For a lot of us when we hear “Diabetes” we think sugar, which isnt wrong but with this post hopefully we would learn beyond ‘sugar’ and explore key terms such as glucose, Insulin, glycemic index, insulin resistance, fasting/random blood sugar and so on and so forth.
What is Diabetes mellitus (DM)?
Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it produces. It is characterised by persistently high sugar levels in the blood.
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas (an organ in your body) that helps push this glucose it notices in the blood to the cells for energy.
What this means is that if this insulin is not doing its job that would result to excess glucose in the blood and that is how we have the disease “DIABETES”
In summary, when you eat food, your body breaks it down into glucose, which enters your bloodstream. The pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps move glucose from the blood into the cells to be used for energy.
The major types of DM are
- Type 1 diabetes: this type of diabetes is mostly common in children but can occur at any age. What happens here is that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and completely destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. A person with this type of diabetes would always be dependent on insulin injections as their body can no longer produce the natural insulin
- Type 2 diabetes: this is the most common type of diabetes. What happens here is that the body is either not producing enough insulin or even when it does, it doesnt recognise it for its functions and becomes resistant to it (Insulin resistance). It is often linked to factors like poor diet, obesity, age, genetics, family history and decreased activity levels.
- Gestational diabetes: this type of diabetes is temporary as it occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after childbirth. However, it increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.
What are the most common symptoms of Diabetes
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Slow-healing wounds etc.
You should see a doctor immediately when you start to feel any of these especially together
Why Diabetes Matters
If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as:
✔️ Heart disease
✔️ Kidney damage
✔️ Nerve damage; when you feel numb, pain or a tingling sensation in your legs, arm, feet, hands
✔️ Eye problems: in dire cases blindness
✔️ Foot problems: in severe cases the foot might be amputated
What is the Glycemic Index (GI)?
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a ranking system that measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. It scores foods on a scale from 0 to 100, based on how fast they cause a spike in blood glucose.
The Glycemic Index is important to note because it helps people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels, supports weight management by reducing cravings and maintaining energy levels and reduces the risk of insulin resistance.
Examples of Foods by GI Level
✅ Low GI: green peas, nuts (almond, walnut), non-starchy vegetables (cabbage, carrot, lettuce tomatoes), yogurt, fruits (apples, orange, peach, strawberry) fish, egg, brown rice
⚖️ Medium GI: whole wheat bread, bananas, pineapple, mango, papaya, grape, basmati rice, whole wheat bread, corn
🚨 High GI: White bread, white rice, sugary drinks, processed snacks, potatoes, soda, processed foods
Fun Fact: before the advent of diagnostic procedures such as Fasting blood sugar, Random blood sugar, HBA1c, doctors sometimes diagnosed diabetes by tasting a patient’s urine for a sweet taste 😀
Bottom line
Diabetes is a serious but manageable condition. With the right lifestyle changes, healthy eating, regular exercise, weight management, routine checkups like RBS, FBS, medication (if needed), and awareness, people with diabetes can lead full and active lives.
Let us stay healthy together………….