The root cause of most of the disease is tension, stress and anxiety. Diabetes is also one such disease. It is seen in people of all age groups and genders. The normal sugar level of our body pre-meal is 70-110 mg and post meal is 110-140 mg. But if this level goes beyond 180 mg then sugar is released through urine. This should be treated in time otherwise the body becomes the home of various serious diseases.

Reasons of diabetes

1. Heredity is one of the reasons of diabetes. If both of the parents or one of the parents has diabetes then chances of occurrence of diabetes in the next generation is more. But if none of the parents has diabetes then also anyone can fall prey of this disease.
2. Consumption of fast food, junk food, bakery items, imbalanced and untimely diet, lack of exercise and sedentary work can cause obesity which can ultimately lead to diabetes.
3. Inflammation on pancreas and cancer also prevents the formation of insulin and the sugar level goes on increasing.
4. Excess stress, anxiety, tension, depression also causes adverse effects on the body. This is also one of the main reasons of diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes

Symptoms of diabetes

1. Fatigue:
   The diabetes makes the cells inefficient to metabolize glucose. Due to this the energy is gained in the body by metabolizing the reserved fats of the body. Fat requires more energy for breakdown as compared to glucose, which cause fatigue symptoms.
    
2. Polydipsia:
   Polydipsia means increased thirst. This happens because the concentration of glucose increases in the blood and the brain gets the signal for its dilution. The counteraction of this makes us feel thirsty.
    
3. Polyuria:
   Polyuria means frequent urination. The excess glucose in body increases urine formation. The extra sugar present in blood is excreted through urine and this causes dehydration because large amount of water is excreted through the body.
    
4. Polyphagia:
   Polyphagia means increased hunger. To manage the high sugar levels in blood, the body produces insulin which is responsible for hunger stimulation.
    
5. Weight fluctuation:
   Polyuria, fat and protein metabolism may cause weight loss. In some cases weight gain is also seen due to increased appetite.
    
6. Irritability:
   The inefficient glucose supply to the body organs makes us feel tired and uneasy.
    
7. Poor wound healing:
   High blood sugar cause decreased formation of white blood cells and improper blood supply due to thickening of blood vessels. This causes improper wound healing.
    
8. Diabetic retinopathy:
   
   Diabetic retinopathy is caused due to damage to blood vessels and tissues of eyes. This can lead to blurred vision and temporary blindness. It is caused due to certain type of gene. Hence a diabetic patient should annually undergo retina check-up.
    
9. Kidney failure:
   The diabetes also results in non-functioning of kidneys and excretion is prohibited from the body. Swelling appears on the body and infection occurs in kidney. This can lead finally to kidney failure.
   
   
10. Paralysis:
    The diabetes reduces the blood supply to the brain thus causing damage to the nerves that control the sensation. This can ultimately cause paralysis of the body.
    
    
11. Diabetic neuropathy:
    
    The diabetes may cause damage to nerves and veins. This is called as diabetic neuropathy. This leads to tingling and numbness of hand and feet. If the sugar level increases tremendously then the blood circulation decreases and the toes, feet and sometimes fingers becomes vulnerable to conditions causing gangrene.

Control over diabetes

In order to lead a normal life by controlling the diabetes, it is required to follow some regime. The patient’s will-power and participation is a must for recovering from the diabetes. Following four things should be done regularly in order to keep a check on diabetes.

1. Regular exercise
2. Balanced diet
3. Regular and timely medications
4. Regular medical tests as suggested by the doctors.

Diabetes and diet

1. A diabetic patient should always have a control on his diet. This will not only reduce the extent of medicines but also will prevent the body from other diseases. But if the diet is controlled then the medicines that are consumed proves inadequate and the doses of medicines have to be increased resulting in side effects.
2. In a balanced diet, the calories should be evenly distributed in every means. For this one has to eat in small amount four times a day. This will keep the patient’s weight ideal.
3. It is not necessary that a diabetic patient should have the same type of diet everyday. Once the calculation of balanced diet is managed properly then the food items can be replaced at regular intervals. He can eat all the items that the other family members have.
4. A diabetic patient should totally avoid fasting. Fasting causes changes in the chemical actions of the body and this may have adverse effects on diabetes.
5. Many times a diabetic person may feel hungry even after having a complete meal. At such time, very low calorie food should be consumed. This is called as free food and includes:
6. Salad: Tomato, cucumber, onion, carrot, radish etc.
7. Black tea
8. Soups
9. Lemon water.

Important components of a balanced diet

1. Carbohydrates
   Carbohydrates are the important energy providing components. The diet should contain 60% carbohydrates. They can be obtained from rice, chapatti, wheat flour, jowar, maize, rice, millets and ragi.
    
2. Proteins
   15% to 20% proteins should be present in the diet. They can be obtained from pulses, sprouted grains, milk, fish, and meat.
    
3. Fats
   Fats are found in oil, butter, groundnut, cashewnut and walnut. But these items should be taken in limit. Also spicy and oily foods should be avoided.
    
4. Fibers
   Fibers bring variety in the diet. It also controls the body sugar level. So fibers should be consumed regularly. They are found in large amounts in fruits. 10% - 15% are essential and can be obtained from a medium size fruit. Some fruits which have more calories like chickoo, banana should be avoided.

Diabetes and exercise

1. Regular exercise is an important part of diabetes treatment. Exercise causes metabolism of glucose and weight remains in control. It also improves blood circulation and the state of health is also improved. If diabetes is in control and the patient has no other disease then he can do any type of exercise. The doctors suggest some exercise depending upon age, weight and the type of diabetes the patient is suffering from.
2. Some common exercise includes:
3. Walking: It burns 3.6 calories are burnt per minute.
4. Cycling: It burns 4.5 calories per minute
5. Running: It burns 5 calories per minute.
6. Swimming: It burns 6 calories per minute.

A diabetic person should begin his exercise at a very slow speed and then gradually increase the speed. The rate of exercise should not be increased or decreased instantly. Exercise should be done regularly and at specific time.

A piece of lump sugar should be kept while exercising so that it can be used if the sugar level goes down. If the patient has very high sugar level then the exercise should be done only after consulting the doctor.

• Written by Gouri Dharmadhikari.
• In category Diseases.
• 12 years ago.

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