World Diabetes Day: Precautions to be taken to avoid the disease

November 14 is marked as World Diabetes day. Let us understand how a simple component like glucose in the body turns deadly if not used properly. 

Diabetes is a disease in which the blood glucose or blood sugar levels are so high that it can cause harm to major functioning organs. 
Our food is the main source of glucose and glucose is used by the bodily cells as a source of energy. Glucose enters the cells with the help of insulin. 

There are various types of diabetes:

Type 1- Diabetes Mellitus (DM) results from the pancreas's failure to produce enough insulin. This form was previously referred to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) or "juvenile diabetes". The cause is unknown.

Type 2- It begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. As the disease progresses a lack of insulin may also develop. This form was previously referred to as "non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes". The most common cause is excessive body weight and not enough exercise.

Type 3- Gestational diabetes is the third main form and occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop high blood sugar levels.

Too much of unused glucose in the blood is very harmful and it can cause heart faillure, damage eyes, kidneys and nerves and also some body organs like limbs or fingers which might have to be removed. 

Precautions to be taken: 

As per various health experts, the basic thumbrule to keep diabetes at bay is to have regular morning breakfast. Consumption of carbohydrates should be optimised as per body activity. 
Small meals in regular intervals coupled with certain free hand exercises is the best precaustion to diabetes.