Type 2 Diabetes - Slideshow

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that impairs the body's natural ability to convert sugar into energy.

The disease can affect people of all age groups and is increasingly affecting young adults and children.
Dynamics

Normally after a meal, food is broken down into glucose, a sugar, which is carried by the blood to all the cells where the pancreatic hormone, insulin, transforms it into energy.

In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin is not adequately used in the cells of the muscles, liver, and fat tissues.This leads to an accumulation of sugar in the blood.
Symptoms

The early symptoms of diabetes are very subtle, if present.

About a third of the people who have diabetes are hardly aware that they have the disease.
Warning Signs
Increased thirst / Dry mouth

Increased appetite

Unusual weight gain / loss

Fatigue

Headaches / Blurred vision

Frequent urination

Frequent or slow-healing infections

Itchy skin in the groin area
Non - Modifiable Risk Factors

Age - 45 years and above

Ethnicity- Black American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian

Genetics - Family history of diabetes
Modifiable Risk Factors

Sedentary lifestyle

Body Mass Index (BMI) > 25

Good cholesterol (HDL) < 35mg/dl

Triglycerides > 250mg/dl

High BP in adults > 140/90
Diagnosis

After the person has fasted for eight hours a simple blood test is done to detect 'fasting plasma glucose'. This is the best diagnostic test for diabetes.

In a person without diabetes, the fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL

If two tests done separately show values greater than normal, then diabetes is confirmed.
Complications
When a person has diabetes there is an accumulation of sugar in the blood which can lead to severe complications.

Eye - retinopathy and blindness

Nerves - weakness

Feet - nerve damage/foot sore/gangrene

Heart Attack / stroke

Kidney disease / failure
Management

Controlled and monitored low-carbohydrate diet

Regular exercises for 30 minutes daily

Medications to control blood sugar

Insulin administration, in some cases
Prevention
It may be reassuring to know that type 2 diabetes is preventable by making a few lifestyle changes

Go for screening if you belong to the increased - risk group

Eat a balanced and healthy diet

Exercise regularly

Avoid being sedentary and always maintain optimal weight

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Type 2 Diabetes - Slideshow

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