TYPE-2 DIABETES

Overview

Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrates metabolism characterized by high blood sugar level

(hyperglycemia) and high level of sugar in urine (glycosuria). It is accompanied  in many cases by

secondary alterations of fat and protein metabolism, resulting in an array of physical disorders.

Diabetes therefore, is a metabolic disease. It can be kept well under control and reasonably managed

with proper care though it cannot be cured once it occurs.

Diabetes can be divided into two types depending on the insulin status of the body.

1. Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or Type-1- In this type of diabetes mellitus (in order

to function normally) body is dependent on insulin doses from an exogeneous sources (outside

source). It occurs more frequently in young children and adolescents.

2. Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or Type-2- In this type of diabetes mellitus

there is a lack or insufficiency of insulin in the body which can be brought under control by either diet

and certain drugs. The body is not dependent on insulin from an outside source. This is frequently

observed in adults (especially those who are overweight).

In this article we will learn about Type-2 Diabetes or NIDDM

Symptoms of Type-2 Diabetes

Symptoms includes

. Increased urination

. Increased thirst

. Increased hunger

. Weight loss

Other symptoms includes

. Blurred vision

. Weakness or loss of strength

. Pain in legs

Tests

In order to confirm the presence of diabetes in an individual, one has to depend on blood and urine

tests.

Urine Test: In this test urine is tested for presence of glucose, 2-3 hours after a full meal. You should

note that no glucose is present in the urine of normal individual.

Blood Test: Do you know what the normal fasting blood glucose level is? It is 70-110 mg per 100 ml.

Fasting level here refers to the level of glucose taken after a fast of 12 hours. It is generally taken early

morning without breakfast. So fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/100 ml or above is considered an

indication of diabetes.

A test called glucose tolerance test (GTT) is usually also used to confirm the presence of diabetes in

an individual.

Causes of Type-2 Diabetes

Exact causes of type-2 diabetes are not known but being inactive and overweight are key contributing

factors.

Type-2 diabetes mainly the result of two problems.

1. Pancreas do not make enough insulin to keep body sugar levels in normal range.

2. Cells in muscle, fat and the liver become resistant to insulin as a result the cell don’t take in enough

sugar.

Complication of Type-2 Diabetes

Common complications are

Heart disease: CHD (Coronary Heart Disease) occurs more frequently and has notably more serious

consequences in diabetes than in non-diabetics.

Kidney disease: Progressive impairment of renal function, accompained by urinary protein loss and

culminating in end-stage renal failure may be seen in diabetics. 

Diabetic eye disease: Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, especially in middle-aged and elderly people,

causing visual disability.

Diabetic Foot: Diabetics are affected by a peculiar disability which severly damages the tissues of the

foot.

Hearing problem: Diabetics are also affected by hearing problem as after a certain age diabetic use to

hear more loud as compare to normal one.

Prevention of Type-2 Diabetes

Type-2 diabetes can be prevented easily by taking some simple steps.

. Eating healthy food.

. Keep your weight under control.

. Avoid smoking.

. Have balanced diet and avoid fad diets.

. Take healthy fats.

. Exercise daily.

Dietary Management of Type-2 Diabetes

Foods allowed

Green leafy vegetables

Fruits-- orange, melon, apple, guava, etc.

Whole grain

Food high in protein

Dairy without fat.

Food to avoid

Soft drinks

Alcohol and wines

Fried food

Sugar, honey, jams, sweets, cake, pastries

Medicinal Plants in the use of Type-2 Diabetes

1. Jamun : Ayurvedically, it is recognized that decoction of dry leaves of jamun exhibit hypoglyceamic

effects. The fruit, bark and seeds have also found to possess anti-diabetic properties.

2. Fenugreek : Fenugreek seeds helps to improve oral glucose tolerance and modifies pancreatic

hormone levels.

3. Bitter Gourd: The juice of unripe fruit is taken once or twice a day as an anti-diabetic remedy. It

improves glucose tolerance.

Tips for Diabetics

1. Eat starches such as those present in wheat, jowar, bajra, ragi, etc. Instead of sugars like sucrose,

glucose and fructose present in table sugar, honey fruit juice, etc.

2. Use whole pulses like chana, rajma, soybean instead of split pulses or their dals.

3. Soybean or gram flour can be incorporated into the atta and chapatis made out of it, thus

increasing the protein content of the food.

4. Green leafy vegetables and all types of raw vegetables such as cucumber, carrot , cauliflower,

cabbage, lettuce, onion and tomato can be eaten in plenty to fill the stomach.

5. Use such cooking methods which require minimum amounts of fats. So one should eat boiled,

steamed and grilled food instead of fried foods. Use a non stick pan reduces the fat consumption.

6. Fibre-rich foods such as whole grain pulses and raw vegetables can be preferred to refined flours

and cooked vegetables and peeled fruits. Consumption of apple and pears with their peel on is beneficial.