There are different types of diabetes, with type 2 being the most common one affecting the individuals. If left untreated, diabetes may lead to various problems like chest pain, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems (blindness, cataracts and glaucoma), nerve damage and skin problems. In some cases, Alzheimer’s disease has also been noticed.

International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that 7.29 crores Indians were diagnosed with diabetes in 2017. It has been presumed that this number will significantly increase by 2030. Like many other conditions, diabetes was well documented in Ancient Hindu writings which described the urine of diabetics attracted black ants and flies. It dates back to several thousands of years from now, where Indian physician Sushruta mentioned that diabetes results in the sweet taste of urine which was the key for its diagnosis for several centuries.

However, the name ‘diabetes mellitus’ was first coined by T. Willis in 1674. After this, the quest to decipher and understand diabetes began which ultimately leads to the development of insulin. Arguably, insulin became the savior for diabetics and considered as the best option available for managing diabetes. As there is no cure for diabetes till date, but it can be managed by understanding, adapting and monitoring this century-old epidemic.

What is Diabetes and what are its Different Types?

Diabetes is a condition which increases glucose (sugar) levels in our blood causing myriads of problems. Glucose is our main source of energy which we obtain from the food we eat.

Why glucose level increases in our blood?

To understand this, we have to first understand the insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose to get into the cells of our body so that they can get the energy. In diabetes, either our pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or our body doesn’t use insulin well (insulin resistance) causing too much glucose in our blood and preventing the cells to take the energy. Although, there is not any cure for diabetes, but it can be managed by eating right foods, physical activity, medicines and others which we will discuss later in this article.

What are the Types of Diabetes?

Among different types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes are the most common ones. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% overall cases of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

In this form of diabetes, the body makes very little or no insulin. It occurs because our own immune system attacks the cells of pancreas responsible for making insulin. Commonly, it is diagnosed in children but can appear at any age. Individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes are required to take insulin every day.

Type 2 Diabetes

It is one of the most common forms of diabetes affecting millions of people across the globe. In this condition, our pancreas secretes insulin but our body isn’t able to use this insulin well. This can occur at any age including childhood. However, type 2 diabetes commonly occurs in middle-age and older people.

Gestational Diabetes

It occurs in pregnant women and in the majority of cases, it goes away once the baby is born. However, if you had gestational diabetes, then there is a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in your life.

What are My Chances of having Type 2 Diabetes?

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes can vary according to your genetics and lifestyle. You may develop type 2 diabetes if you are having a family history of diabetes, aged 45 or older, are overweight or had a high blood pressure (b.p). There is also an increased chance of type 2 diabetes if you are suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome or had gestational diabetes. In many cases, physical inactivity and prediabetes can also lead to type 2 diabetes. Smoking and drinking alcohol is also considered as a risk factor of developing diabetes.

Now, what is prediabetes?

It is a condition where your sugar levels in the body are more than normal but is not high enough to be considered as diabetes. Over time, prediabetes leads to the development of type 2 diabetes in individuals.

How can I identify if I have Diabetes?

Common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, feeling thirsty/hungry, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, weight loss even if you are eating more (type 1), poor healing of wounds and pain or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2). If you are noticing these symptoms then it’s the correct time to go to your physician.

How Diabetes can affect my Life?

If left untreated, long-term high blood glucose level can dramatically increase the risks of several diseases affecting your heart, kidneys, eye, nerves, foot, skin and others.

Heart Disease- Diabetes can cause coronary artery disease with chest pain, heart attack, stroke and atherosclerosis. However, chances of stroke are higher than other.

Diabetes can cause coronary artery disease with chest pain, heart attack, and atherosclerosis. However, are higher than other. Kidney Disease- Constant high blood glucose levels may affect the filtering system of your body. It can also lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.

Constant high blood glucose levels may affect the filtering system of your body. It can also lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. Nerve Damage- High glucose levels in your body can affect the tiny blood vessels responsible for maintaining your nerves. Especially, it affects the nerves of your legs causing numbness, burning or pain.

High glucose levels in your body can affect the tiny blood vessels responsible for maintaining your nerves. Especially, it affects the nerves of your legs causing numbness, burning or pain. Eye Damage- It can affect the retina which can lead to blindness. Additionally, it also increases the risk of cataracts and glaucoma (group of eye problems causing blindness).

It can affect the retina which can lead to blindness. Additionally, it also increases the risk of cataracts and glaucoma (group of eye problems causing blindness). Foot Disease- Nerve damage can lead to poor blood flow making foot susceptible to various complications. Due to constant high blood glucose levels, cuts and blisters heal poorly leading to the development of an infection. These infections may require amputation of the leg.

Nerve damage can lead to poor blood flow making foot susceptible to various complications. Due to constant high blood glucose levels, cuts and blisters heal poorly leading to the development of an infection. These infections may require amputation of the leg. Skin Disease- Diabetes increases the risk of bacterial or fungal infections. Additionally, it can also result in Acanthosis Nigricans (tan or brown areas which appears on necks, groin and armpits), Diabetic Dermopathy (oval or circular light brown scaly patches), Digital Sclerosis and few other skin conditions. Digital Sclerosis is one of the very common skin condition affecting type 1 diabetics, wherein, there is the development of tight, thick and waxy skin on the back of the hands.

