Introduction of Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease which is causes high blood sugar levels. This problem is diagnosed by raised sugar levels- fasting more than 126 or after food more than 200.

There may be other associated problems like hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Diabetes remains a symptomatic for quite long time but may manifest with excessive thirst, hunger and frequent urination, despite excessive appetite there may be unintentional weight loss or fatigue.

How do I measure my Blood sugar ?
Blood Sugar can be measured by Equipment called Glucometer which is a battery operated electronic apparatus having a display. It’s Small machine which uses glucose Reagent strips for reading. there are slightly different methods for checking sugar, mostly the strip is inserted in the machine slot and then a drop of blood is supplied. Sugar readings are displayed in half a minute.

Are readings Glucometers readings reliable ? Electronic machines are quite reliable in measuring approximate sugar levels with little error but sufficient to ensure safety. They may give a reading with error of 5% but it can be reliably reduced by taking repeat readings if initial reading is apparently erratic.

Which Reading is more useful Fasting or After lunch ?
Both fasting and PP values of sugar have different values for diagnosis of diabetes but both of them should be within normal ranges to define a good control of sugar. Overall sugar level can be derived from an another test called HbA1c value which gives an average sugar level of preceding 3 to 4 months.

Is Diabetes patient and Sugar patient same ?
Yes Sugar patient is a layman term for diabetes , both terms denote the same problem.
Diabetes is a problem of sugar metabolism and because the sugar circulates in the blood among all the systems interchangeably hence it has impact on all the bodily systems. All the diabetic patients should make some changes in their day to day life which is called lifestyle modification. In this one has to avoid sweets, fried foods and should take early breakfast and have divided meals during the day. Patient should ensure seven hours of sleep every day and he or she should ensure daily exercise preferably outdoors. It should be brisk walking or jogging and if the patient is fit then he can choose sports. Indoor exercises are not as good as the brisk physical activity done outdoors in control of diabetes.

How to measure the severity of Diabetes ?
Diabetes is known to cause harm to our body and health and the extent of damage is related to its grade of severity.
Diabetes is mainly categorised into two types Type-1 Diabetes and Type-2 Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is rare and it starts in early childhood or before 20s while type-2 diabetes onset is delayed mostly after 40s, Type-1diabetes is caused due to autoimmune damage to the beta cells of pancreas and type-2 diabetes is mainly caused by decreased output of insulin from beta cells or increase the insulin resistance in the body which is mostly related to obesity.
Type-1 diabetes can be treated only by insulin supplement that is by injections while type-2 diabetes can be managed on dietary modification, weight reduction along with oral medication but if the patient is not compliant with the lifestyle, checking sugar regularly (SMBG) and regular medicines then
Type-2 diabetes patient may also need insulin.
If diabetic patient remains ignorant about his health then it is known to cause many complications like retinopathy, neuropathy and Nephropathy, collectively these disorders are known as Triopathy

Is Diabetes a hereditary disease ?
If you have a strong family history in the family then there are high chances that you will develop Diabetes sooner or later in life but if you are vigilant and take sufficient preventive efforts then you may remain in normal health and can delay the onset of diabetes for decades.

I don’t have any symptoms still do I need to worry about Diabetes?
Diabetes is just like any other chronic diseases like hypertension and kidney diseases where you hardly get symptoms till it is too late. The best way to diagnose diabetes is to monitor it or visit your nearby physician who can easily detect it just by measuring the blood sugar levels.

If I start treatment of Diabetes can I get habitual of it in other words I don’t want to start Sugar medicine because I will need to take it life long?
It is very common confusion in public regarding Diabetes and BP that if I start medicine then I will need to take it forever which is not the case.
You need to take medicine so to ensure safety because high sugar levels may lead to heart attacks, stroke or renal failure. These ailments can be effectively prevented if you consult a physician in time and follow the lifestyle modification along with the medication. In due course of time when your sugar levels come to normal and the heart and blood vessels get better the medicines can be tapered off and you may remain healthy just on controlled lifestyle

What are side effects of Sugar medicines?
The Diabetes medicines are quite safer when you compare the damage caused by High sugar which is left untreated may lead triopathy and later may be loss of limb, damage to kidneys, actually the medicines save you from these gory complications. Some nausea, fatigue, abdominal bloating and weight gain may take place for few weeks.
Please note that the treatment of Diabetes must be taken very regularly because irregular treatment may be harmful.
Some patients opine that they take the medicine when there is some symptoms like dizziness, heaviness in head or fatigue etc.
Please be informed that symptoms of hyperglycaemia are very inconsistent that is same person may have symptoms at one time with a Sugar level of 200 but at the other time the same person may remain totally without symptoms even when his Sugar reading is in excess of 500mg/DK.

Can I take medicines which my father or mother or family member is taking ?
It is very tempting to take medicine that someone in the family is already taking but it should be noted that Diabetes is a very complex disease and it needs a thorough assessment of your clinical condition so to make a plan of suitable medicine combination. The treatment of Diabetes should be taken in the consultation of a qualified physician who has years of experience in managing Diabetes patients, you can find these doctors in your neighborhood called as physician or MD medicine doctors.