Diabetes, types of diabetes and prevention

What is Diabetes ?

In our body there is an organ known as pancreas which produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin is necessary for converting starch, sugar and other foods into energy. But when the pancreas of a person does not work properly due to any disorder then the person is said to be affected by diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes: – Type I and Type II

Type I Diabetes: – When pancreas does not produce insulin due to absence of beta cells or destruction of beta cells then the condition falls in the category of type I diabetes. As children are mostly affected by this type of diabetes so it is also known as juvenile diabetes.

Type II Diabetes: – This type of diabetes is caused when pancreas produces in sufficient insulin to metabolize the glucose.

Diabetes is a silent killer which can damage heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, etc.

Though diabetes type II is not supposed to strike teenagers but due to change of our life style and diet these days teenagers are also being affected by this type (type II) of diabetes.

Diabetes type II can be controlled if we change our sedentary life style and diet.

Preventions: -

i) Sugar intake should be reduced
ii) High fat diet with a lot of calories should be avoided.
iii) Low fat diet should be taken.
iv) Physical activity is necessary. Walking or other physical exercise is essential to control blood sugar.
v) Plenty of vegetables, salad should be taken.
vi) Plenty of water is necessary.
vii) While bread, rice, potatoes should be avoided as far as possible.

Author: Surya Narayan Bhattacharya