Sugar That’s Not Sweet

If you suspect diabetes, here’s what you should bear in mind before going to the doctor. But before we start, a recce of the ABC of diabetes:

What is Diabetes

ONCE food is digested, the body converts it into simple sugars like glucose. The gut absorbs the glucose, from where it passes into the bloodstream and cells, where it is used as energy. When you have diabetes, the glucose does not burn and provide energy, because the glucose-converting hormone, insulin, is in short supply. The unburned glucose therefore remains in the blood, causing you to have impaired glucose tolerance, or high blood sugar. If changes in diet and lifestyle are not made immediately, impaired glucose tolerance can lead to diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

DIABETES in India is usually Type II (diabetes mellitus), where insulin secretion from the pancreas is below the optimal level. Type I diabetes is a condition more common among children, where the pancreas loses the ability to make insulin. Type I is rare among Asian children.

When Do I Go For A Diabetes Test?

DOCTORS maintain that most people who suffer from the disease are not initially aware of it, since the symptoms may not be prominent in the first stage. Usually, it is during a routine check-up that your doc will detect high blood sugar or diabetes.

Dr Ambrish Mithal, a senior endocrinologist at Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo hospital says the symptoms to watch out for are unexplained thirst, sudden weight loss or gain, frequent urination, bouts of fatigue and tiredness and muscle cramps. ‘‘These are all indicators of high blood sugar,’’ he says. If you suffer from these conditions, it’s time to go to a doctor.

Am I At High Risk?

YOU are, if your parents or close relatives are diabetic; you have a bad blood profile, which includes high cholesterol; you were diabetic during a pregnancy; you are overweight.

If you fall into one of the above categories, it is a wise thing to get a routine checkup every six months. Also, watch the weight.

If I Am Diabetic, How Do I Control It?

‘‘TYPE II diabetes can be managed by lifestyle modification, regular exercise and healthy diet alone. The next step is an oral blood sugar lowering medication. Insulin administration may be required if there are severe manifestations,’’says Dr Anju Virmani, an endocrinologist at Holy Angels hospital.

Monitor your sugar level and visit your diabetologist regularly for check-ups. The glucometer, a simple, easy-to-use device for monitoring blood sugar levels, is easily available for about Rs 4,000 in the market. It does away with trips to blood testing centres; doctors say it’s a good investment. ‘‘The blood sugar level should be around 150,’’ says Virmani.

Fix an appointment with a qualified dietician, who can help you draw up a healthier diet. Most diabetics respond well to food that is rich in fibre and low in fats and sugar.

And of course, there’s nothing to beat exercise. Walking is a good way to begin, or you can invest in a treadmill. But exercise at least four times a week.

But Isn’t Cutting Out the Sugar Enough?

THAT’S one of the biggest myths about diabetes. Don’t become your own diabetologist and just throw out the sugar from your meals. Sugar intake has to be cut but cutting down on fats, saturated and unsaturated, is equally important. Rice and potatoes, too, are okay when ingested in moderation. The gold standard is ‘No Fasting, No Feasting’.

Don’t Ignore Diabetes Though

IN its severe manifestations, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney and nerve damage, and lower your resistance to infection. In fact, diabetes is fast becoming the leading cause of blindness in India.

Care, moderation and exercise go a long way in making you a healthy diabetic.