Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder where the body doesn’t produce insulin or use it efficiently. According to the type, the underlying cause of diabetes varies. Diabetes can lead to excess sugar in your blood, which can lead to many health problems.

Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are the two chronic diabetes conditions.

Symptoms

Depending on blood sugar levels diabetes symptoms vary. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to be more severe and come on quickly.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Presence of ketones in the urine
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Slow-healing sores
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections, such as vaginal infections and gums or skin infections

Though Type 1 diabetes often appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop at any age. The more common type, Type 2 diabetes, can develop at any age, but it’s more common in people older than 40.

Risk factors

Depend on the type of diabetes risk factors vary.

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:

• Family history
• Environmental factors
• The presence of autoantibodies

Why some people develop pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes and others don’t is still not known to researchers. But certain factors increase the risk. They are:

• Weight
• Inactivity
• Family history
• Race (Hispanics, black people, American Indians, and Asian-Americans are at higher risk)
• Age
• Gestational diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal triglyceride and cholesterol levels

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you notice any possible diabetes symptoms. You will be able to begin the treatment soon if the condition is diagnosed earlier.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes, you'll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar levels stabilize.

Prevention

Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented. However, the same healthy lifestyle choices that help treat type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes can also help prevent them:

Eat healthy foods. Choose foods lower in calories and fat, and higher in fiber. Focus on whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

To prevent boredom strive for variety.

Be more active. Work out at least 30 minutes every day. Take a brisk walk or ride your bike or go swimming.

Lose excess pounds. If you’re overweight, try to reduce weight.

Motivate yourself by remembering the benefits of losing weight, such as more energy, a healthier heart, and improved self-esteem.

Diabetes care at Kalpavriksham

Doctors at Kalpavriksham have expertise in treating people with all types of diabetes, even those with blood sugar that is hard to control. We have specialists who work together to create a customized treatment plan for you. The team may include a doctor, registered dietitian and diabetes educator who will keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible and will guide you. You will also have access to foot, kidney and eye specialists if the need arises.

For those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are receiving multiple daily injections, we have a comprehensive educational program. We cover a broad range of topics, including comprehensive dietary advice as well as the guidelines of insulin dose adjustment on normal days, on sick days, during exercise, and during special circumstances.

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