Causes of Diabetes and Risk Factors

  • Diabetes
    Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body has difficulty regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar level.  The burden of diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in developing countries. While the causes are complex, but the increase is in large part due to rapid increases in overweight, including obesity and physical inactivity. There is good evidence that a large proportion of cases of diabetes and its complications can be prevented by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 1 November 2015

Are you at risk of developing diabetes?

Yes if you are:

  • 45 years of age or older
  • Overweight with a BMI (Body mass index) of 25 or over. 
  • Is your waist measurement more than 35cm (for women) and 40cm (for men)
  • Physically inactive
  • Have a close relative with diabetes
  • Have a history of gestational diabetes or delivering an overweight baby (> 9 pounds)
  • Have polycystic ovary syndrome
  • High triglycerides or low HDL (good) cholesterol
  • Have had abnormal blood sugar tests in the past
  • Have heart disease
  • Have acanthosis nigricans, a discoloration of the skin, which can be caused by insulin resistance 
Community
Diabetes
Condition
Diabetes
Changed
Wed, 07/26/2017 - 19:23

Stories

  • Cheela - Vegetable Omelette Recipe
    This is a vegetable omelette with a difference. You can rustle up this omelette at the drop of a hat on a summer’s day when you don’t feel like having an egg. Ingredients (Makes 6 portions) ½ cup (60g) rice flour ¼ cup whole wheat flour 1 tbsp refined flour 2 tbsp besan ½ cup buttermilk or as required 1 onion (large), minced   1 tomato, chopped  3 green chillies, chopped Few curry leaves, chopped  Salt to taste ½ tsp mustard seeds Pinch of cooking soda (optional) 1 tbsp oil…
  • Avocado In Lettuce Boats (6 servings)
    Elevated levels of blood sugar in diabetes increase the risk of elevated ‘bad’ cholesterol, triglycerides and other cardiovascular problems. Attempts to reduce these risk factors through medication and diet also reduce the level of ‘good’ cholesterol. Exercise and the presence of moderate amounts of monounsaturated fats in the diet help to increase ‘good’ cholesterol in our body. Avocado, also called “butter fruit” in some parts of India, is rich in monounsaturated fats and anti-oxidant Vitamin…
  • DOs & DON’Ts OF THE DIABETES DIET
    Diabetes management is not a one time fix. It requires sustainable lifestyle changes. Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator explains the dos and don’ts for eating well and keeping your blood sugar under control. Whether you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes or are a longstanding diabetes patient, your heart skips a beat while you’re waiting to see your blood glucose reading. You are keen to do all that it takes to bring down the blood sugar quickly – whether it is by omitting…
  • Your guide to low Glycaemic Index foods
    What is Glycaemic Index and why you need to be aware of it when planning meals - By Ujjwala Baxi, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. What is Glycaemic Index? Mr. Ram and Mr. Raghu are brothers with diabetes. The breakfast menu is mostly the same for both. The only difference is that Mr. Ram likes to have his butter on white bread whereas Mr. Raghu prefers it on multigrain bread. They both leave for work. Within a couple of hours, Mr. Ram feels hungry while Mr. Raghu is…
  • My mother’s life with diabetes
    A daughter and caregiver describes the toll diabetes took on her mother’s life and its impact on their family. By Padmini Chandrasekaran An accident or an afterthought, I was born in 1954 when my mother was 38 years old. I weighed almost 4kg and the exertions of a normal delivery must have exhausted my mother. Or so my parents thought, as after her delivery, my mother continued to be listless, tired and slightly irritable. She felt the urge to pass urine frequently…
  • Eat less, run more
    Mumbai-based Dr M.B. Bhide, 54, managed his diabetes by changing the way he lives. He is as busy as ever and diabetes is not getting in his way. Here are his tips. What kind of diabetes are you suffering from? Type 2 diabetes When were you diagnosed? I was diagnosed a year back. What symptoms did you have? I was frequently hungry and craved food. Did you put on a lot of weight? Not really. I weighed 72kg, which was a little more than ideal.  Is there diabetes in the family? Yes …
  • Saying no to rice
    Tamil Nadu resident R. Eswari, 54, talks about the lifestyle changes she made to keep diabetes under control.  What kind of diabetes are you suffering from? Type 2 diabetes When were you diagnosed? I was then 35 years old. Why did you get checked?  I was constantly feeling tired and had fainting episodes.  Is there a history of diabetes in your family? Yes. My mother had Type 2 diabetes. What is your present condition? My diabetes is under control.  What medications are…
  • Eating right for diabetes – it’s all about balance
    Eating mindfully is a critical part of diabetes management. As you know, diabetes affects a person’s ability to effectively convert the sugar in the blood to energy. This causes the sugar level in the blood to rise, leading to further complications affecting various parts of the body. But a diagnosis of diabetes does not have to mean hardship at the dinner table. With some thoughtful planning and a slight shift to healthier options, you can eat well and take pleasure in your food…
  • Move it
    Exercise is key to diabetes control, says Jayesh Shah (54), who has managed his condition effectively for the last 24 years. Here, he shares how to live well with diabetes (with no hard feelings). What kind of diabetes are you suffering from?                               Type 2 diabetes When were you diagnosed? Around the age of 30.  Is there a history of diabetes in your family? Yes, there is, on both…