Diabetes is a chronic health condition that causes higher-than-normal blood sugar levels due to problems involving insulin. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or the insulin in your body is unable to do its job (Type 2 diabetes).
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the pancreas’ insulin-producing cells. This type of diabetes usually appears during childhood but may occur at later ages as well. Although Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1, the health outcomes for women are the same.
Age, race, ethnicity, and genetics are a few of the risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus.
Several lifestyle factors like obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol, and low-fibre diet also affect the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Apart from these risk factors affecting the occurance of diabetes, women have additional risk factors. These may occur in the form of PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) and with a personal history of GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus). Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at an increased risk of future diabetes, predominantly type 2 diabetes, as are their children. Now-a-days due to an unhealthy lifestyle and increased occurrence of obesity both PCOS and GDM have increased in women.
Common symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urge to urinate, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, irritability. Women can also present with recurrent urinary tract infections, fertility issues, unusual vaginal discharge or itching.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes affects more men than women. However, women with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing complications from this chronic health condition than men are.
Diabetes affects nearly every organ in your body and is linked to many health problems. Women may develop health complications such as diabetic retinopathy (vision loss), neuropathy (nerve pain), and kidney disease. Women with diabetes also have higher rates of depression.
One of the most significant differences in how diabetes affects men and women is heart health. Women with diabetes are four times more likely to have a heart attack than men.
GDM during pregnancy poses risk for both mother and the foetus. GDM can cause increased weight and the size of the foetus leading difficulty in delivery, respiratory difficulty, heart and spinal cord malformations. Children born through diabetic mothers are at higher risk of developing diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome in the future.
Women with a personal history of GDM should get a regular blood sugar level checkup done for prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
Lifestyle modifications, weight control, and dietary changes are important aspects in prevention of diabetes mellitus. Fibre-rich foods promote weight loss and lower the risk of developing diabetes. Consume a variety of healthy,
• Fibre-rich foods, such as tomatoes, peppers, and fresh fruits.
• Non-starchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower.
• Legumes, such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
• Whole grains, such as whole-wheat pasta and bread, whole-grain rice, whole oats, and quinoa
Fibre slows down the absorption of sugars thereby lowering blood sugar levels. It also interferes with the absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol, managing other risk factors affecting heart health, such as blood pressure and inflammation. It also helps you eat less because fibre-rich foods are more filling and energy rich.
Avoid foods that contain"bad carbohydrates" — high in sugar with little fibre and other nutrients. This may include white bread and pastries, white flour pasta, fruit juices, and processed foods with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
Consume more unsaturated fats — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats promote healthy blood cholesterol levels and a good heart and vascular health.
Sources of good fats includes:
• Oils from olive, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, and canola.
• Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, peanuts, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds.
• Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna.
Regular physical exercise and weight loss are important aspects of diabetes prevention. 5-10% weight loss in obese people with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus can help in preventing progression of diabetes mellitus.
At least 30 minutes daily moderate to severe intensity exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, biking or running on most days can be started. Resistance exercise can be done at least 2 to 3 times a week to increase strength, balance, and ability to maintain an active life. Resistance training includes weightlifting, yoga, and calisthenics.
Breaking up long bouts of inactivity, such as sitting at the computer, can help control blood sugar levels. Ensure to stand for a few minutes, walk around, or do some light activity every 30 minutes.
Diabetes mellitus causes great psychological distress not only to the patient but also to the whole family. Living with diabetes is not an easy task. It requires ongoing care and management, planning and preparation, and a lot of emotional strength.
Financial strain from chronic conditions can cause difficulty in a family dynamic. Distress caused by diabetes is common and can be dangerous when not addressed. You may feel anxious, frustrated, unmotivated, depressed, and begin to manage your diabetes poorly. While it’s very important to make sure that you get the support you need first and foremost, the emotional impact can also affect family and friends also needs to be addressed.
// Dr Manoj V Gedam, Specialist Endocrinology, Aster Clinic Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) & Al Khail Mall (Al Quoz
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