New Delhi: Glucose is an essential energy source for all living cells of the human body, which is programmed in a way wherein the glucose levels in the blood are maintained at an optimal level through various hormones.

Blood glucose levels are normally referred to as blood sugar levels in our day to day life. Diabetes is a condition wherein blood glucose levels are abnormally high. Consistently high glucose levels cause damage to various organs of the human body in the long run.

‘Diabetic Retinopathy’ is one such condition wherein abnormally high blood glucose or blood sugar levels cause slow, progressive and long-standing damage to the eyes.

Diabetes has now assumed the title of a silent global pandemic. With India set to become the diabetic capital of the world, the threat of visual loss due to diabetic retinopathy has gained massive proportions.

To understand how diabetes impacts the eyes, let us ? first understand the structure of the human eye. The human eye has structures and functions roughly equivalent to those of a simple camera. Similar to the light sensitive of a camera, the human eye has a light-sensitive structure called the retina.

It is this retina or the light sensitive structure of the human eye that is most adversely affected by diabetes. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy or is also referred to as diabetic eye disease in common understanding.

The advent of diabetic retinopathy simply starts as the appearance of small bleeding spots or “microaneurysms” on the surface of the retina. This is the initial stage of the disease or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, wherein the vision remains reasonably good despite having an abnormality.

The retinal blood vessels eventually develop leaks that cause the retinal tissue to “swell up like a sponge” (also called macular edema) It is this stage wherein an individual’s vision starts getting affected and prompts her to seek medical attention.

Treatments like the application of laser spots to the retina or instilling injections into the eye at this stage are very effective if instituted in time.

If the blood sugar levels continue to remain uncontrolled, the retina suffers from larger bleeding spots and blood may entirely fill up the jelly inside the eye causing a sudden loss of vision. Many patients go undetected until this stage of the disease because they miss undergoing an eye check-up while they suffer from diabetes all these years.

In the later stages of the retina starts getting crumpled and this results in a near-permanent loss of vision and blindness. Major surgery is then required to remove the blood and fix the retina back to its original position. Despite multiple major surgeries, only a few individuals may gain back their original vision.

As the diabetic eye disease progresses through the late stages, the microscopic damage to the cells of the retina leads to permanent structural and functional changes that, unfortunately, cannot be reversed.

Early detection of diabetic retinopathy and early treatment is hence, the key to preventing permanent visual loss due to diabetic eye disease.

It is strongly recommended to get a retina evaluation for every diabetic individual, at least once in a year. This retina evaluation is performed by an eye doctor who is a retina specialist and usually takes about an hour at the doctor’s clinic.

Long-standing diabetes, poor blood sugar control, associated hypertension, and deranged lipid pro? These are the most important risk factors for the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. Hence, all diabetics must have regular evaluations with the physician.

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African Americans with sleep apnea are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, new research has suggested.

The study has shown that sleep apnea, when a person’s breathing stops and starts while they sleep, aggravates blood sugar levels.

If left untreated, this can lead to type 2 diabetes, a condition that is already more prevalent among the African American community. Findings suggest that black men are 1.5 times more likely than white men, and black women are two times more likely than white women, to develop type 2 diabetes.

The data was collected for the Jackson Heart Study and involved nearly 800 African American people who had undergone home sleep apnea tests.

Duration, efficiency, night-to-night variability and multiple disruptions during sleep were analysed. The sleeping patterns were divided into different groups, which were regular sleepers, individuals with mild sleep apnea, moderate sleep apnea, and severe sleep apnea.

Among the participants, 25% had type 2 diabetes, 20% reported that they took diabetes medication, and around 57% were diagnosed with sleep apnea but had not been given any treatment for the condition.

Of those who had severe sleep apnea, 14% had higher fasting blood glucose levels compared with the people who did not have sleep apnea, which was also associated with high HbA1c levels.

The people in the study who had experienced poor sleep fragmentation and varied sleep patterns they were also more likely to have increased blood glucose levels.

Among the individuals who did not have diabetes, disturbed sleep was associated with higher insulin resistance.

Lead author of the study Yuichiro Yano said: “The study underscores the importance of developing interventions to promote regular sleep schedules, particularly in those with diabetes. It also reaffirms the need to improve the screening and diagnosis of sleep apnea, both in African Americans and other groups.”

Previous research has also found that sleep patterns are linked to cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. This latest finding has shown that focussing on good, quality sleep could help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes among the African American community.

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Fibre digests slowly, thus enabling a gradual release of sugar in the bloodstream, thus keeping blood sugar levels in control.

Diabetes is a metabolic condition that is afflicting millions across the globe and has become a major cause of concern in the world of health and nutrition. If a 2018 study by The Lancet is to be believed, about 98 million Indians are at risk of developing diabetes by the year 2030. Diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are not in control. If the fluctuations are too frequent you must consult your doctor immediately. Diabetes has been linked with kidney failure, obesity, and cardiac problems. Diabetes occurs when your body is not able to produce enough insulin or your body is not able to respond to the insulin produced. While it is tough to reverse diabetes as a condition, you can keep your blood sugar levels in check by taking some precautions. Making sure your diet contains little to no refined sugar goods and trans-fats are a way to keep the surge at bay. It is also a good idea to have a wholesome, fibre-rich breakfast. Fibre digests slowly, thus enabling a gradual release of sugar in the bloodstream, thus keeping blood sugar levels in control.

Diabetes Management With Cinnamon And Oats

This cinnamon-oatmeal pancake is ideal for those who are diabetics. Both the star ingredients in this recipe have anti-diabetic properties.

According to the book, ‘Healing Foods’ by DK Publishing House, “cinnamon is a digestive aid that helps normalize levels of both glucose and triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood, reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease”.

