It is a lifelong disease in which the body is not able to manage high blood sugar level in blood.
This happens because either the insulin is not produced properly in the body or the body becomes insulin resistance or both.
Types of diabetes :
Type – 1 Diabetes
It is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system destroys the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. So the body produces a small amount or no insulin and the person has to take insulin injections for life. It usually happens to children, teenagers or young adults, but can occur at any age.
Type – 2 Diabetes
It is a metabolic disorder in which the body becomes insulin does not work properly or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Due to this, the blood sugar level rise above normal levels. It usually occurs in adults but is now common in younger people due to lifestyle factor. It can be managed with diet, exercise, tablets and sometimes insulin.
Pre-diabetes
It is a condition in which a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is a warning which shows that the body has started developing insulin resistance. The good news is that it can be reversible with proper diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
High blood sugar over time damages the body usually the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels.
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Test
It measure the amount of sugar left in your body when someone had nothing to eat or drink from atleast last 8-12 hours.
| Result | Fasting Blood Sugar Level (FBSL) |
| Normal | 70-100 mg/dL |
| Prediabetes | 100-115 mg/dL |
| Diabetes | Above 115 mg/dL |
Post Prandial (PP) Test
This test measures blood sugar exactly 2 hours after eating a meal. This test shows how well the body has handled the sugar from food.
Note : The calculation of time is done from the first byte of food.
| Result | 2 Hour PP Value |
| Normal | Less than 140 mg/dL |
| Prediabetes | 140-160 mg/dL |
| Diabetes | Above 160 mg/dL |
HbA1c Test
It is a blood test which measures the average blood sugar levels over the last three months.
| Result | HbA1c Report |
| Normal | Less than 5.7% |
| Prediabetes | 5.7%-6.4% |
| Diabetes | More than 6.5% |
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
After fasting, the patient drinks a glucose and blood sugar is tested at 2 hours.
| Result | 2 Hour PP Value |
| Normal | Less than 140 mg/dL |
| Prediabetes | 140-160 mg/dL |
| Diabetes | Above 160 mg/dL |
Random Blood Sugar (RBS)
In this the blood sugar test is done at any time of the day and if the test result in more than 200 mg/dL then the diabetes is confirmed.
Diet
For a diabetic and pre-diabetic patient fixing diet should be the first priority.
Food a diabetic patient should eat
1. Fibre-rich foods such as whole grains (oats etc.), whole wheat chapati, beans, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables (especially leafy greens)
2. Low glycaemic fruits such as apple, guava, pear, orange, berries, papaya.
3. Lean (Low Fat and High proteins) Proteins such as Eggs, Chicken, Fish, Tofu, Low Fat Paneer, Beans, Lentils
4. Healthy Fats such as nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds (such as chia, flax, pumpkin), olive oil, limited mustard oil.
5. Non starchy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato, cucumber, capsicum, bottle gourd (lauki)
6. Adequate water and unsweetened drinks (coconut water, unsweetened curd, skim milk).
Food a diabetic patient should avoid
- Sugar and sweets – Table sugar, Cakes, pastries, Chocolate, Ice Cream, Sweets (Halwa, Laddoo, Gulab Jamun)
- Sweet beverages – Soft drinks, sweet lassi, fruit juices (even natural ones), energy drinks
- High carb refined foods – white rice, Maida, White bread, Pasta, Noodles, Biscuits/cookies
- Fried & Oily foods – Samosa, pakora, chips, fast foods (pizza, burgers)
- High fats and processed foods – Processed meat, Bakery items, Excess Ghee / Butter
- High salt foods – Pickles, Chips, Ready made snacks.