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Diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, an
organ at the top of the abdomen, behind the stomach. It occurs when the
pancreas stop functioning normally and is unable to produce enough
levels of insulin for the body. Insulin controls the amount of sugar
(glucose) in the blood and its rate of absorption. The human body needs
glucose to produce energy. However, for those who suffer from diabetes,
the glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being absorbed into
the cells. This leads to hyperglycemia - where there is a very high
level of glucose in the blood. Subsequently, it leads to damaged blood
vessels resulting in eye and cardiovascular complications, nerve damage
to the limbs and internal organs and even kidney failure.
What is Pre Diabetes ?
Pre diabetes occurs when the body's
glucose level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be
diagnosed as diabetes. Some individuals may face cardiovascular
complications even at this pre diabetes stage. Known as Impaired Glucose
Tolerance (IGT), those with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) have a 1 in
3 chance of developing Type II diabetes within 10 years and up to 16% of
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) patients progress to Type II diabetes
each year.
In patients with Impaired Glucose
Tolerance (IGT), a combination of exercise and weight reduction has been
shown to be the most effective method of reducing the risk of diabetes.
Therefore, exercise and weight reduction should be recommended for all
patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT). Currently, diabetes
experts do not recommend drugs as a treatment for Impaired Glucose
Tolerance (IGT), but this could change in future when more studies are
available.
Ways to treat Impaired Glucose
Tolerance (IGT)
Losing weight, opting for a healthier
diet and exercising will help those with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)
to prevent or delay its progression to diabetes and reduce the risk of
cardiovascular complications.
Types of diabetes
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Type I Diabetes - Also known as
Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), this type of diabetes
requires insulin treatment and is less common in Asians. It often
occurs in younger patients and can even affect young children. For
individuals with Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), insulin
produced by the body is either totally absent or severely reduced,
therefore they need external sources of insulin.
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Type II Diabetes - Type II
diabetes is extremely common worldwide. It often occurs in adults
and its prevalence increases with age. It is often associated with
obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and is more common in affluent
societies. Type II diabetes can be treated with a change in diet and
drugs. For more severe cases, some patients may still need insulin
treatment.
Symptoms of diabetes :
- fatigue
- increased urination
- hunger
- dizziness
- excessive sweating
- sudden weight loss
- blurred vision
- numbness of hands and feet
- skin infections
- slow healing ability
Genetics do play a part in the
development of diabetes. If you have a family history of diabetes, are
overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle, it is good to have your blood
glucose level regularly monitored. This can be done through a
urine-analysis or a simple blood test. Early detection is key to keep
diabetes under control and also to help prevent it. So it is crucial
that you go for regular health assessments if you suspect that you may
be in the high-risk group.
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