116 million diabetics, China tops the list. If you have diabetes, your body is unable to properly digest and utilise glucose obtained from your diet. There are different types of diabetes, each with its own set of causes, but they all have one thing in common: too much glucose in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed, hence it is important to raise awareness about this disease and find ways to reduce your risk.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes develops when your body’s cells are unable to absorb sugar (glucose) and utilise it for energy. Extra sugar builds up in your system as a result of this. Diabetes that is not well controlled can have serious health complications, including damage to a variety of organs and tissues in your body, including your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. The different types of diabetes include:

  • Type 1 diabetes
    This condition is an autoimmune disease, meaning your body attacks itself. The insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are damaged in this situation. Type 1 diabetes affects up to 10% of patients with diabetes. It is most commonly diagnosed in children and young people, and it is also known as “juvenile” diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin on a daily basis.
  • Type 2 diabetes
    With this type, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or your body’s cells don’t respond normally to the insulin. It is the most common type of diabetes and up to 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2.
  • Prediabetes
    This type is the stage before Type 2 diabetes. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be officially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
  • Gestational diabetes
    This type develops in some women during their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. However, for some women it may increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes symptoms often appear gradually over several years and are so minor that you may not even notice them. The following are the most prevalent symptoms of type 2 diabetes that should be investigated further:

  • Frequent urination
  • Feeling very thirst and hungry
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Having a blurry vision
  • Numbness or tingling of hands or feet
  • Feel very tired
  • Slow healing wounds

Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is known to have a substantial hereditary component, meaning it runs in families. Your chances of getting this disease increase considerably if you have a parent, brother, or sister who has it. Apart from your family history, the below factors highly increase your risk of getting type 2 diabetes:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Prediabetes
  • Unhealthy food habits
  • High alcohol intake
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Being obese or overweight
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Diabetes complications

Diabetics are at a higher risk of having a variety of major health conditions. High blood glucose levels over time can lead to significant disorders of the heart and blood vessels, as well as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and teeth. In addition, people with diabetes are more likely to contract infections. Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular illness, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation too. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly to help delay or prevent diabetic complications. Here are the most common health complications seen in diabetics:

  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetic nephropathy
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Diabetic foot disease

Preventive Diabetes care

You may be able to avoid or delay the onset of diabetes if you are at risk. Making healthy lifestyle changes on time will help reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Here are some of the recommended preventive measures:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Follow a healthy diet plan
  • Exercise regularly
  • Quit smoking
  • Monitor your health numbers
  • Know your risk

Diabetes care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can lead to serious complications if not treated effectively by a specialist. Consult highly trained and experienced doctors at our Centre for Diabetes and Bariatric Surgery for a multidisciplinary approach. Our team helps you learn everything you need to know about diabetes prevention, care, treatment, and management. From diagnosis to diet plan to obesity management our doctors look into everything. Although there is currently no treatment for diabetes, regulating your blood sugar levels can help you live a healthier life. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related complications. Please find below our website details for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_diabetesbariatricsurgery.html

World Diabetes Day

Friday, November 13th, 2020

Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia). As per a report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the prevalence of diabetes in India has been recorded at 11.8%. India is home to an estimated 72.96 million diabetic adults. Also called the diabetes capital of the world, this sugar disease is posing an enormous health challenge for our country. Medical experts suggest that awareness, timely detection, and right management can help patients lead a normal life.

Types of Diabetes

There are mainly three types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Certain uncontrollable factors like genetics and some viruses may contribute to type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults too.
  • Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity. This is the most common form of diabetes and is largely preventable. 9 in 10 cases of type 2 diabetes could be avoided by following simple lifestyle changes. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to chronically high blood glucose levels, causing several symptoms and potentially leading to serious complications.
  • Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia that is first recognized during pregnancy. It can lead to serious health risks for both the mother and child and needs close monitoring by a health expert.

Symptoms of Diabetes
The most common symptoms used to identify diabetes include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Excessive hunger
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth

If you see any of the above symptoms, get your blood sugar levels checked or consult a doctor for further assessment.

Diabetes complications
Uncontrolled blood sugar levels may lead to serious long-term problems affecting the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, feet, and nerves. These include:

  • Eyes – It is recommended that people with diabetes see an eye doctor every year for an eye exam. Eye problems that can occur with diabetes include cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy. Left untreated it may also lead to vision loss.
  • Kidneys – It is important to get your urine tested for protein at least once a year. Protein in the urine is a sign of kidney disease. Prompt treatment may slow the changes with kidney disease.
  • Heart and brain – All people with diabetes have an increased chance of heart disease and strokes. Heart disease is the major cause of death in people with diabetes. It is important to control other risks such as high blood pressure and high fats (cholesterol), as well as blood sugar.
  • Feet – High blood sugar levels can cause skin infections in the foot and leads to slow healing of sores. You can experience severe pain, itching, or experience numbness too. Left untreated, diabetic foot infections may lead to amputation of the toes, foot, or leg.
  • Neuropathy – Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that results in damage to the nervous system. It is a progressive disease, and symptoms get worse over time.

Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes

Healthy eating and physical activity could help prevent 90% of Type 2 Diabetes cases. Here is what you can do to reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes:

  • Cut sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • Watch your portion size
  • Include fibre in your diet
  • Exercise regularly
  • Drink enough water
  • Quit smoking
  • Sleep well
  • Manage stress levels
  • Be regular with health checkups

Diabetes care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Worried about your fluctuating blood sugar levels? Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are the most important risk factors responsible for diabetes. It is possible to reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle changes that favour a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Specialists from our Department of Nutrition Therapy can help you with a personalised diet plan. However, certain medical conditions make weight loss difficult and require further intervention.

The Centre for Diabetes and Obesity is equipped with advanced technology and a talented team of experts to help fight obesity and manage diabetes better. For more information, please visit:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_diabetesbariatricsurgery.html

Diabetes, the New Epidemic

Friday, November 10th, 2017
What is Diabetes?

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body is unable to break down sugar (glucose) in the blood. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or when we cannot use the insulin made by the pancreas properly.  This leads to an increase in blood glucose levels and causes diabetes.

There are Three Different Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes:

This type occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, typically due to death of the beta cells in the pancreas from an autoimmune reaction. Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and adolescents. This can cause people to have too much glucose in the blood or hyperglycaemia. This affects 10% of the people.

Type 2 Diabetes:

This type occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin produced. It develops in adulthood, although levels are increasing in children due to obesity, which is a risk factor for diabetes. Approximately 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational Diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. This type may increase future risk of developing diabetes for both the mother and child.

Some common diabetes symptoms:

Frequent urination, frequent thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, weakness, increased hunger, headaches, skin infections, slow healing, and numbness in feet.

Some Diabetes Risk factors:
WHAT YOU CAN’T CHANGE WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Ethnicity
  • Have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Had gestational diabetes
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having an unbalanced diet high in fat, refined and processed foods.
  • Living a sedentary lifestyle
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking
Prediabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as full-blown diabetes. If you have pre-diabetes, you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and also are at increased risk of developing heart disease. Those with pre-diabetes are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes within a decade unless they adopt a healthier lifestyle that includes weight loss and more physical activity.

Some Diabetes facts:
  1. About one third of all people with diabetes do not know they have the disease.
  2. A meal plan for a person with diabetes isn’t very different than that which is recommended for people without diabetes.
  3. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults.
  4. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease than someone without diabetes.
  5. Good control of diabetes significantly reduces the risk of developing complications and prevents complications from getting worse.
  6. There is an emerging global epidemic of diabetes that can be traced back to rapid increases in overweight, obesity and physical inactivity.
  7. Total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50% in the next 10 years. Most notably, they are projected to increase by over 80% in upper-middle income countries.
  8. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production and type 2 diabetes results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin.
  9. Lack of awareness about diabetes, combined with insufficient access to health services, can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure.
  10. Reports of type 2 diabetes in children – previously rare – have increased globally.

Some tips for living healthy with diabetes:

  • When you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you need to be very aware of not only what you eat, but also when and how much you eat. Following a healthy meal plan is essential.
  • Controlling intake of saturated and trans fat is also important. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, so controlling and maintaining a healthy weight is vital for diabetes control.
  • Keep your blood sugar meter handy and accessible. It is important to keep it with you at all times to measure blood sugar levels periodically.
  • It’s essential to keep fast acting carbs close and nearby like honey, parle G biscuit or a candy. It will be helpful when your sugar levels go low.
  • Physical activity is an important part of controlling diabetes and preventing complications such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Try for 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, on most days.
  • Your doctor may give you oral medication to help control your blood glucose levels. For people with type 1 diabetes (and some people with type 2 diabetes) this means taking insulin.

Diabetes is a challenging disease. No matter if you have the same exact blood sugar, eat the same exact number of carbs and participate in the same amount of activity, you will still have a different blood sugar number when it’s all said and done. Try your best to lead a healthy lifestyle. Do consult our health experts for all your diabetes queries, please find link below:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/endocrinologydiabetes/diabeticclinic.html

A Guide to Healthy Living

Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

There are around 33 million people with diabetes – mostly type 2. However, only 12-14% of all the patients get treated. Therefore, it is very important to create awareness as only correct information will help in better control and management of diabetes.

PEOPLE AT RISK

  • Obesity
  • Sedentary Lifestyle
  • Unhealthy Eating Habits
  • Family History and Genetics
  • Increased Age
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • History of Gestational Diabetes

Managing Diabetes

 While highly manageable, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may cause severe damage to health of an individual if not managed properly. People with either type of diabetes are at risk of damage to their eyes, kidneys and feet with advancing age. However, the risk of developing these complications can be greatly reduced with good control of blood glucose.

For most people, type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Due to the natural development of the condition, many people with type 2 diabetes eventually require insulin treatment. If insulin is started early enough, many of the serious complications may be avoided.

Besides medications, a well charted diet and planned exercise regime plays a significant role in normalisation of the blood glucose levels. Also, people with diabetes should have regular checks of their blood glucose levels, blood pressure, eyes, feet, kidneys and heart so that any change can be detected and treated well in time.

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