In modern times diabetes has become a common disease worldwide. A 2023 study shows that more than a hundred million people in India suffer from diabetes. Although it cannot be cured completely, it can be controlled with a few small but effective changes in our day-to-day lives and with proper medical guidance. Star Hospital, one of the top hospitals in Siliguri provides completely personalized expert guidance in this regard.
In this blog, we will shed light on the various types of diabetes and its symptoms and discuss what Dr. Debanjan Roy, an internal medicine specialist, recommends to his patients for controlling diabetes and living a healthy life.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a health condition which signifies that the level of glucose is high in a person’s blood, which is popularly known as a person having a high blood sugar levels. This condition can occur when our body produces less insulin or when our body cells become insulin resistant which causes unbalanced presence of glucose in blood.
Different types of diabetes
There are several types of diabetes, such as diabetes type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes , pre-diabetes etc.
1. Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body doesn't produce insulin. It often develops in children and young adults.
2. Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form, where the body either becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce insulin. It's often associated with obesity and lifestyle factors.
3. Gestational Diabetes:Occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth, but it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
4. Other Specific Types: These can include forms caused by genetic defects, hormonal disorders, or other medical conditions, such as secondary diabetes due to medications or diseases affecting the pancreas.
Among all these kinds type 1 and 2 are the most common ones and should not be ignored.
Symptoms of diabetes:
According to Dr. Roy the symptoms of diabetes can vary from one person to another depending on the type and that individual’s condition, but the common symptoms include:
- Increased thirst: Diabetic patients can feel increased amount of thirst which is often accompanied by dry mouth.
- Frequent urination:Particularly at night.
- Extreme hunger:Despite eating individual feels hungry.
- Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness and fatigue .
- Blurred vision: A diabetic patient can get blurry vision and which if not paid attention can lead to serious vision problems.
- Slow healing: Our body heals minor cuts and sores on it’s own but for a diabetic person this process takes longer time than it usually needed for a non-diabetic person.
- Unexplained weight loss:Particularly if the patient has Type 1 diabetes s/he can lose weight in an unhealthy way.
- Tingling and Numbness: Diabetes can effect human sensations for which the patient can feel numbness and feeling of tingling especially in hands or feet.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
Why should you not take it lightly?
While the symptoms may appear as bearable and not so threatening, diabetes can prove to be a life threatening disease as it increases the possibilities of many cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke and it also damages the kidney resulting in kidney failure requiring dialysis treatment, damages nerve, eyesight leading from blurred unclear vision to complete blindness and it can also cause many mental health related issues. Thus instead of ignoring the symptoms we should consult an expert so that we could avoid all these dangerous diseases.
Preventive measures:
Dr. Debanjan Roy reflects that it is an incurable disease but adding few healthy habits and following proper diet along with their medications can balance the glucose level. He suggests that individual should and must do regular exercise such as jogging, walking, cycling or any kind of cardio exercises which will significantly help in their weight management and they should be mindful of what they are eating. Foods that are high in saturated and trans fat, refined carbohydrates ( ex. rice, bread) and large amount of sugar such as sweets, beverages should not be consumed. Instead we can add whole grains (ex. Oats, brown rice), leafy greens and vegetables which are high in fibre and low in protein. A diabetic person should also limit their alcohol intake as it can increase the damage and decrease the effectiveness of the medication. Along with a healthy life style one should always do the regular health check up so as to track the seriousness of the disease.
Why choose star hospital?
Star hospital Siliguri is the best hospital in Siliguri. It is the place where you can find the best doctor along with well equipped qualified team and Dr. Debanjan Roy is one of the best doctors with eight years of experience in medical field.
Facilities provided by star hospital: Star hospital provides
- 24/7 emergency service
- A team of experienced professionals consisting doctors and nurse
- Patient – centred care
- Precise Diagnostic : Star hospital delivers timely, cost-effective, and premium diagnostic care within secure and safe environments with full confidence.
- Doctors-On-Call : You can count on our 24/7 Doctor-on-Call Service to provide top-notch healthcare services anytime, any day of the week ensuring that you receive the best possible care.