DIABETES
November 14th was WORLD DIABETES DAY.
What is diabetes:
Its having higher level of glucose in your blood than your body can handle. But its not a simple case of eating too much sugar.
Glucose is our main source of energy. We get glucose from breakdown of carbohydrates(rice,potatoes,pasta/noodles,bread,cakes,fruits n veg)
How do you get diabetes:
Essentially diabetes occurs when there’s a breakdown in transfer of glucose from the blood into the cells. Insulin, a hormone(chemical) produced by the pancreas is needed for balanced uptake of glucose into the cells. Essentially, it acts as gatekeeper. When blood glucose levels are high, insulin promotes cell uptake. Lack of insulin from reduced production or ineffective insulin(insulin resistance) effectively result in decreased glucose in the cells and excessive amounts in the blood. This imbalance results in the following symptoms:
Symptoms:
Lethargy: from lack of glucose in the cells
Frequent urination: The kidneys try to remove the excess blood glucose
Frequent thirst: a feedback of frequent passing of urine.
Frequent eating: from sensation of lethargy
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Types of Diabetes:
Type 1: Juvenile onset,age<20.
Type 2: Usually age >40,obese.But inceasingly,younger ppl getting too.Lifestyle related.More common
Gestational: in pregnancy
Who’s at risk
:
Obese,inactive
Those with strong family history(parents,siblings)
Ladies who had diabetes during pregnancy
When to test:
When you develop the above symptoms
High BMI(body mass index)
Family history
Personal history of gestational diabetes.
Other chronic illnesses:high cholesterol,high blood pressure
Age above 40.
How to test:
1) Random glucose test: 2 non fasting blood samples are taken on two separate occasions. A value of above 11.1mmol/l is a diagnosis of diabetes
2) Fasting glucose: After fasting overnight, a single blood sample is taken. A value of more than 7.0 mmol/l is diagnostic of diabetes.
3) Should the above 2 tests not be conclusive,then the following test would be done: glucose tolerance test. After fasting overnight,a blood sample is taken.Then the patient is asked to drink a standard glucose drink with 75g of glucose.Blood test is repeated 2 hrs later.
2hr levels above 11.1 mmol is positive for diabetes.
Levels less than 7.8 mmols is normal.
Equivocal levels indicate impaired glucose tolerance.
