Diabetes: Symptoms and prevention strategies

Diabetes refers to the condition of your blood carrying an excess of sugar. Sugar is a source of energy, and when it is ingested, the body secretes a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps to “open” cells so that the glucose can enter the cells and energy can be released. Now when there is a shortage of insulin or if insulin is unable to open, the cells for energy is released. The sugar which is ingested is not processed and remains in the bloodstream. This causes diabetes.

Although there are different types of diabetes, the symptoms for each of the types are more or less the same. Most of the time, diabetes occurs in people who do not show any of these symptoms at all.

Symptoms
If you happen to show one or two symptoms from the below list, then it’s best you get a blood test done first thing.

  • Excessive thirst on a frequent basis
  • Increased appetite (sensation of hunger even after large meals)
  • Excess urination
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Blurred vision

Small changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of getting diabetes by a long way.

What Is The Normal Blood Sugar Range?

The blood sugar levelis lowest in the morning and the blood sugar level at this time is the Fasting level. The normal blood sugar range for a nondiabetic person at this time is between 3.9 to 5.5 mmoI/L, while thenormal blood sugar range for a diabetic person is between 4.4 to 7.2 mmoI/L.

The blood sugar levelrises after a meal, so the test is usually done after 2 hours of consuming food. Thenormal blood sugar range will change in this case. The normal blood sugar range for a nondiabetic person is between 6.5 to 7.8 mmoI/L and the normal blood sugar level for a diabetic person is approximately 10.0 mmoI/L.

How to prevent diabetes
You can prevent diabetes or at least reduce the risk by taking certain preventive measures. If you are prone to hereditary diabetes, you need to take certain precautions to delay the onset of diabetes. Here are a few preventive measures you can follow.

Cut down on the sugar
When you consume more sugar, the body has got to produce more and more insulin to burn all that sugar into energy. Now, if you don’t give the body so much work by reducing your sugar intake, you are reducing the risk of increased sugar levels in your blood.

Work out whenever you can
Studies have shown that regular engagement in physical activity improves the sensitivity of your insulin. This means that lesser amounts of insulin are required for your body to maintain the sugar levels.

Water all the way
Set water as your go-to beverage whenever you are thirsty. Replacing those sodas and carbonated drinks with water will reduce the amount of sugar you consume. If you consume a lot of drinks with high sugar content, you increase your chances of getting LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults). Treatment for this takes much longer to be effective than the original diabetes itself.

Lose weight
If you feel that you are overweight or that you have a bit too much on your waistline, create a workout regime and stick to it. Make a plan to change your diet and to hit the gym regularly. When you are overweight, the excess fat around your waist, also called visceral fats, promote insulin resistance which decreases the sensitivity. This increases your risk of getting diabetes.

Drop the cigarette
Research has shown that smokers have a higher chance of getting diabetes than nonsmokers. If you smoke, even occasionally, try to break that habit. Five or ten years down the road your risk of acquiring diabetes will be the same as that of a nonsmoker.

