Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, lifelong condition that affects the body’s ability to use the energy found in food. Currently Ghana is ranked 6th on the diabetic table in Africa according to statistics by the World Health Organization. Diabetes is ranked third as a cause of death, all though the life span of patients with diabetes has increased due to improved methods of medical care.
All types of diabetes mellitus have something in common. Normally, your body breaks down the sugars and carbohydrates you eat into a special sugar called glucose. Glucose fuels the cells in the body because these cells needs insulin, a hormone in the bloodstream in order to take in the glucose and use it for energy. With diabetes mellitus, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin, it can’t use the insulin it does produce or a combination of both. Since the cells can’t take in the glucose, it builds up in your body. High levels of blood glucose can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, heart eyes or nervous system. The following are forms of diabetes:
· TYPE 1 DIABETES
The Type 1 diabetes results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes can live long, active lives if they carefully monitor their glucose, make the needed lifestyle changes and adhere to the treatment plan.
· TYPE 2 DIABETES
By far, the most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, accounting for 95% of diabetes cases in adults. Some 26million American adults have been diagnosed with the disease.
Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes but with the epidemic of obese and overweight kids, more teenagers are now developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually produces some insulin, but either the amount produced is not enough for the body’s needs or the body’s cells are resistant to it. Insulin resistance, or lack of sensitivity to insulin, happens primarily in fat, liver and muscle cells.
Obese people have insulin resistance and with it, the pancreas has to work overly hard to produce more insulin but even then there is not enough insulin to keep sugars normal.
There is no cure for diabetes, type 2 diabetes can, however can be controlled with weight management, nutrition and exercise.
· GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Diabetes that is triggered by pregnancy is gestational diabetes. It is often diagnosed in middle or late pregnancy, because high blood sugar levels in a mother are circulated through the placenta to the baby, gestational diabetes must be controlled to protect the baby’s growth and development.
According to the National Institution of Health, the reported rate of gestational diabetes is between 2% to 10% of pregnancies. Gestational diabetes usually resolves itself after pregnancy. Having gestational diabetes does, however, put mothers at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Up to 10% of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes. It can occur anywhere from a few weeks after delivery to months or years later.
With gestational diabetes, risks to the unborn baby are greater than risks to the mother. Risks to the baby include abnormal weight gain before birth, breathing problems at birth and higher obesity and diabetes risk later in life. Risk to the mother include needing cesarean section due to an overly large baby, as well as damage to heart, kidney, nerves and eye.
SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES (TYPE 1 & 2)
· Increased in urine output
· Excessive thirst
· Blurred vision
· Dry mouth
· Tingling or numbness of the feet or toes.
FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Ø Check your risk of diabetes: take the life risk assessment test and learn more about your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Ø Manage your weight: excess body fat particularly if stored around the abdomen can increase the body’s resistance to the hormone insulin.
Ø Exercise regularly: Moderate physical activity on most days of the week helps manage weight, reduce blood glucose levels and may also improve blood pressure and cholesterol.
Ø Eat a balanced, healthy diet: reduce the amount of fat in your diet, especially saturated and trans fats. Eat more fruits, vegetables and high-fiber foods. Cut back on salt.
Ø Limit takeaway and processed foods: Convenience meals are usually high in salt, aft and kilojoules. It’s best to cook for yourself using fresh ingredients whenever possible.
Ø Limit your alcohol intake: too much alcohol can lead to weight gain and may increase your blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Ø Quit smoking: smokers are twice as likely to develop diabetes as non-smokers.
Ø Control blood pressure: most people can do this with regular exercise, a balanced diet and by keeping a healthy weight. In some cases, you might need medication prescribed by your doctor.
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