The Story of Sugar
Glucose, better known as sugar, is the main source of energy in your body. When you consume food, it gets digested and the glucose from the food enters your bloodstream. Insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas, helps the glucose enter the body's cells for energy production. However, if insulin is not produced in the body as it should, the glucose entering the cells gets affected and the blood sugar level goes up. 

Relation Between Sugar and Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder where the blood sugar levels are higher than the normal amounts. Diabetes can cause a lot of harm to the other vital organs and functioning of the body. Type 2 diabetes affects millions of people worldwide and unmanaged diabetes can lead to heart diseases, blindness, and kidney problems. 

Diabetes Stats From World Health Organization (Who)

• The prevalence of people with diabetes has been on a rise in low income countries
• The total prevalence has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, with more prevalence in adults above 18 years of age
• Diabetes is a deadly disease since it remains the leading cause of blindness, heart and kidney failures and also lower limb amputations

It’s better to prevent diabetes than to manage it. There are many steps you can take to prevent diabetes, read on to find out.

1. Keep a Check on the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
These signs could indicate type 2 diabetes, however, having a few signs and symptoms doesn't definitely mean you have diabetes. It can only be confirmed through screening tests.

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst and hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow healing of wounds
• Tiredness
• Genital itching 
• Blurred vision

2. Know Your Risks for Developing Diabetes
Having these risk factors can increase your chances of developing diabetes in your lifetime.

• Family medical history (parent or sibling having diabetes)
• Being obese
• Living a sedentary lifestyle
• Existing hypertension
• Having PCOS
• Having a history of heart disease

3. Tests for Detecting Diabetes and Other Associated Complications
Diabetes can go undetected if you do not get a checkup done for blood sugar. The below mentioned tests are used for diagnosing diabetes and its complications:

• Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1C)
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Serum Lipid Profile
• Blood Urea 
• Creatinine
• Glutamic-oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) and Glutamic-pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Eye Checkup

4. Diabetes and Covid-19 Complications
People with diabetes have a weaker immune system, it can affect the white blood cells’ ability to fight the Covid infection. It can also suppress the immune system and make one more vulnerable to lung problems.

5. Ideal Lifestyle and Habits for Preventing Diabetes
Your lifestyle is an important factor in preventing diabetes and other critical health conditions. 
Be physically active, do the exercises that keep you motivated to continue

• Drink ample amount of water throughout the day
• Manage your weight to a healthy BMI
• Consume a high fiber diet and have antioxidant based foods
• Quit smoking to reduce your risk
• Cut out foods that are high in refined sugar and carbs 
• Avoid processed foods and alcohol
• Eat healthy meals with controlled portions
• Create a sleep routine for yourself
• Keep your vitamin D levels optimized

6. Get Full Body Health Checkup Done Every Year
Annual complete body health checkups are important for early detection. Remember, early detection helps in prevention, management and treatment of all non communicable diseases like diabetes. In case you have any of the risk factors mentioned above, get your diabetes screening done every 6 months.

Are you at high risk of developing diabetes? 
Find out now, book your master health checkup package at a location convenient to you.

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