Diabetes increases the risk of bacterial or fungal infections. Additionally, it can also result in Acanthosis Nigricans (tan or brown areas which appears on necks, groin and armpits), Diabetic Dermopathy (oval or circular light brown scaly patches), Digital Sclerosis and few other skin conditions. Digital Sclerosis is one of the very common skin condition affecting type 1 diabetics, wherein, there is the development of tight, thick and waxy skin on the back of the hands. Alzheimer’s Disease- There are several theories that in some cases, type 2 diabetes can also lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease affecting the individual’s memory.

How can I manage this Century Old Epidemic?

Education

‘Knowing your Enemy’ is considered as the half battle won, so is the case with diabetes or any other health conditions. Every diabetes sufferer should know about the disease process, treatment options, exercise or right diet for diabetes, medicines, complications, blood glucose monitoring and other aspects.

Diet

Eating a low-fat diet and low carbohydrates with an adequate amount of fiber can result in weight loss decreasing the risk of diabetes. Low consumption of sugar, saturated fat and processed foods along with high intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables improves the blood glucose levels. Drinking water over sodas or juices also helps in lowering the blood glucose levels. Don’t skip your meals or eat heavy meals at one time.

Lifestyle

Sedentary lifestyle (little or no physical activity), smoking, binge drinking and stress are the major risk factors for diabetes. Physical activity or exercise is one of the best ways of preventing and managing type2 diabetes. Physical activity increases the insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscles helping glucose to get inside the cells and also reduces the weight. However, certain precautionary measure must be taken for individuals having diabetic foot disease, heart disease and other complications.

Glucose Monitoring

It is a very essential component in managing diabetes and identifying other risk factors associated with diabetes. It also helps sufferers to know the effects of exercise, medicines or foods on glucose levels in the body assisting them for better management.

Apart from these, medical therapies, medicines, diabetes programs, insulin pumps, specific diets and various other means are available which you can discuss with your healthcare professionals.

Yoga Beyond Asana: Mudras for Diabetes

Yoga is a practice which was developed in India for more than 5000 years ago. It harmonizes the body with the mind and breath with the means of various physical, mental and spiritual practices. Yoga is a powerful union of yang and yin with the goal of balancing active and passive energies.

Many know yoga as different types of ‘Asanas’, but there is a lot more to it. Apart from asanas, it also includes mantra (Sacred chants), mudras (hand positions), pranayama (breathing), meditation and several more. Here, we will discuss the mudras which worked for diabetes according to different people.

Mudras are the different types of hand gestures that guide the flow of energy to specific areas of brain. It helps in improving physical, mental and spiritual health. Each finger of our hand represents one of the five elements of life i.e. air, water, earth, fire and aether (sky or void) which when connected together creates energy. This energy helps in balancing mind, organs, glands, veins, hormones and others, assisting us to manage several diseases.

The Mudras for Diabetics

Surya Mudra

It is also known as the Sun Mudra and enhances the fire element in our body. It improves our body metabolism by generating heat and is effective in reducing weight and blood glucose levels with its regular practice. Surya Mudra can be practiced by touching the tip of thumb to the tip of ring finger while sitting in Vajrasana position or Padmasana position for good results. Try to hold the ring finger for five minutes and later you can increase the time. Doing Surya Mudra in 3 sets is ideal for diabetes.

Pran Mudra

It is known as the Mudra of Life and is also one of the very powerful Mudras. It improves the vital force of life and helps in detoxing. For diabetes, it is best practiced with Apan Mudra. Pran Mudra can be practiced by touching the tip of your thumb to the tips of your little finger and ring finger while keeping the index and middle fingers straight. It can be practiced while sitting in any of the seated asana positions. You have to practice it with both of your hands and hold it for five minutes. You may increase the duration with the time and doing it for 3 sets is effective against diabetes.

Apan Mudra

It is one of the easiest Mudra which is also known for purification and balancing the body elements. Apan Mudra also helps in lowering the blood glucose levels and can be practiced in any of the seated asanas. It can be done by touching the tip of the thumb to the tips of the ring and middle finger while keeping the index and little finger straight. Hold till you are comfortable.

Note: Always talk to your physicians before practicing it for any conditions; never practice these Mudras just after eating and if you are doing it for the first time, it’s better to take guidance from a certified yoga instructor.

The 2 Most Common Myths of Diabetes

Diabetics are not allowed to eat sugar

Fact: It is one of the most common myths of diabetes which many people believe. Although, eating sugar in diabetes can increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your body but eating sugar in low amount with the balanced diet doesn’t affect blood glucose level.

Diabetes is not that serious.

Fact: Initially, its symptoms might not look serious than any other disease but remember it causes more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS together. Diabetes also increases the risk of heart attack and kidney failure by several folds and it still doesn’t have any cure. However, with the right diet, physical exercise and medicines it is easily manageable.

Always remember, diabetes may be the century-old epidemic which has afflicted millions throughout the world but it is not something to be afraid of. Till today, there may be no cure for diabetes but with the right education, consultation, therapies, adaptation, exercise and diet it can be easily controlled. The very first step to tackling anything is to know it, same goes with this disease. Share this knowledge to others and make them aware of Diabetes.

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