Diabetes: A reason to worry! By Sobiya N. Moghul

Diabetes is a very serious ailment and it can cause numerous health complications. When people have diabetes, their bodies fail to produce insulin or produce very little insulin. 

It is also related to issues like vision problems, high blood pressure, heart ailments and strokes. Therefore it is important to know how you can prevent diabetes.

Being overweight or being older may predispose you to diabetes. The common reasons forDiabetes to occur are age, family history, ethnicity weight, activity level, smoking,high blood pressure and weight loss.

"While Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people . It's also known as late-onset diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency", informs Dr. Shreepad Khedekar, Specialist in Genetic Chronic Diseases, Imperial Clinics.

While Type 1 diabetes can be treated with insulin and control through the use of glucose meters. Type 2 diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may later be required.

There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms and problems

Dr. Shreepad Khedekar, Specialist in Genetic Chronic Diseases, Imperial Clinics gives quick tips to control diabetes:

Get physical

Exercise can help you:
Lose weight
Lower your blood sugar
Boosts your sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range
Research shows that both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greatest benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both.

Get plenty of fiber

It's rough, it's tough — and it may help you:
Reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control
Lower your risk of heart disease
Promote weight loss by helping you feel full
Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Go for whole grains
Although it's not clear why, whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Try to make at least half your grains whole grains. Many foods made from whole grains come ready to eat, including various breads, pasta products and many cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package and among the first few items in the ingredient list.

Lose extra weight
If you're overweight, diabetes prevention may hinge on weight loss. Every pound you lose can improve your health. And you may be surprised by how much.

Skip fad diets and make healthier choices
Low-carb diets, the glycemic index diet or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known nor is their long-term effects. And by excluding or strictly limiting a particular food group, you may be giving up essential nutrients. Instead, think variety and portion control as part of an overall healthy-eating plan.