Diabetes is one of the many serious diseases that have become very common because of genetics and busy unhealthy lifestyle. It is a disease that may stay with a person for the rest of his life and worsen one’s quality of life. If not managed properly, diabetes can cause a buildup of sugars in the blood, increasing the risk of dangerous complications such as stroke and cardiovascular disease. Keeping this in mind, the experts at Magna Centre, the best diabetes centre in Hyderabad, discuss every aspect of diabetes in this blog.
This article talks about how with very simple tips and a combination of effective medical treatment, diabetes can be managed at home. It also talks about the root causes and possible complications of diabetes.
But before getting into further details, let's understand what diabetes is?
What is Diabetes - Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is defined as an excess of sugar in the blood. This condition arises when insulin's function is disrupted. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which aids in converting glucose into energy. When its function is disrupted, glucose remains in the blood instead of being converted into energy, and when the glucose level in the blood begins to rise, it leads to diabetes.
There are three types of diabetes, which are described below :
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. As a result, no insulin is produced. The patient is given insulin injections in this situation.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the amount of insulin in the body decreases or the body cannot properly use insulin. This is the most common type of diabetes, and it can strike anyone at any age.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes is sometimes more visible during pregnancy.
As type 2 diabetes is the most common form, in this article, we will focus on the causes and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Several factors can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. These are:
- Obesity
- No or decreased physical activity
- Insulin resistance (function of insulin gets disrupted)
- It can be genetic.
Apart from these, some risk factors may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, which are:
- If a person has prediabetes, their blood sugar level is already high but not enough to be called diabetes.
- Overweight
- Age older than 40 or 45
- If a family member has type 2 diabetes
- A woman who has had gestational diabetes.
- Women suffering from PCOD
- High cholesterol levels
- Smokers and drinkers
- People with irregular lifestyles like shift jobs
- A person with a poor sleep cycle
- A person suffering from stress or other mental disorders
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Along with understanding the causes, It is also important to know about the symptoms of diabetes. These are mentioned below:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling in feet or hands
- Slow wound healing
- Weight loss/weight gain
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
High blood sugar levels can affect major organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
Diabetes complications and frequent comorbidities include:
- Heart problems: One with diabetes is at high risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. It can also damage the heart's nerves, which can cause irregular heartbeats.
- Nerve damage: Type 2 diabetes can also damage the digestive system's nerves, resulting in nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation. In men, it may also cause nerve damage leading to erectile dysfunction.
- Kidney failure: Diabetes can cause chronic kidney disease or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- ET problems: One who has diabetes is also at risk of serious eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma, and it can damage the blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to blindness. Hearing is also impaired in most diabetes patients.
- Skin problems: Diabetes can make you more prone to skin problems such as bacterial and fungal infections. Any cuts and blisters, if left untreated, can develop into serious infections that heal slowly. The body of one who has type 2 diabetes also takes time to heal.
- Obstructive sleep apnea: If the cause of high blood sugar is obesity, then there is a high chance that the patient is also suffering from sleep apnea, which is common in type 2 diabetes patients.
Medical Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Doctors at Magna Centre are experts at treating type 2 diabetes, which is why Magna is considered the best diabetes centre in Hyderabad. They focus on treating diabetes via two methods, which are:
- Medication
- Lifestyle treatment
Let's first discuss the medical treatments available for diabetes.
Five major types of oral medications are used to treat type 2 diabetes. The properties of each drug could be different than each of these medication classes, but they would act similarly within each class of medication. These are:
- Bigua-nide
- DPP 4 inhibitors
- Pioglit-azone
- SGLT 2 Inhibitor
- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
- Sulp-hony-lureas
Lifestyle Tips to Manage Type 2 Diabetes at Home
At home, diabetes can be managed by checking two aspects. These are - Diet and physical activity.
- Diet: A healthy diet may help in the management of blood sugar levels by regulating one's calorie intake. This helps in controlling body weight, which ultimately reduces blood sugar levels.
Here is what one should and should not include in their diet to achieve a healthy weight.
What to eat? | What not to eat? |
Green vegetables like – broccoli, carrot, chilli, tomato, potato, green peas, and corn. | Avoid sugary, fried, or fatty foods. |
Fruits like – apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, and berries. | Avoid a high sodium diet in sugar. |
Oats, Rice, Barley, Bread, Pasta. | Avoid sugary sweet foods like ice cream, candy, or bakery foods. |
Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon. | Avoid sugar in sugary beverages like – cold drinks, energy drinks, soda, or juice. |
Chicken and egg | Avoid fried foods like french fries, fried chicken, and potato chips. |
Low-fat milk and yoghourt | Avoid chips, pretzels, crackers, and cookies. |
Nuts and seeds | Avoid full-fat dairy products. |
NOTE: These food items are only for sample purposes and may vary according to the cause of diabetes for each patient. Therefore, it is advised to consult a specialist in the field before starting any diet.
- Physical Activity: Physical activity will help in weight management, which is one of the root causes of type 2 diabetes. Experts suggest indulging in medium to high-intensity workouts for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
A strength training program under a personal trainer is suggested for patients suffering from very high blood sugar levels.
The bottom line is that by treating diabetes at the right time, the risk of other diseases can also be avoided. Therefore, pay attention to the symptoms of blood sugar at the right time and consult the doctor in case of any fluctuations. Apart from this, do not skip the medications prescribed by the doctor and follow a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Visit Magna Centre in case of complications and get the most effective type 2 diabetes treatment in Hyderabad.
