Are you Diabetic ?                                   Part -1.

Are you Diabetic ? , if yes, then this article is  for you. It does not mean that people who are not Diabetic, should not read this article. In this article we will discuss  about Diabetes , now has become an international disease. We will also mention  some personal experiences related to fight Diabetes. What food Diabetic persons  should eat to live healthy ? This topic is also included in the article.

List of contents covered in Part-1:

• What is Diabetes ?
• Diabetes world wide.

Diabetes related disease

Contents of Part-2:

• How to control blood sugar
• Covid-19 and Diabetes.
• Food a Diabetic should not eat.

Part- 1

What is Diabetes?

What we eat, it is converted into glucose. Glucose provide us strength. When our blood sugar goes up, it  signals our Pancreas to release a Harmon called Insulin. Insulin takes the glucose to our muscles , where glucose is burnt and we get strength. When our Pancreas , due to some reasons, stops producing Insulin, glucose in our blood does not burn and  accumulate in our blood vessels. This condition is called Diabetes.

These days, artificial Insulin ( exact copy of natural Insulin and with same effects ) is injected into our muscles to burn the glucose accumulated in our blood and help us to keep our blood sugar in control. For details read our article ” Diabetes.”

A diabetic person  usually experience two condition :

1 – High Blood Sugar level: If your blood sugar level is too high,
you may experience :

• Increased thirst,
• Frequent urination.
• Shortness of breathing.
• Stomach pain.
• Fatigue.
• Very dry mouth.

2 –  Very low blood sugar level :

If your  sugar level is  between 55-69 mg/dl,   drink one glass of any syrup   immediately. Eat some carbohydrate. Check again your
blood sugar level  . If it is in range ,  eat your meal or
a snake to ensure it does not get too low again. Remember,
Very low blood sugar level is more dangerous than a high
blood sugar level.

Recommended blood sugar level :

Almost all Diabetes Doctors agree on the following ideal blood sugar levels ”
1 –  Blood sugar level before breakfast    =  80 – 108 mg/dl
2 –  Blood sugar level 2 hours after breakfast  = 80 – 140 mg/dl.

Diabetes world wide:

About 422 million people world wide have Diabetes, the majority in low and middle income countries. Around 1.6 million deaths every year  are directly related to Diabetes.   Here is a statement, issued by W.H.O.,  showing  diabetic population in the 38 nation league :

Countries with lowest diabetes , around 4% are :

1. Lithuania.
2. Estonia.
3. Ireland.

Countries having 5 % diabetes are :

1. Sweden.
2. Luxembourg.
3. United Kingdom.
4. Australia.

Country with 7 % diabetes is :

1. Canada.

Some more facts:

1. China is the country with the highest number of diabetics world wide, with around 116 millions people suffering from Diabetes.
2. India is believed as the world capital of Diabetes. The diabetic population in the country is close to alarming point of  69.9 million by 2025 and 80 millions by 2030.

source: International Diabetes Federation

Diabetes related diseases:

Uncontrolled Diabetes causes following complication:

•  Kidney problems.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetic foot.
• Muscle cramps.
• Sexual problems.

Kidney Problems:

Our kidneys play several  important role in our health. Our Kidney :

• Help to filter our blood.
• Remove waste products.
• Keep our bones strong.
• Produce hormones.
• Regulate fluid balance.
• Regulate our blood pressure.

As the time pass, uncontrolled high blood sugar damage/ block  the tiny blood vessels in kidneys and they become less effective. A survey shows that 10 % of world wide adult population is suffering from kidney diseases.

Kidney health is measured in a Renal Function Test  (RFT). The test shows the volume of Creatinine in the blood. Creatine is  a natural substance that turns into Creatine Phosphate in the body. It makes
a substance called ” Adenosine Triphosphate” which provide energy for muscles. A healthy kidney show creatinine level between 0.3 – 1.3 mg/dl.

If kidneys are damaged, they can not do their function properly, a dialysis process  is required.

High Blood Pressure:

As mentioned earlier uncontrolled high blood sugar does not burn and accumulate in blood vessels resulting in less blood flow.  To supply more blood into body, our heart try to pump the blood . with extra force. This extra force make the heart weak.

Diabetic foot:

Uncontrolled high blood sugar stick in the tiny blood vessels of the fingers of our feet and block the blood flow. The fingers become numb, and feel very cold. Any foot  wound can not be cured. If condition become worst, the last choice is to cut the foot.

Muscle Cramps;

When blood sugar is not burnt in the muscles, they  do not get strength and become weak ,and   we get muscle cramps. I am fighting with diabetes since last 33 years. My muscles became weak and i had muscle cramp every night. I have high blood pressure due to diabetes. In April,  2012 doctor advised me to take one 50 mg  tablet of  Losartan Potassium daily to control my high blood pressure. Since April 2012, the muscle cramps became worst. About 2 months ago, I searched the side effects of Losartan Potassium. I was shocked when i came to know that Losartan Potassium effects on muscles and  make them weak. I stopped to take this medicine and now i have 70% relief in muscle crump. For details on muscle camp, please read our article “Muscle Cramps”.

Sexual problems:

Uncontrolled high blood sugar attacks first on the following parts:

1. Feet.
2. Kidneys.
3. Sexual parts. ——–  Uncontrolled high blood sugar accumulates in the tiny blood vessels of sexual part. Blood does not flow  there and result is impotency.

Continued to part -2