About Diabetes
Diabetes: An Introduction
Nowadays, diseases like diabetes have become common in every big and small city. Until a few years ago, such diseases used to happen only to people of a certain class or age, but due to the modern lifestyle of metropolitan cities and their lifestyle, food, and drink, the amount of sugar in diabetic patients is not controlled. This problem is detected when this disease takes a serious form.
Diabetes itself is the root of many more serious diseases and complications; the most powerful weapon to fight it is information about it and positive changes in lifestyle. It is also true that a good life can be lived even with diabetes. Just be aware and take the right steps. Let us all try to understand diabetes together and make our future better with diabetes.
Dr. Sandeep Saraf, MD, Physician, Diabetologist
What is diabetes?
Between our stomach and spinal cord, there is a gland called the pancreas, which makes a hormone called insulin. Insulin controls the amount of glucose (or sugar) in our blood. Our body makes glucose from the food we eat so that our body can get energy, but it needs insulin to do this work.When the amount of insulin in the body decreases or the efficiency of insulin decreases, the amount of sugar in the blood, i.e., the blood glucose level, increases. This condition of the body is called diabetes.
Types Of Diabetes
Diabetes is mainly of the following types –
1. Type 1 Diabetes : It is usually detected in childhood or adolescence and occurs when the pancreas cannot produce insulin. About 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. The causes of type 1 diabetes are still unknown, but we do know that it is not preventable and that it is not caused by eating too much sugar. Insulin is essential for all people with type 1 diabetes.
2. Type 2 Diabetes : The remaining 90 percent have type 2 diabetes, in which the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not use insulin effectively. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adulthood, although an increasing number of children in high-risk population groups are also being diagnosed with it. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by adopting lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy and being physically active. Diabetes medicines or insulin are also necessary.
3. Gestational Diabetes : It is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, she and her baby are at increased risk of developing diabetes in the future. It is often detected during the last 5–6 months of pregnancy. It is not treated with pills. It is controlled by a balanced diet, proper exercise, and insulin.
4. Impaired Glucose Tolerance : In this group of people, the amount of sugar in the blood is higher than normal, but not so much that it should be kept in the category of diabetes. Patients in this category need to take special care of themselves because this condition later takes the form of diabetes.
5. Genetic Diabetes : Diabetes occurs in some hereditary diseases. Such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Alstrom syndrome, etc.
6. Secondary Diabetes : Generally, pancreas disease, virus infection, and some medicines like cortisone, thiazide urine pills, contraceptive medicines, and some hormones increase the amount of sugar in the blood.
Frequently asked Questions
1. Is it necessary for every patient with type 2 diabetes to take medicine?
There is no need for immediate medication when diabetes is diagnosed for the first time. Because a healthy, balanced diet, exercise, and weight loss can lower your blood glucose levels, If there is no benefit from doing this, then, along with the progress of the disease, you may need medicine.
2. What if I forget to take a dose of my medicine?
It is very important for you to take the medicine regularly as per the instructions of the doctor, but if you ever forget to take the dose of the medicine, never take its double dose. For this, you can take the advice of your doctor.
3. Can I change the timing of my medicine?
You cannot change the time of taking your medicine. Every medicine has its own effect/effects and hence it should be taken at its prescribed time.
4. If the goal is achieved, can the medicine or insulin be stopped completely?
Medicines are used to control the glucose level in the blood of a diabetic patient.It is not the treatment of the real cause of diabetes present in the body. However, by changing the lifestyle or habits, the dose of Tommy medicines can be changed and sometimes it can also be recommended to stop them completely, but this should be done only under the advice and supervision of the doctor.
5. I get swelling on the skin after injections. Is it the opposite effect of insulin?
If you don’t inject insulin correctly, or if you inject in the same spot over and over again, you can get swelling. This is not the opposite effect, you should learn to take injections properly.
6. What will happen if insulin is not kept in a cool place?
If insulin is kept for a long time at a temperature higher or lower than the recommended temperature, its potency or strength is reduced. Insulin loses its efficiency and does not return. This also affects the quality of insulin.