Theme for 2007 World Diabetes day is “No Child should die of diabetes”. Main focus of this year’s diabetes day is on children due to increase in diabetes incidence in children and adolescents. United Nations is observing November 14 as World Diabetes Day from 2007 onwards. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is conducting global awareness campaign in association with World Health Organisation. Significance of November 14: November 14 is the birthday of Banting who discovered Insulin along with Best in 1921. Blue is the official color of World Diabetes Day. Diabetes statistics: 1. According to International Diabetes Federation, more than 0.4 million children (under 14 years) are suffering from diabetes. 2. Around 70 thousand new diabetes cases are diagnosing in children. 3. More than 240 million people are suffering from diabetes which is a chronic debilitating disease. 4. 80% of diabetic people belong to lower and middle classes contrary to popular opinion. 5. Around 0.4 million type 1 diabetes cases are in the world. 6. More than 50% of type 2 diabetes cases are preventable with simple measures like exercise, weight reduction and regular checkups. There should be more awareness campaigns on Diabetes throughout the year. … [Read more...]
Hypoglycemia in diabetic patients: causes and management
The normal blood sugar level is 80-120mg/100 ml of blood. When the blood sugar level goes below the normal range, the patient develops a condition, called ‘’Hypoglycemia”, which is a medical emergency, and if not attended promptly in time, there is every possibility of threat to patient’s life. Hypoglycemia Causes: If insulin is taken in excess amounts, more than the required dose, the patient develops hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level in the blood), which is a serious condition. Other causes of hypoglycemia: Taking less amount of food After heavy exercise. Signs and symptoms of Hypoglycemia: 1. Sudden giddiness 2. Unbearable appetite 3. Numbness around the lips 4. Sudden sweating all over the body 5. Palpitations in the heart 6. Shivering of hands and legs 7. Diminishing eyesight 8. Paleness all over the body 9. Feeling of gradual loss of consciousness (just like a drunkard). Management of Hypglycemic patient: Immediately, patient should take milk containing sugar or should eat banana speedily. They remain in the stomach for 3 hours and make the liver to release more glucose in to the blood. Most of the patients take glucose or biscuits at this time, but their effect last only for ½ an hour, and there is chance of occurring of hypoglycemia again. So, it is well and good to take milk or banana or any other fruit. Hence, it is always better to keep/carry some food item containing more carbohydrates along with them, at the time of taking insulin injection, either at home or during journey time. … [Read more...]
What is Glycemic Index?
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a scale that ranks carbohydrate –rich foods by how much they raise blood glucose levels compared to glucose, in the last 2-3hours. There is a lot of misunderstanding about the GI. Eating higher GI foods produces a rapid increase in blood glucose levels, triggering the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin causes the body to attempt to store excess glucose. If the digestive system pumps more glucose in to the blood stream, quicker than the insulin can move it into the muscles (or glucose stays more longer time in the blood), then the body will convert the excess glucose into fat. So, it is a good idea to know more about GI and better to choose foods with a low GI rating (than choosing foods with high GI). Uses of Glycemic Index: 1. To control your blood glucose levels. 2. To control your cholesterol levels. 3. Control your appetite. 4. Lower the risk of getting the heart disease. 5. Lower the risk of getting the type-2 diabetes. Choose the foods wisely: Try to choose low to medium GI foods more often (than high GI foods). 1. Foods of low rank are: GI of 55 or less. 2. Medium rank: GI of 56-69. 3. More rank: GI 70 or more. Other important diet considerations: The GI is not the only criteria when selecting the foods as the total amount of carbohydrates, but also, 1. The amount of fat: Fats from cold-water fish, olive and flax oil are beneficial. 2. Fiber and protein are also important. WE should minimize eating saturated fat and better to take more fiber in the diet. Cooking, food-processing and age, are all affects food’s GI. Ex. Pizza keeps glucose up longer than any other food and glucose was still high even after 4-5 hours. Foods with low Glycemic Index: Soya Beans, Bengal gram and Grapes. Source: Life Scan magazine. … [Read more...]
