by Mark Sanchez
Diabetes has gained the mark of the first lifestyle disease that is present in a number of individuals of all ages throughout the world. Although obesity and high blood pressure cannot be counted out, ultimately they all are inter-related to stress and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes comes in two forms- Type 1, and Type 2. The Type 1 Diabetes usually occurs in young children or adults before the age of 30. This is considered as an autoimmune disease, wherein your immune system has destroyed the cell that aids in the production of insulin.
Mostly affecting the adolescents, it sometimes causes a catastrophic onset and medical emergencies. Individuals often experience, excessive thirst, frequent urination, hunger, weight loss and sometimes even vomiting.
Type 2 diabetes on the other hand, sets in generally after the age of 40. In this case, either the body doesn’t produce sufficient insulin or the body is resistant to its effect in turn affecting the normal glucose level. This type is associated with long term health issues related to kidney, eyes and heart.
Some of the major factors leading to early-age diabetes can be family history of the individual, lifestyle, environmental factors, and diet.
Do Not Count Yourself Out of Risk If There Are No Symptoms
So, if you are over 30 and have no sign of diabetes as stated above, do not count yourself out of the risk. Often, it shows no symptom except lethargy, anxiety, and tiredness. Other common complications or underlying diseases associated with type 2 diabetes include:
• Blurred Vision
• Night Urination
• Delayed healing
• Fatigue
• Numbness in Feet or hands
Anyone with sedentary lifestyle, low activity, history of diabetes in your family and age above 40 should go for a medical screening or glucose test. Those with blood glucose level higher than normal but below the level that can be termed as diabetes is called as “Pre-Diabetic”.
What is Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-Diabetes is a preventive stage and often a signal for people to correct their habits or change the diet that may lead to full–fledged type 2 diabetes in the near future. Testing can be done for pre-diabetes or risk of diabetes if:
• Individual is obese
• Has family history of diabetes, or siblings diagnosed with diabetes
• History of cardiac disorder
• Lifestyle with low activity
• The individual had gestational diabetes
• Birth weight was more than 9 pounds
• Impaired glucose tolerance
• Insulin resistance
• High blood pressure or
• High level of blood cholesterol
Checking for pre-diabetes is a must once you attain an age of 40 and have any one or more of the signs above. This stage is said to be the preventable step towards diabetes.
The Type 1 diabetes is still not preventable but needs diet moderation, correction of lifestyle and frequent shots of insulin along with precautions for longer life minus systemic complications. Detecting diabetes at an early age or at Pre-Diabetic stage is quite fruitful in the long run.
What if you are At Risk of Diabetes?
Stress will certainly aggravate the diabetic condition. Therefore, the patient must take it easy and follow some basic lifestyle changes and visit the doctor for medications for the related caused of Type 2 Diabetes.
To decrease the risk of Diabetes:
• Reduce the body weight and maintain it
• Follow healthy food habits with lots of veggies
• Exercises and physical activity must be followed in a routine
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under check.
• Consume less salt (sodium) and alcohol
• Start an exercise program and maintain it
• Limit your fat intake and reduce calories
Since the prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, it is advisable to get an early screening. Regular health check-up can help you follow up on your diet and make necessary lifestyle alterations.
Further systemic complications and emergencies can be prevented if the patients at pre-diabetic stage or early diabetic stage get counselling for this disorder.
(Mark Sanchez is an experienced writer and has been writing on various topics like diabetes, weight loss, nutrition, fitness, beauty, skin care, travel, fishing and more. He is also a regular contributor in Dailychump.org.)
Be the first to comment