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Causes of Diabetes
How
diabetes develops is not really known, but the most common causes are genetics
(heredity), obesity, irregular and unhealthy eating habits and stress.
Genetics
(heredity) plays an important role in the manifestation of diabetes. Many people
are prone to developing diabetes, especially after the age of 30 years. If one
has a family history of diabetes, then it is wisest to take all the possible precautionary
measures beginning from childhood to lay a strong foundation to delay its onset
or to even avoid it.
Have regular meals, indulge in an exercise programme and
restrict the consumption of junk foods and alcohol. These can lead to obesity
which can accelerate the onset of diabetes.
Obesity.
Most obese individuals are prone to developing diabetes as excessive fat stores
can interfere with the body's ability to utilize insulin effectively and in turn
lead to high blood sugar (glucose) levels.
People who have high fat deposits
on their abdomen (apple shaped obesity) have a higher risk of developing diabetes
than those who have more fat deposits on their hips or thighs (pear shaped obesity).
Most doctors take into account waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in determining how prone
the person is to being diabetic. Dividing the waist measurements by the hip measurements
in inches determines this ratio. Men who have a WHR greater than 0.9 and women
who have a WHR greater than 0.85 are more prone to diabetes. If a person's waist
measures 44 inches in circumference and the hips measure 40 inches in circumference
the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is 1.1
Irregular
and unhealthy food habits fluctuate the blood sugar levels erratically. Irregular
eating habits (i.e. without any definite timing) or an increased intake of fats
and refined and processed carbohydrates (bakery products, mithais, refined noodles,
pasta etc.) makes can make a person prone to becoming diabetic.
Stress
has become an integral part of urban living. To cope with stress, some people
also over eat, or reach for the wrong kind of foods while others may take to alcohol
or smoking which can create the perfect setting that may lead to diabetes
Diagnosis
Of Diabetes
The
most common symptoms of diabetes that are easily detectable in the early stages
are increased urination (polyuria), increased thirst (polydypsia)
and increased hunger (polyphagia). Some individuals may also lose weight
and strength as glucose utilization is impaired. This situation is often referred
as 'poverty in the midst of plenty'. This is because although there is plenty
of sugar available in the blood, a diabetic person cannot utilize it, due to the
disturbed or faulty utilization of sugar resulting from lack of insulin.
The
simplest and most reliable way to diagnose diabetes is to test blood sugar
levels and urine for the presence of sugar.
The
diagnostic criteria for Diabetes Mellitus are shown in the following table.
| Categories |
Fasting Blood Sugar
Levels (mg/dl) |
Post Lunch Blood Sugar
Levels (mg/dl) |
| Normal | 80
to 110 | Less
than 140 |
| Impaired
Glucose Tolerance | 111
to 126 | 126
to 199 |
| Diabetes | More
than 126 | More
than 200 |
*
WHO / ADA Criteria, 1999.(Venous Plasma Glucose)
To
explain the table above:
Fasting
blood sugar is a test done to check the sugar levels in the morning on an empty
stomach. Post
lunch blood sugar is the test done to check the sugar levels 2 hours after a meal.
This is done to check how effectively the insulin functions. A
person is considered to be normal when his fasting blood sugar level is between
80 to 110 mg/dl and post lunch blood sugar level is less than 140 mg/dl. A
fasting blood sugar level of 111 to 126 mg/dl and/or a post lunch blood sugar
level of 126 to 199 mg/dl are in this range, the sugar levels are higher than
normal. This rise in blood sugar levels could be due to some other disease or
ailment, not necessarily diabetes. The sugar levels probably rise because of impaired
glucose tolerance which is not diagnosed as diabetes. However there is certainly
a higher risk of developing diabetes. Consult a diabetologist about appropriate
changes in your life style, diet and exercise which can help in preventing the
progression of impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes. A
person is diagnosed as diabetic when either the fasting blood sugar levels are
more than 126 mg/dl or post lunch blood sugar levels are more than 200 mg/dl.
You need to be cautious and consult your diabetologist for tips to control blood
sugar levels and prevent further complications. Another
screening test is to check the presence of glucose (sugar) in the urine.
In normal circumstances, sugar is never present in urine. Only when the blood
sugar goes beyond a certain level, the extra sugar is spilled and is excreted
through urine. |
Also in this section
Introduction
Type of Diabetes
Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia
Diet & Diabetes
Nutrients that help control diabetes
Handy Hints to Control Blood Sugar Level
Cooking Healthy
Food Exchange List
Food Allowed, Restricted & Forbidden
Eating Out
Alcohol & Diabetes
Nature Cure or Home Remedies
Exercise & Diabetes
Common Myths about Diabetes
Recipes
More in Total Health
Pregnancy Diet
Low Calorie Recipes
Baby & Toddler Food
Eating Smart
Calcium Rich Recipes
Home Remedies
Healthy Breakfast
Healthy Soups & Salads
Special Diets
Fast Foods Made Healthy
Healthy Heart
Forever Young Diet
Iron Rich Recipes
Healthy Snacks
Low Cholesterol Recipes
Healthy Juices
Healthy Subzis
All
the recipes mentioned in the above text can be found through the search
option.