There are several other ways to prevent diabetes. But the most important question is, are you willing to do what it takes to prevent diabetes? Everything worth having comes at a price, so decide to pay that price and reduce your risks of getting diabetes and live a longer and healthier life.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Tips to keep your powerchair or electric scooter up and running for long
    Both powerchairs and electric scooters receive power from batteries to keep them running. It is a good practice to leave them for overnight charging to use them the following day. Even though powerchairs and electric scooters are built keeping the long rugged usage in mind, maintenance plays an important role to keep them in their best shape and in-service for a long period. Like other equipment, these battery-powered vehicles come with a user manual, highlighting all the important maintenance points. You can learn a lot about your ride's condition through the sounds it makes. Following are some important maintenance tips that will keep your mobility device up and running for a long time: Listen closely Being an electrically powered vehicle, both powerchair and electric scooter produce some kind of mechanical and electrical sounds. These sounds are natural, which result because of an under-the-hood mechanism. Take notice of any unusual kind of sounds or noises made by the vehicle and contact the service provider in case you are not able to seek out and resolve the problem yourself. Keep it dry Every battery-powered equipment needs to be kept away from moisture. As the presence of water can result in corrosion of the electric parts, keep your electric scooter or powerchair dry at all times. Keep a clean piece of cloth in the back pocket of your ride to wipe off any water spills and splashes that accidentally splatters on it. You can use protective covers and shrouds to safeguard the vehicle against unnecessary water spills. Check tires regularly Tires are an essential part of a vehicle. Without them, a vehicle cannot get anywhere. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a regular check on them. Blowouts are common, so you need to keep one or two spare tires at home. An extra inner tube might also come handy in the worst-case scenario. You must take care of tires, depending on their built. While solid tires need to be inspected regularly for tread wear and tear, pneumatic tires are required to be kept under close watch for a drop in pressure. Drain new batteries and give them a full charge Most battery-powered equipment comes with batteries having about half of the maximum charge capacity. Before charging the batteries to their fullest, exhaust them completely and then charge them fully. As batteries in consideration are deep-cycle batteries, a full charge is required to take full advantage of their peak charging range. Charge regularly at night Whether you drain the batteries completely or barely use them during the day, you ought to fully charge them at night. Regular charging helps batteries to deliver a longer in-service time. Keep the battery depletion level below 80 percent Avoiding battery depletion above 80 percent prolongs their life. Complete draining of batteries forces them to lose their power quickly. Batteries that are completely drained on a regular basis, needs replacement almost once in a year.
  • How to pick the best cell phone carrier for your small business
    Though there aren’t many wireless providers that you need to select from, each firm offers an array of packages, services, the best cell phones to buy, rates, etc. Calling, texting, and data are not the only options now that mobile Internet for tablets, laptops, and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots are available. If you are seeking a reliable mobile carrier to keep your employees connected and productive, consider this cell phone buying guide. You will know the key features and concealed charges to look for when you are picking the best cell phones' provider. Evaluate your requirements: Check to understand the kind of services your business needs. E.g., does your staff need only basic talk or texting, then feature cell phones should be all right. However, if they need email, online access, and mobile apps, then the option for a smartphone is the best. Do remember, even though you can get a smartphone while taking a contract, you would need to commit to a data plan for at least $30 per number. Does the provider offer a cell phone and Internet service for business? Then get a quote for a package that bundles wired and wireless service could be worthwhile. Consider local carriers: Of course, you have heard of the providers of the top 10 best cell phones, but the chances are that local carriers also serve the same area. Most of these firms don’t limit network coverage to your local area alone but permit free roaming throughout the country via contracts with major networks. But most don’t offer international roaming. Check the coverage of well-known local carriers and consider prepaid smartphones as they can save a lot of money. Study agreements and fees: Most mobile service providers look for ways to add to their contracts and fees. They often pull you in with discounts on cell phones and then reel you in with their contract requirement -usually two years, for each line you buy. Decide if you want a long-term agreement and then check if you can switch carriers without paying early-termination fees for every line.
  • 7 popular dog food brands to choose from
