WHAT IS DIABETES?

 WHAT IS DIABETES? 

Diabetes is a lifelong condition in which there is a rise in blood sugar level or it becomes too high.

It is the condition in which food is not properly processed by the  body for use as energy. Our body uses energy from the food we eat when it converted into glucose or sugar. In our body there lies an organ near the stomach called Pancreas, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. If your body does not make enough  insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes a rise in sugar level by building up sugar in your blood and this refers to diabetes or a layman called as sugar.                                                                                                                                                           

Diabetes can cause serious health complications like heart diseases, kidney failure, blindness, lower extremity amputations, weight loss, loss of muscle bulk.

                    Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the united states. 

Pre-diabetes 

Many more people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is called as pre-diabetes. 

If someone has high blood sugar level means pre-diabetes, then the risk of developing full blown diabetes increases.

It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible, it will be life threatening it left untreated.

When to see a Doctor? 

 Following are the main symptoms of diabetes, if someone feels these then visit to your doctor.

• feeling very thirsty
• weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
• cuts or wound that heals slowly
• feeling very tired
• frequent urination, particularly at night 
• itching around the penis and vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
• blurred vision
• excessive hunger 

Types of diabetes 

The most common types of diabetes are:

• Type 1 diabetes, also called as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) 
• Type 2 diabetes, also called as non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)
• Gestational diabetes 

TYPE 1 DIABETES 

About 10% of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

 

Diabetes that can develop at any age, but most frequently  occurs in children and adolescents. In this insulin producing cells are destroyed and there is no production of insulin, thus is required from outside of the body in the form of insulin injections to maintain blood glucose level. People with diabetes mellitus type 1, if don't have access to insulin, they will die. 

The exact causes of this disease are yet unknown, but are linked to a combination of genetic and environmental conditions.

Symptoms of diabetes 1

• Abnormal thirst and dry mouth
• Sudden weight loss
• Frequent urination 
• Lack of energy and tiredness
• Constant hunger
• Blurred vision 
• Bedwetting

It is difficult to diagnose type 1 diabetes so additional test may be required to confirm.

Management of type 1 diabetes

People with diabetes type 1 require daily insulin treatment.

INSULIN 

All people with type 1 diabetes need insulin daily to maintain blood glucose level. There are different types of insulin depending on how they quickly work and how long they last. 

Types of Insulin 

• Rapid Acting

                                    It is usually taken just before or with a meal. These types of insulin act very fast and limit the rise in blood sugar, which follows eating. It is also necessary to avoid overdose to minimize Hypoglycemia. Rapid acting insulin include Asparat, Lispro, Glulisine.

• Short Acting

                                    It is usually taken before meal. These are also called regular or neutral insulin. These do not act as quickly as rapid acting insulins. Short acting insulin include Actrapid, Humulin R, Insuman rapid. 

• Intermediate Acting

                                   These are the insulins which are usually taken with short-acting insulin. It starts to act within the first hour of injecting, followed by a period of peak activity lasting up to 7 hours. These include Humulin NPH, Protaphane, Insulatrad. 

• Long Acting 

These are the insulins that are steadily released and can last in the body for about 24 hours. They are commonly taken in the morning or in the evening. These include Detemir, Glargine. 

Type 2 diabetes

It is the most common type of diabetes which accounts almost 90% of all diabetes cases.

It is insulin independent or insulin resistance, where the body does not fully respond to insulin. Because insulin does not work properly as blood sugar level keep rising and releasing more insulin. For some people with type 2 diabetes this can  eventually exhaust the pancreas, resulting in the body producing of less and less insulin causing even higher blood sugar level condition called hyperglycemia. 

It is most commonly diagnosed in older adults. But due to some factors like rising obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet, it is increasingly seen in children, adolescents and younger adults.

Risk factors 

There are several factors associated with type 2 diabetes and includes: 

• Family history of diabetes
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Overweight or obesity 
• Increasing age 
• High blood pressure 
• Ethnicity
• Impaired glucose tolerance 
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy 
• History of gestational diabetes

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes 

Symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar: 

• Frequent urination 
• Polydypsia
• Polyfagia 
• Tiredness and lack of energy 
• Blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Slow healing wounds

These symptoms may be mild or absent so people with type 2 diabetes can survive several years with the condition diagnosed.

