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Published on 16-9-2024
•7 min read
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Diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood sugar stays too high because the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it properly. In India, about 11.4% of adults have diabetes and 15.3% have prediabetes (ICMR-INDIAB, 2023). It can be managed with diet, activity, regular testing and, when needed, medicines prescribed by a doctor.
That adds up to an estimated 101 million people with diabetes and 136 million with prediabetes in India. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), India has the second-highest number of adults with diabetes in the world, after China. The IDF also estimates that diabetes or its complications caused about 6.7 million adult deaths worldwide in 2021, more than one in ten deaths from all causes among adults. Diabetes can affect people of any age, so knowing the signs matters. This guide covers the symptoms, types, tests, diet, medicines and complications of diabetes, and links to our detailed posts on each topic.
Prediabetes means blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be called diabetes. It is a warning stage. With lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet, more activity and weight loss where needed, many people can bring blood sugar back to the normal range and delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. Not everyone with prediabetes develops diabetes, and a doctor should confirm the diagnosis. Doctors use blood tests to tell normal blood sugar, prediabetes and diabetes apart. The ranges are:
| Test | Normal | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
| Fasting plasma glucose | Below 100 mg/dL | 100 to 125 mg/dL | 126 mg/dL or above |
| HbA1c | Below 5.7% | 5.7% to 6.4% | 6.5% or above |
| Blood sugar 2 hours after a 75 g glucose drink | Below 140 mg/dL | 140 to 199 mg/dL | 200 mg/dL or above |
IDiabetes mellitus is a long-term condition in which the body cannot keep blood sugar in the normal range. This happens either because the pancreas makes little or no insulin (as in type 1 diabetes) or because the body does not respond well to the insulin it makes (as in type 2 diabetes).
In a healthy person, fasting blood glucose is usually between 70 and 99 mg/dL. After a meal, glucose rises and the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that moves glucose from the blood into cells, the liver and muscles to be used for energy.
In diabetes, glucose cannot move into cells properly, so it builds up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and feet. With regular treatment and monitoring, most people with diabetes can lower these risks.
The three most common forms are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Less common forms include monogenic diabetes (such as MODY) and diabetes caused by other conditions or medicines. Symptoms vary from person to person.
| Type | Cause | Who it usually affects | Basic treatment |
| Type 1 | The immune system destroys insulin-making cells | Usually children and young adults, but any age | Insulin |
| Type 2 | The body resists insulin and eventually cannot make enough | Mostly adults, increasingly younger people | Lifestyle changes, medicines, sometimes insulin |
| Gestational | Pregnancy hormones reduce insulin action | Pregnant women | Diet, monitoring sometimes insulin. Usually resolves after delivery |
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, so the body makes little or no insulin. The exact cause is not fully understood; genes and environmental triggers are thought to play a part. It is an autoimmune condition and is most often diagnosed in children and young adults, though it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin to live.
In type 2 diabetes, the body does not respond well to insulin (insulin resistance) and, over time, the pancreas cannot make enough to keep up. It is the most common type. Risk factors include a family history of diabetes, excess weight (especially around the waist), low physical activity, increasing age and a history of gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy, when pregnancy hormones make the body less responsive to insulin and the pancreas cannot make enough to compensate. It is usually found through a blood sugar test during pregnancy and usually goes away after delivery. Women who have had it have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes later, so follow-up testing is advised.
Living with diabetes means managing blood sugar, food, medicines and checkups every day, which can be tiring. This is sometimes called diabetes distress. Diabetes is linked with a higher risk of depression, and low mood can make it harder to keep up with treatment, which can in turn affect blood sugar. If you feel low, hopeless or overwhelmed for more than a couple of weeks, talk to your doctor. Help is available and treatment works.
High blood sugar over many years can cause problem in different parts of the body, including:
Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in the range your doctor advises lowers these risks. Regular checks of the eyes, kidneys and feet help catch problems early, so ask your doctor how often you need them.
Diabetes is a long-term condition and there is no proven cure. But people with diabetes can live long, active lives by following their doctor’s advice, eating well, staying active, checking blood sugar and taking medicines as prescribed. Some people with type 2 diabetes can reach remission, meaning normal blood sugar without medicines, after significant weight loss, but this needs medical supervision and the diabetes can return. Be wary of anyone who promises a guaranteed cure or reversal.
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.
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!
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