    Taking a walk down the supermarket's pet food aisle can be extremely confusing as there are numerous brands selling similar types of products. Moreover, manufacturers advertise labels such as grain-free, healthy-weight, and human-grade, which add to the indecision. Therefore, before buying dog food, make sure that you talk to your vet, check the product for its ingredients and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) accreditation. To make your work easier, here are some of the best dog food brands. Blue Buffalo The Blue Buffalo manufactures food for both, cats and dogs. They have a wide variety of dry kibble, wet-canned and treats for dogs. Moreover, they have a special line of dog food, i.e., Wilderness-Meat-Rich and Freedom-Grain-Free. Their dog food is highly popular for its great taste and nutritional content. Its recipes involve ingredients such as whole ground barley, chicken, whole ground brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and tomato pomace. These have essential nutrients such as healthy fats and carbohydrates, vitamins A and B complex, protein, minerals, and beta-carotene. Royal Canin One of the top dog food brands, Royal Canin has an extensive line of products for pets of different ages, breeds, and dietary requirements. This brand hails from France, but it has become extremely popular in various countries, including ours. Some of the key ingredients that they use in their dog food products are brewer’s and brown rice, chicken fat, chicken meal, corn and wheat gluten. Every pet food product by Royal Canin Pet Foods come with a blend of approximately 50 nutrients including protein, minerals, and essential vitamins. Some veterinarians suggest Royal Canin products for dogs suffering from urinary tract disorders. Purina Purina is one of the oldest top dog food brands making dry foods, wet foods, and treats for cats and dogs. Started in 1894, they have multiple sub-brands such as Purina ONE, Cat Chow, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Beneful, and Kitten Chow. They produce foods for dogs of all ages. Their recipes have an excellent nutritional content which is high in protein (consisting of meat), antioxidants, vitamins, minerals like calcium and omega fatty acids. Pedigree Like other best dog food brands, Pedigree also produces pet dry and canned food based on the dog’s age and size. The manufacturer creates food products to target canine health problems such as oral problems, obesity, joint pain, and food allergies. Furthermore, they have a great line of dog treats and snacks. Their food ingredients usually cover meat, whole corn, corn gluten meal, bone meal, animal fat, and poultry by-product meal. Their formulation is rich in good carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Taste of the Wild The Taste of the Wild produces varieties of dry or canned food for puppies, adult, pregnant or nursing, and senior dogs. They offer different meat types in their products such as beef, chicken, venison, trout, salmon, and lamb. Furthermore, they also include ingredients such as lentils, garbanzo beans, peas, tomato pomace, and egg products. The dog food by Taste of the Wild is rich in minerals, Vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, and D, protein, fats and folic acid. Freshpet Freshpet is known for their refrigerator dog food which contains no preservatives. You can find a variety of dog meals as well as snacks and treats produced by Freshpet. Their dog food ingredients typically include 100% naturally raised meat such as chicken, turkey, beef, salmon and ocean whitefish. Likewise, they have fiber-rich vegetables such as peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Their recipes are rich in protein, antioxidants, and essential vitamins. Freshpet also sells cat food. Nutro Dog Food Like Freshpet, Nutro Dog also produces dog foods using only natural ingredients. They have many labels under them such as Max Cat, Greenies, Perfect Portions, Farm’s Harvest and Rotations. They manufacture treats, wet and dry foods according to the life stage, breed, and its size. Their recipes contain ingredients such as venison, chicken, salmon, and lamb. They also have a Limited Ingredient Diet for dogs who suffer from food allergies.
  • 5 effective diet tips to combat IBS
    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), associated with symptoms like constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, or diarrhea, can be a regular hindrance to your day-to-day activities and can be extremely uncomfortable. However, an individual stands a great chance to improve and manage this problem through proper food. In fact, one of the useful IBS treatment includes the right kind of diet plan.
    • Avoid fatty foods Intake of animal fat should be reduced as these contain saturated fat which affects the gut. Also, products like butter, cheesecakes, and pastries should be cut off. An individual should consider switching these unsaturated fats with fats found in vegetable oils like rapeseed, sunflower, avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
    • Include more fiber One of the best IBS treatments is to keep a check on the fiber intake. In fact, this is the most important nutrient to manage IBS. Oats, barley, and beans contain plenty of fiber.
    • Drink more water As the digestion of fiber requires water, 8 to 10 glasses of water on a daily basis is essential. Fluids like herbal drinks and fruit juice will work as well. Water and fluids as the IBS treatment help to cure constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, etc.