Diabetic coma: Causes, Symptoms and prevention
Diabetic Coma is an emergency situation in which diabetic patient is unconscious due to extreme blood glucose levels (too high or too low). This condition is more common in Type 1 Diabetes. Causes of Diabetic Coma: 1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis 2. Hypoglycemia – Glucose level is below 3.5 mmol/L 3. Hyper osmolar syndrome – Severe dehydration and hyperglycemia. Signs and symptoms of Diabetic Coma: 1. More urination 2. More thirst 3. More appetite 4. More sedation 5. More weakness. 6. Loss of weight 7. Late healing of wounds. 8. Sight impaired. 9. More itching around the vaginal area in women. 10. Nausea and vomiting. 11. Pain in the pelvic area. 12. Rapid shallow breathing. If the blood glucose level is too low, patient is nervous, sweaty, tired and hungry. Prevention: 1. Have regular checkups about the sugar levels in the blood. 2. Take measures to keep the sugar well under control [Within the normal levels]. 3. Take diet and medication at regular intervals. 4. Take glucose packet or chocolate along with you. N.B: Avoid the following conditions as they lead to ketoacidosis. 1. Infections like flu or Pneumonia. 2. Getting wounds. 3. Mental strain. 4. Other diseases. If the glucose levels and ketone levels are very high in the urine, consult the doctor immediately and get treated. … [Read more...]
Diabetes: Risk facrors
Risk factors of Diabetes are divided into 7 types. Hereditary Obesity Sedentary life style Stress and strain Drug side effects Age Infectious diseases. I discuss here about hereditary risk factor. Diabetes due to heredity: Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes): Mainly caused by auto immunity. Severe lack of insulin is the characterestic feature. If father is diabetic, there are chances of 9% of the children gets diabetes. If mother is diabetic, 3% of the children get the disease. If both father and mother are diabetic, 30% of the children get the disease. Type 2 Diabetes: (Adult Diabetes) If either father or mother is diabetic, 30% of the children get the disease. If both parents are diabetic, 70% of the children get the disease. So, high risk group children should monitor their diabetes levels regularly. … [Read more...]
Diabetes statistics
Diabetes in Numbers: One person is dying for every 10 seconds in the world. Two new diabetic cases are identifying for every 10 seconds in the world. 7 million new diabetic cases will be identified by 2025. 80% of diabetics in the world will be present in developing countries like India. India is the Diabetic capital of the world. It is not now a disease of rich people. It is a disease of sedentary people with Unhealthy diet habits. These are some of the Diabetic facts telling the dangere lies ahead from this silent disease. … [Read more...]
Diabetes Facts – 2
Every 10 seconds, a person dies of diabetes complications. In the same 10 seconds, 2 people are diagnosed as diabetics. Number of diabetics in India are at 4 crore. Number of Diabetics in the world in 1995 - 124.7 millions. Number of Diabetics in the world in 2000 - 153.9 millions. Number of Diabetics in the world in 2025 - 299.1 millions. This silent poison (diabetes) is gradually becoming more dangerous than AIDS. … [Read more...]
Diabetes – are you at risk?
Dr. Mohan's Diabetic centre, Chennai, India devised a simple test to know your Diabetes risk. How Old are you? - Score Below 35 years - 0 35-49 years - 20 Above 50 years - 30 What's your waist size in CM? - Score Below 80 (female) 90 (male) - 0 Between 80-99 (female) 90-99 (male) - 10 Above 90 (famale) 100 (MALE) - 20 How Active are you? - Score Regular exercise+strenuous work - 0 Regular exercise or strenuous work - 20 No exercise+sedentary work - 30 Does sugar run in your Family? - Score No Family history - 0 Either Parent - 10 Both Parents - 20 Score Analysis 60 And above - Very high Risk 30 - 50 - Moderate Risk Below 30 - Low Risk This is applicable for Adults only. Test youself and take necessary precautions. Please comment. … [Read more...]
Diabetes Facts
India is the Diabetes capital of the world with Hyderabad is the Diabetes capital of India. Here are some of the facts about this silent disease. November 14 - World Diabetes Day. India has highest number of Diabetics. One in every five diabetics in the world is Indian. India now has 35 million Diabetics. Dibetes has no cure. Major cause of diabetic death is Heart Attack. Obesity is the major cause of diabetes in the adults. … [Read more...]
