A quick overview on diabetes
Read on for 2-minute-read on the symptoms and effects of diabetes and the remedial measures to be taken
By Jyoti Gupta
17
Feb
2012
Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce a hormone called insulin, which is needed for the assimilation and utilisation of sugar.
Types
- Juvenile diabetes which develops since childhood
- Maturity–onset diabetes which develops in adult stage
- Gestational diabetes which affects pregnant women
Symptoms
- Unusual hunger
- Abnormal thirst
- Constant urination
- Fatigue
- Problems in vision
- Slow healing of wounds
Causes
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of exercise leading to obesity
Effects
Diabetes can affect the functioning of the kidneys, heart, eyes, nerves and other organs leading to other chronic diseases like
- Coronary heart disease
- Cataract and other vision defects
Remedial measures
- A very light diet comprising of fruits and vegetables, which is positive and health-giving to maintain optimal blood glucose levels
- A herbal drink like Bilva leaf juice is found to be very effective and can be taken early morning
- Morning walks should be a part of daily routine
- Yoga and pranayama also prove beneficial
- Avoid smoking and drinking habits
- Do not take unnecessary stress. Do meditation to keep your mind calm
- Avoid sweets made of refined sugar and fried food containing high cholesterol
- Check your blood glucose regularly to keep track
Effective foods
- Amla, jamun and bitter-gourd in powder form to be taken once or twice a day
- Seeds of jamun can be dried and powdered. This powder mixed in water can be taken 3-4 times a day to quench thirst and reduce the quantity of sugar in urine
- Juice of bitter gourd taken early morning helps in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels
- Fenugreek seeds have been found highly effective in the treatment and help in reducing the levels of glucose
- Tomato is a very good food for diabetics because of its low carbohydrate content
- Intake of water extract of channa enhances the utilization of glucose
- Groundnuts are valuable in diabetes
- Grapefruit can be taken 3 times a day
- Soyabean having no starch is an energy giving food
- Water obtained from soaking mango leaves overnight should be taken in the morning.
