Q: What is Diabetes?
It is a disease characterized by elevated blood sugar values because of either insufficient production of insulin in the body or because of insulin not being able to have its effect or both of these defects in varying proportions.
Q: What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Classically, people with increased blood sugar values will have increased urination,increased thirst,feeling hungry all the time,weight loss, fatigue, weakness, increased skin infections especially involving private parts. But it is to be noted that these symptoms come when blood sugar is very high. People with mild or moderate elevation of blood sugar may have no complaints at all. So many times people are diabetic for many years before they are diagnosed. But even during this period, when people have no problems, the increased blood sugar starts its harmful effects on eyes, heart, kidneys, feet.
Q: What are the different types of diabetes?
Broadly,there are three different types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes: Usually occurs in children because of destruction of pancreas following some viral infection. In this type of diabetes, no insulin is produced in the body , so its treatment is only by giving insulin injections. It must be stressed that patients of type 1 diabetes can not survive without insulin injections.
Type 2 Diabetes: Usually starts in adults but increasingly adolescents are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In this type of diabetes, insulin is usually produced in sufficient amounts, at least in initial years. But this insulin is not able to produce its effect (a condition labeled as insulin resistance). Insulin resistance can be reduced by physical exercise, by reducing weight and also by taking some oral medications. These patients also need insulin injections for control of their blood sugar at various stages in life.
Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes occuring in pregnant women. It should be treated aggressively right from the beginning using insulin injections. Uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy carries increased risk to the mother as well as the child.
Type 1 Diabetes: Usually occurs in children because of destruction of pancreas following some viral infection. In this type of diabetes, no insulin is produced in the body , so its treatment is only by giving insulin injections. It must be stressed that patients of type 1 diabetes can not survive without insulin injections.
Type 2 Diabetes: Usually starts in adults but increasingly adolescents are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In this type of diabetes, insulin is usually produced in sufficient amounts, at least in initial years. But this insulin is not able to produce its effect (a condition labeled as insulin resistance). Insulin resistance can be reduced by physical exercise, by reducing weight and also by taking some oral medications. These patients also need insulin injections for control of their blood sugar at various stages in life.
Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes occuring in pregnant women. It should be treated aggressively right from the beginning using insulin injections. Uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy carries increased risk to the mother as well as the child.
Q : Why does diabetes occur?
For the purpose of answering this question for public at large (non-academic purpose) it will be right to say that there are no specific reasons for Type 1 Diabetes to occur. To put it simply, a person getting a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes can not really pinpoint anything responsible for his condition. It is frustrating but true.
However, there are specific identifiable risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. Heredity plays a strong role. To understand this, lets take an example of two friends. Both are same age,have similar dietary, work, physical activities. One of the friends has a diabetic parent and the other one does not. So, inspite of similar habits and even similar body structure, the friend with a diabetic parent has greater risk of developing diabetes. So what do you do? Change your parents? Well... That is not possible. Heredity is a non-modifiable risk factor. So does that mean that if you are born to a diabetic parent,you are doomed to become a diabetic? Fortunately, it is not so. Environment acts upon heredity to make a person a diabetic. To explain this, lets talk about two real brothers with diabetic parents . One of the brothers is fond of fatty meals, sugary beverages and fast food. He hates to exercise. No need to say that he is also obese. The other brother is exact opposite; he likes fibre-rich foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and wholegrains. He is regular at gym. He maintains a healthy body weight. The second brother has less chance of developing diabetes as compared to his obese sibling.
However, there are specific identifiable risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. Heredity plays a strong role. To understand this, lets take an example of two friends. Both are same age,have similar dietary, work, physical activities. One of the friends has a diabetic parent and the other one does not. So, inspite of similar habits and even similar body structure, the friend with a diabetic parent has greater risk of developing diabetes. So what do you do? Change your parents? Well... That is not possible. Heredity is a non-modifiable risk factor. So does that mean that if you are born to a diabetic parent,you are doomed to become a diabetic? Fortunately, it is not so. Environment acts upon heredity to make a person a diabetic. To explain this, lets talk about two real brothers with diabetic parents . One of the brothers is fond of fatty meals, sugary beverages and fast food. He hates to exercise. No need to say that he is also obese. The other brother is exact opposite; he likes fibre-rich foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and wholegrains. He is regular at gym. He maintains a healthy body weight. The second brother has less chance of developing diabetes as compared to his obese sibling.
What are the dietary precautions needed in Diabetes ?
Diet of a Diabetic does not differ much from that of any healthy individual who wants to stay fit. Simple , Direct sugars should be avoided. Say NO to sweetened beverages ( Coke, Pepsi etc.). If you are visiting some friend , don't hesitate to say NO. Polite but Firm. No to sugar in tea / coffee . You can add low calorie sweetener like Sucralose or Aspartame if you want ( Popular brands in India are Sugarfree , Sweetex , Zero ). But it is very easy to get used to taste of unsweetened tea/coffee also. In fact you will discover real great taste of tea/coffee if you don't add sugar. Avoid sweet cakes ,pastries,biscuits , Mithai etc. Avoid Jaggery ( Gur)
Avoid excessive fats in diet. Don't apply any oil/butter/ghee to chapati (Indian Bread). Parantha (stuffed roti) can be taken without frying. Low fat milk should be preferred over regular milk. Fat should be skimmed off milk after boiling it.Avoid fried articles like samosa,kachori , Puri etc.
Take foods with high fiber content. Fresh vegetables are excellent source of fiber.They can be consumed as salad . It is better to consume salad before main meal. If fruits are consumed unpeeled, their ability to raise blood sugar is blunted. Because peel of fruits contains fiber. In fact God made fruits to be consumed as whole unpeeled and not as juice. Fibre content of flour (Atta) can be increased by adding gram-flour ( Chane ka Atta ) or Soya flour or even by adding bran to it. Similarly instead of white rice if brown rice is consumed , it is lot less capable of raising blood sugar. Dry fruits like almonds ( Badaam) and walnuts ( Akhrot) have high fiber content and can be consumed safely. These dry fruits are rich in heart-friendly fats.
Fruits which can be taken safely in Diabetes : Papaya ,citrus fruits like orange , mosammi, apple, guava, pear.
Alcohol should be taken in moderation only if at all. That means not more than two small drinks per day for men and not more than one small drink for women.
Avoid excessive fats in diet. Don't apply any oil/butter/ghee to chapati (Indian Bread). Parantha (stuffed roti) can be taken without frying. Low fat milk should be preferred over regular milk. Fat should be skimmed off milk after boiling it.Avoid fried articles like samosa,kachori , Puri etc.
Take foods with high fiber content. Fresh vegetables are excellent source of fiber.They can be consumed as salad . It is better to consume salad before main meal. If fruits are consumed unpeeled, their ability to raise blood sugar is blunted. Because peel of fruits contains fiber. In fact God made fruits to be consumed as whole unpeeled and not as juice. Fibre content of flour (Atta) can be increased by adding gram-flour ( Chane ka Atta ) or Soya flour or even by adding bran to it. Similarly instead of white rice if brown rice is consumed , it is lot less capable of raising blood sugar. Dry fruits like almonds ( Badaam) and walnuts ( Akhrot) have high fiber content and can be consumed safely. These dry fruits are rich in heart-friendly fats.
Fruits which can be taken safely in Diabetes : Papaya ,citrus fruits like orange , mosammi, apple, guava, pear.
Alcohol should be taken in moderation only if at all. That means not more than two small drinks per day for men and not more than one small drink for women.
