With over 11.4% diabetic patients & more than 15% prediabetic cases, India is considered the diabetes capital of the world. It’s high time for us to be very careful about our food & lifestyle choices. But why? Why do we need to be wary of this disease? Is it that severe?
More than 11 out of 100 global deaths are caused by diabetes, making it one of the world’s most fatal diseases. It can occur in anyone regardless of their age. Therefore, raising awareness about this metabolic condition among the masses is extremely important.
This write-up will walk you through all the vital information about prediabetes & diabetes. It also lets you know how you can manage your blood sugar levels effectively.
Table of Contents
What Does Prediabetic Mean?
It is the condition when a person has higher blood sugar levels than the normal range, but not as high as a diabetic person’s. It’s also called borderline diabetes. You can consider it a warning and take necessary steps to prevent diabetes from happening. Hence, it is also called the preventive stage of diabetes and only at this condition blood sugar levels can return to the normal range.
- Fasting blood sugar level in a normal person: ≤ 99 mg/dL
- Fasting blood sugar level in prediabetic patients: 100 – 125 mg/dL
- Fasting blood sugar level in diabetic patients: ≥ 126 mg/dL
What is Diabetes?
In a nutshell, the body’s inability to manage blood sugar levels to the normal range is considered diabetes. It occurs when our body becomes resistant to insulin.
The fasting glucose concentration in the human body is between 70 mg/dL and 99 mg/dL, which is considered normal. When the glucose concentration rises, the pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin, responsible for getting glucose into cells, liver, and muscles to be used for energy.
When a person has diabetes, their body doesn’t produce adequate or any insulin, or doesn’t use insulin properly, preventing glucose from reaching cells. Owing to which, blood sugar levels rise, creating a plethora of complications in the body. It is a very severe disease, which may lead a person to death!
Types of Diabetes
There are several types of diabetes, but the most common ones are Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes. The symptoms caused by this disease may vary from person to person depending on how high their blood sugar levels are, their age, lifestyle, and so forth.
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
In this condition, the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, causing no insulin production in the body. There’s no known reason for this medical condition, but many scientists believe that some genetics & environmental factors trigger this disease. It is an autoimmune disorder and is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)
In case of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the pancreas produces insulin, but it’s not sufficient enough to keep the blood sugar levels in the normal range. It is the most common type of diabetes and occurs in people with obesity or a family history of the disease.
Gestational Diabetes
This is the only type of diabetes that isn’t caused by a dearth of insulin. It occurs in pregnant women when hormones produced during this period reduce the efficacy of insulin. This diabetic condition is reversible and usually disappears after the delivery of the baby.
Vicious Cycle Between Diabetes & Depression
Diabetes and depression go hand in hand, making diabetic patients extremely vulnerable. But how? People with diabetes are in constant pain to manage their blood sugar levels, diet, medication, and lifestyle changes. Taking care of all these things everyday can be overwhelming, leading to emotional distress. People with this medical condition often experience energy fluctuation in their body, contributing to the feelings of hopelessness. It makes it extremely challenging for diabetic patients to stick to their treatment plans, leading to poor diabetes management. And this cycle of poor physical & mental health never ends, making people with diabetes more vulnerable & emotionally less resilient.
Complications Associated with Diabetes Mellitus
Increased sugar levels can cause a wide variety of complications in the body, including the following:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Damage to the nerve cells
- Bacterial and fungal infection to the skin & mouth
- Kidney damage
- Alzhimer’s disease
- Eye damage
- Hearing impairment
Can a Diabetic Patient Live a Normal Life?
Even if this metabolic disease is incurable, a diabetic person can indeed live a normal life by listening to their doctor and making some necessary lifestyle changes. What does it mean? It means there is no such thing like “Diabetes Reversal,” but taking control over your sugar consumption can help you live a life similar to that of a normal person. Remember, your day-to-day routine and what you eat play a prominent role in determining the amount of glucose in your body. If you take control of your life and strategically plan the food you consume, you can live a fulfilling life even with diabetes.
How to Manage Diabetes Efficaciously
- Workout at least 3 days a week: Remember, muscles are your real best friends. The more muscles you build, the fewer diabetes complications you face. Muscles can absorb sugar directly from the blood without the need for insulin. So, try to incorporate a workout regime in your daily life, lift weight and do adequate cardiovascular exercises if possible. It will help you get rid of bad cholesterol, which is the best way to cope with diabetes.
- Listen to your doctor: No one can give you better advice than your doctor. So, it’s always recommended to see your doctor and ask them what you should be doing to manage your sugar levels. Always follow your doctor’s advice because they know better. If they recommend you to take a low dose of aspirin every day, go for it. This will reduce the risk of you getting a heart attack and stroke.
- Monitor your body glucose: Keeping track of your blood sugar levels regularly is indispensable to plan your food and daily routine.
- Plan a protein rich diet: Dietary changes can prove to be a game changer. Avoid carbs and increase protein intake.
- Never skip your medication: Always take your medicines on time.
Incredible Diabetes Fact
Studies reveal that tailors who use traditional tailoring machines barely have diabetes. But how is it possible? Well, there’s a science behind it. Our legs include soleus muscles, also called calf muscles, which are extremely good at absorbing blood sugar.
Tailors with traditional tailoring machines consistently use their calf muscles to keep the machines running, leading to reducing blood sugar levels. Their continuous leg movements never let the pancreas take unnecessary stress to release too much insulin to control the sugar spike in the blood. Therefore, their body never becomes insulin resistant, keeping them immune from diabetes.
Final Words
Understanding how sugar levels fluctuate in our body is the ultimate way to cope with diabetes. Keeping track of how much protein you are consuming & your daily physical activity can significantly help you drop your blood sugar level down. If you are someone who finds it difficult to indulge in physical activities, you can fidget while sitting on your couch or office chair. It is a good exercise to reduce your blood sugar levels especially after a meal.
Living with diabetes is emotionally draining, so having someone by your side is very important to share how you feel. It can help you channelise your emotions & keep your mood light. So, find someone who you can talk to and consult with a doctor who is amiable and listens to you patiently. And that’s how you can live a fulfilling life even with diabetes. Have a low sugar day!
Stay Smart, Stay Healthy!