Oatmeal is a kind of course flour made with ground oats. It is easily available in markets nowadays. It can be used to make a variety of dishes and serves as a good alternative to maida for dieters. Oats combine the goodness of both protein and fibre. Both induce a sense of satiety and keep blood sugar fluctuations at bay. Oats are also incredibly helpful in managing weight-loss.

This Cinnamon-Oatmeal pancake recipe uses no refined sugar, hence makes for an ideal choice for those on a diabetes diet. If you wish you can leave out honey or maple syrup from the mix as well. Make sure you do not have too many of these pancakes. Excess of anything may wreak havoc on your health. So practice moderation and take good care of your health.
 

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If left uncontrolled, diabetes can affect different organs. Diabetics need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels to fight the complications linked with it. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, here are some tips for you.

Diabetes is a long-term condition which primarily affects your blood sugar levels. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can affect your vision, kidneys, heart health and much more. Diabetics need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels to fight the complications linked with it. When newly diagnosed with diabetes, many don’t know what to do. You can maintain healthy blood sugar levels with simple modifications in diet and lifestyle. Here are a few steps you should follow if you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes.

Diagnosis with diabetes: Tips to manage diabetes

1. Weight loss

If you are overweight you need to lose weight to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Unhealthy weight can increase the risk of several diseases including diabetes. You need to achieve a healthy BMI to reduce the risk of diabetes as well as to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. To lose weight you can involve some exercises which will also leave a positive impact on your blood sugar levels.

2. Make necessary dietary changes

Your diet plays an important role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Certain foods can help controlling blood sugar levels whereas others can raise blood sugar levels. You should consider the impact of food consumed on your blood sugar levels before adding them to your diet. You should also study the glycemic index of various foods.

3. Keep a check on your blood sugar levels

Diabetes is about managing healthy blood sugar levels. You should check your blood sugar levels regularly. It will help you plan your meals and activities throughout the day. Too many fluctuations in blood sugar levels should be handled by medical practitioners.

4. Medications

Diabetes requires constant management. Your doctor will prescribe you certain medications to fight diabetes. Along with healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle, you must follow the prescription strictly.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Childhood obesity is a complex health issue and its leads to several critical health problems. Children with obesity face four times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to children with normal weight. Other Obesity-related health risks include metabolic syndrome, hypertension, coronary heart disease, bone problems, deranged lipid profile and obstructive sleep apnoea. Obesity has its adverse effects on health as well as the psychology of children. Moreover, it has certain long- term health effects.

Childhood Obesity: The Current Scenario

Children and adolescents who are obese in their childhood are most likely to be obese as adults. As in India, it is one of the fastest growing problems; prevention for it must be taken before hand for the children. The causes of excess weight gain in children are similar to those in adults, including factors such as a person’s behaviour and genetic makeup. Childhood obesity is a condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his or her age and height.

According to the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, nearly 20 % school children in India are obese. Methods to determine body fat directly are difficult. the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. For children and adolescents, overweight and obesity are defined using age and sex specific normograms for body mass index (BMI). Children with BMI equal to or exceeding the age-gender-specific 95th percentile are defined obese.

In 2016, World Health Organisation’s (WHO) commission termed childhood obesity ‘an exploding nightmare’ as it finds 41 million under-fives overweight or obese. Many children are growing up in environments encouraging weight gain and obesity. According to the WHO Commission, the number of children under five who are overweight or obese has risen to 41 million, from 31 million in 1990. The statistics mean that 6.1% of under-fives were overweight or obese in 2014, compared with 4.8% in 1990. The number of overweight children in lower middle-income countries like India more than doubled over the same period, from 7.5 million to 15.5 million. Nearly 48% of all overweight and obese children aged under five lived in Asia, and 25% in Africa.

Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes In Children

There is an alarming rate of increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes among children with obesity and those with a family history of the condition. Lower income and ethnic minority status are associated with both obesity and type 2 diabetes in children.

Children with type 2 diabetes do not achieve optimal glycaemic control, and are at high risk for later health complications. Obesity and type 2 diabetes represent significant public health issues. They impose a heavy burden on society because the condition is common and costly to treat. Studies indicate that children with type 2 diabetes are prone to develop serious diabetes-related health complications relatively early in adulthood, contributing to decreased life expectancy.

It is clearly recognized that type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and the duration of the disease predicts complications and mortality. As such, it is reasonable to conclude that children with type 2 diabetes may be facing a grim future unless they seek comprehensive treatment for diabetes and obesity. Preventing our children and youth from getting diabetes and treating it aggressively once diagnosed should be a public health priority.

Screening Is Important

Overweight children who have a body weight greater than 120% of the ideal for height, and anyone who has family history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension or polycystic ovarian syndrome shouold be screened. Screening should begin at age 10 or at the onset of puberty whichever comes first. Screening should be done every other year. Childhood obesity, also known as paediatric obesity usually is self- diagnosable, as the weight of the child increases abnormally. Lab tests or imaging are often required for tracking the condition medically. Maintaining a healthy diet and physical activity levels are important for preventing obesity and consequent diseases.

Managing Childhood Obesity

Schools can play an important role in establishing an environment that supports healthful lifestyle habits to encourage healthy eating and regular physical activity. Schools have the opportunity to both educate students about these behaviours and provide opportunities for them to be practised. An effort should be made to increase the number of fruits and vegetables served during break time in schools.

Treatment of childhood obesity depends on the child’s age and existing medical conditions. Treatment includes changes in the diet and regular exercise. The goal for obesity treatment is to maintain healthy weight. Depending on a child’s existing health complications, treatment may involve a multidisciplinary team. The team will include the family physician, dietitian, counsellor or physical therapist and in some extensive or refractory cases bariatric surgery/ weight loss surgery can be considered.

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