A few decades back, diabetes was an uncommon disease.  Today, however, there are an estimated 143 million people who are affected by the disease and that number is fast increasing.  In fact, it is estimated that by 2020, over 220 million people are expected to be living with diabetes.

In the United States alone, the numbers for diabetes are as follows:

• 18.2 million people (6.3% of the population) are living with diabetes
• 13 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes
• 5.2milion (or nearly one third) are unaware that they have the disease

It is worthy to note that in developed countries, most patients of diabetes are over sixty years old while the patients affected in the developing countries are young and considered to be in the prime of their life.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is derived from the Greek word “Diabeinein,” which means to pass through describing copious urination, and Mellitus, a Latin word meaning “sweetened with honey.”  Putting these two words together signify sweetened urine or sugar in urine.

Diabetes is a disease where the body is unable to produce or to utilize the insulin.  The insulin is a hormone which the body needs to be able to control the rate in which sugar, starch and other foods are converted into glucose.  This is what the body needs to provide us the energy we need.

After a meal, the liver stores the glucose from the meal as glycogen and releases it into the blood in between meals.  The role of insulin is to control the storage and release of glucose.  It ensures that the amount of glucose in the blood at every particular time does not go beyond or below the normal range.

Insulin is required by the body to help maintain the blood glucose level within the normal range (60-100mg/dl).  This value is called the Fasting Blood Glucose.  It would be worthy to note that despite the body’s several demands for glucose in different situations, the blood glucose levels rarely exceeds this value.

Types of Diabetes

There are five classes of diabetes according to the World Health Organization (WHO):

1.  Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or Type I Diabetes

Type I diabetes is not common and accounts for only 10% of all diabetes cases.  It was initially called Juvenile onset diabetes because it only affects adolescents and young adults.   It is caused by a sudden failure of the pancreas to produce insulin.  It’s symptoms are:

thirst

polyuria (passing large amount of urine)

diuresis

weight loss

2.  Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or Type II Diabetes

Type II is the most common type of diabetes and accounts for over 80% of all cases.  It is usually found in adults and the elderly.  This type of diabetes usually develops unnoticed over a long period of time.  It is characterized by insufficient insulin, deficient insulin in the blood or the inability of the body to utilize the insulin that is present.  This is called insulin resistance.  It often goes by undetected because of its slow and gradual occurrence and only gets noticed when one or more of its long-term complications appear.

Unlike in Type I Diabetes, the insulin in the blood of a Type II diabetic may be normal or even high.  However, due to insulin resistance, it lacks the desired effect.  This is prevalent among obese people.

3.  Gestational Diabetes

This type of diabetes only occurs during pregnancy and disappears after delivery, usually within three weeks. An estimated 3% of all pregnancies are accompanied by gestational diabetes.  Almost half of these patients are prone to developing permanent diabetes later in life.

4.  Diabetes Insipidus

5.  Bronze Diabetes

What Causes Diabetes

Currently, there are still no clear cause for diabetes.  However, there are certain risk factors which increases one’s chances of having diabetes.  For example, indolent and well-fed populations are 2 20times more likely to develop type II diabetes than active and lean population of the same race.

Below are the following risk factors:

1.  OBESITY

Of the patients diagnosed with Type II diabetes, it is estimated that three quarters of these patients are obese. The patient’s lifestyle has a strong influence on this.  Indolent and affluent lifestyles seems to greatly contribute to this.  Moreover, a 10kg weight loss can reduce fasting blood sugar level by almost 50md/dl while an active lifestyle with frequent exercise is known to increase Insulin sensitivity.

It is important that you monitor your Body Mass Index (BMI) as obesity is based on these values.  This is computed by dividing the body weight (in Kilograms) by the square of height (in metres).  For adults, a BMI less than 25kg/m2 is preferred.  25 29kg/m2 is considered overweight and above 30kg/m2 is considered obese.

2.  FAMILY HISTORY

The chances of having diabetes is greater for people who have a family history of diabetes.  If diabetes runs in your family, it is essential that you adapt a healthy lifestyle and constantly monitor your blood sugar level.

3.  AGE AND RACE

The onset of Type II diabetes usually occurs in patients who are over 40 years of age.  However, do note that the probability increases for those who have a family history of diabetes, are obese and probably leading sedentary lifestyles.Moreover, diabetes tends to be more prevalent among certain races such as Africans, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asian Americans. Belonging to any of the races is a risk factor in itself.

4.  HISTORY OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES

A woman who has had a history of gestational diabetes also increases her chances of developing permanent diabetes later in life.

Pre-Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is managed through your lifetime once you have acquired the disease.   While there is no known cure for this, you can however, prevent it from happening to you.

Understand that diabetes is almost always preceeded by pre-diabetes.  This is when your blood glucose level is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes.  To prevent diabetes, it is important that you take time to monitor your blood glucose levels regularly.  You can do this through a test called Fasting Blood Glucose.  This test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in one’s blood before taking any meal for the day.   It is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).

A value below 100mg/dl is generally accepted to be normal, while a value greater than 100mg/dl but less than 120mg/dl is considered as pre-diabetes.  If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you need to take urgent steps to reduce your blood glucose or risk acquiring a life long diabetes.

Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition.  Fortunately, it can still be reversed by making changes in diet pattern and increasing physical activity.

Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes

It should also be emphasized that the racial and genetic factors which puts people at risk of having diabetes are still beyond human comprehension and control.  Therefore, it is best to reduce all human controllable factors to the barest minimum.  Most of these factors have to do with social occupational and diet habits.

The following tips can help reduce your diabetes risk:

1.  Maintain an average body weight

Reducing body fat and maintaining an average body weight is essential to avoid diabetes.  Keep in mind that obesity seems to be the single most significant factor in diabetes. The ideal body mass index (BMI) is as follows:

• Males – less than 25kg/m2
• Females – less than 24kg/m2

2.  Engage in an Active Lifestyle

A sedentary and affluent lifestyle puts you at a greater risk of acquiring diabetes.  It is recommended that you increase your physical activity by engaging in simple dynamic exercises such as brisk walking.  Do this on a regular basis.

Keep in mind that exercise has a lot of benefits.  It…

• reduces bodyweight and fat
• increases functionality of the heart
• reduces the chances of diabetes
• boosts emotions and healthy living

3.  Cut down on your alcohol intake

Alcoholic intake of more than 2 units per day has been shown to adversely affect the body. And since alcohol is very addictive, it is better to complete cut off alcohol from your lifestyle.

4.  Do not smoke

Cigarette smoking and alcohol have been related to several diseases.  When you stop smoking, you reduce the chances of several other ailments apart from diabetes.  Keep in mind that cigarette smoke has been shown to contain several poisonous substances.

5.  Develop good eating habits

• Cut down on fatty food and junks
• Consume more fish and poultry (without the skin is better).
• Garlic reduces blood pressure cholesterol; add it to your meal plan once in a while.
• Cut the number of eggs you consume to 3- 4 eggs weekly.  It is better to boil them than to fry them.
• Reduce salt intake to less than 5.8 grams daily.
• Eat more vegetables and fibre rich food, especially fruits.

6.  Constantly monitor your fasting blood glucose