Management of diabetes type 2 

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by healthy lifestyle and healthy diet, daily physical activities  and exercise, avoid smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight.

BENIFITS OF ONION IN DAILY LIFE

 

Impressive Health Benefits Of Onion In Daily Life

Though all vegetables are important for health, but certain kinds of vegetables offers unique benefits. Yes, onion is one of the vegetable which provides great health benefits specially for heart health.

Onions belong to member of ALLIUM genus of flowering plants. It contains antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides and reduce cholesterol levels- all of which may lowers heart disease risk. 

Their potent anti-inflammatory may also help reduce high blood pressure and protect against blood clots.

Consuming onions cures cold, cough, sore throat, and fever. Inhaling the smell of onion helps to stop nose bleeds.

It has antibiotic, antiseptic, antimicrobial properties which help to fight against certain infections.

Have a look on impressive health benefits and significance of onion:

Loaded With Antioxidants 

Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a process that leads to cellular damage and contributes to disease like cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. Onions are found to be an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, they contain over 25 different varieties of flavonoid antioxidants. Onions are packed with vitamin C, it is a rich source of B 6 and B 11, minerals such as iron, chromium, molybdenum, manganese and potassium, onions contain the amino acid tryptophan also.

Red onions contain Anthocyanin that gives red onions deep color. Additionally, Anthocyanins have been found to protect against certain types of cancer and diabetes.

Onions also contain Fisetin and Quercetin, Flavonoid antioxidants that may inhibit tumor growth.

Onions are linked to lower the risk of certain cancers like stomach and colon. These cancer fighting properties have been linked to the sulfur compounds and flavonoid antioxidants found in Allium vegetables.

Help Control Blood Sugar 

Onions are very good for people with diabetes and prediabetes as it helps control blood sugar. Compounds found in onions such as quercetin and sulfur compounds, posses antidiabetic effects. For example quercetin interacts with cells in the small intestine, fat tissues, skeletal muscles, pancreas and liver to control whole body blood sugar regulation.

Boost Bone Density

Onions have been found good for bones, it may help support strong bones and may prevent osteoporosis, decrease bone loss and boost bone density.

Inflammation from arthritis in the joints can be healed with onions.

Boost Digestive Health

As onions are rich in fiber and probiotics thus they are necessary for gut health. A diet rich in probiotics may help improve the absorption of important minerals like calcium which may improve bone health. These help increase the number of friendly bacteria in your gut and improve immune function.

                   Onions have antibacterial properties which fight bacteria.

It reduces the digestion problems by increases the release of digestive juices.

Fight The Effects Of Aging

Onions possess enormous anti-aging benefits. Vitamins A, C and E fight with harmful UV rays as well as prevent free radical damage that is responsible for premature aging. It also prevents wrinkles on your skin and keeps it soft and supple. Massaging your skin with fresh onion juice helps increase blood circulation and improves overall appearance of your skin. Onion juice can cure burnt skin or an insect bite or a bee bite. It may burn more, but it can heal it very effectively.

Make Skin Glow

onion effects for skin glow

As discussed earlier, onions are packed with vitamin A, C and E- all of which contribute to skin health.

• Protect the skin from premature aging that is caused by free radicals.
• As a powerful antiseptic it shields the skin from bacteria that cause issues.
• Vitamin C is important for imparting a glow to skin.

Treat Acne 

It is a powerful antiseptic that protects your skin from acne causing bacteria and other skin infections. Onions can be used in the treatment of acne and pimples.

Remove Dark spots

Onion juice is excellent for getting rid of dark spots and pigmentation. It removes the skin impurities and clean your skin. 

Benefits of Onion For Hair 

Onions are good for hairs and improve hair health and appearance. Onion water is a good source for hair growth and thickness. Sulfur and keratin is also a sulfur rich, which are essential elements for hair growth found in onions and onion juice.

Onion juice can also treat dandruff and consider as a dandruff healer. Apart from dandruff onions can also treat other scalp infections.

Help Cure Sleeping Disorder

An onion a day can cure insomnia and sleeping disorders. This will surely give you a good night's sleep.

 

In conclusion onions are very essential for our health so make it sure to have a part of the daily diet.

                                    LIVE HAPPY STAY HEALTHY