    • Reduce foods that have resistant starch Foods such as oats, potatoes, corn, and beans have starch that is resistant to digestion. These foods reach the colon unimpaired and are fermented by the gut bacteria. Though the resistant starch is said to improve blood glucose levels, regulate insulin, lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides, they are not tolerated by people with IBS.
    • Add more protein Consuming three servings of protein every day is important in the irritable bowel syndrome treatment. Eat adequate proteins in the form of fish, meat, eggs, dried beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, soy milk, nuts, and pulses. Some whole pulses can aid in case of moderate loose motion. Maintaining a diet chart will help you to avoid food that aggravates the condition.
    About 10 to 25% of the US population is being affected by IBS syndrome every year, and common treatments for IBS does not cure the condition. However, the condition can be managed with a carefully tailored diet plan suitable for you.
  • Top Five Refrigerators under $500
    If you are you shopping for a refrigerator under a specific budget, Checkout both online deals and the ones offered by retail stores. Do a background check on the best models available within your budget. You may find attractive refrigerator deals after a thorough search. However, before you take the plunge, look at the top five refrigerators priced under $500. Hotpoint 28-Inch Wide 18.1 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator This refrigerator has reversible door hinges for opening in the right or left direction. The temperature controllers are provided in the front. It has ample storage along with adjustable wire with shelves and clear crisper drawers. Amana 17.6 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator This refrigerator, which also comes in white color, and has reversible door options. This model has a single knob, upfront temperature controls, and lots of storage, including two full-width adjustable wire shelves, a full-width bottom drawer, and crisper drawers for keeping fruits and vegetables fresh. GE 28-Inch Width 16.6 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator GE refrigerator is available in two colors, white and black. It comes with a reversible door swing so that you can manage your space. It also provides clear crisper drawers, adjustable wire shelves, and temperature controls in the front. Frigidaire 14.8 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator Frigidaire top freezer refrigerator is also available in white color.  The key features of this refrigerator are an icemaker, single-knob temperature control, and two humidity-controlled crisper drawers. Again, at this price range, this fridge provides ample space along with two sliding wire shelves and enough room in the door shelf. Danby 10 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator If you are looking for counter-depth refrigerators, this is your best bet. It has glass shelves and a "Frost Free" operation. Additionally, it is compact, has reversible door hinge for left or right-hand door swing, tall bottle storage, adjustable glass shelves, and wire shelves in the freezer. Do not miss one among the top refrigerator deals such as this. Don't forget to keep an eye on refrigerators sales that are carried out by a number of e-commerce websites and retail stores.
  • All you need to know about cargo vans vs pickup trucks
    The pickup truck has long been seen as the prototypical work vehicle in the United States. Nothing says ‘rugged individualism’ like a truck. But the traditional truck seems to be outpaced now by an unconventional yet smart choice: cargo vans. Even a few years ago, there weren’t many options for cargo vans and they weren’t in their best shape and design. The domestics were built on top of a heavy pickup-truck chassis with old engine technology that guzzled gas, and their interiors were noted for their cramped cockpits and narrow cargo bays. For employees trying to find parts, make deliveries and keep cargo organized, these old cargo vans were painful compromises. Meanwhile, manufacturers poured money and research into the engines, cabs, and capabilities of full-size pickup trucks—and sold them to millions of businesses. But the cargo van has several benefits over the pickup truck. Today there are dozens of cargo van options, if you count all the possible configurations among Nissan’s NV, Ford’s Transit and Mercedes’ revamped Sprinter, plus two Ram ProMasters. One of the most important benefits offered by a cargo van is that it is enclosed. Thus, it offers more theft protection so you don't have to carry your tools inside at every job-site or keep a close watch on your vehicle when you're stopping for lunch. Also, a van's enclosed cargo area keeps its load safe from bad weather, which is a big deal for drivers in some professions, who carry a lot of items that shouldn't get wet. A cargo van also allows you to be a lot more organized than you would be in a pickup. While you'll probably resort to just throwing tools in your pickup bed until you can get home and unload them, cargo vans usually offer interior organizational features such as shelves or drawers that can help you stay organized as they are easily customizable. Even though a cargo van might not be the first or obvious choice for your business, if your line of work requires or values cargo security and all-weather protection, mobile workshop capability, or the ability to carry large or bulky payloads, a cargo van could prove to be a more practical choice than a pickup.