Diabetes is one of the chronic lifestyle conditions that most older adults fear developing, especially past the age of 40. This is when body's main source of energy or glucose is too high. However, recent cases show that diabetes may no longer be a disease of aging. While most people who are middle-aged or older adults develop Type 2 diabetes, there is in fact a rise in cases among the youth, including children. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, 352,000 children and adolescents younger than age 20 years in the US are diagnosed with diabetes. Furthermore, in the UK, the number of children with type 2 diabetes have risen by more than 50%, as noted by the NCBI data. In India too, there is a sharp rise in diabetes across all age groups, with many cases going undiagnosed until complications set in, says Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth, chief pathologist at Redcliffe Labs. " Diabetes cases are rising not just among older adults but also in children, teenagers, and youngsters in their 20s & 30s," says the doctor. Why The Youth Must Know?The doctor also says that more often than not, scientific terminology could be confusing, even, scary, in such a scenario, it is important to break down the scientific jargon for them. Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth does exactly that. He presents with the 'Five Must Knows' from what he calls a Diabetes Dictionary. HbA1c: HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months, showing how well your body has been managing glucose. This can be considered as your long-term report card and not just a day’s blood analysis. Insulin Resistance: Insulin Resistance happens when your body stops responding properly to insulin; the hormone that helps use sugar for energy. So, even with enough insulin, sugar stays in your blood instead of fueling your cells, slowly raising your risk of diabetes. Glycemic Index (GI): GI tells you how quickly a food raises your blood sugar after eating it. Foods with a low GI keep your energy steady, while high GI foods cause quick spikes and crashes in blood sugar. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): Fasting blood sugar is your body's early morning status update. It reveals how effectively your body manages blood sugar after several hours of fasting. Prediabetes: Prediabetes means your blood sugar is starting to creep up; not diabetes yet, but your body’s giving you a gentle nudge to pay attention. It’s the perfect stage to turn things around with small, healthy changes. Why knowing these terms are necessary? The doctor says that knowing these terms will help the young patient keep a track of their sugar levels, and also to catch problems early. Are There Ways To Manage Sugar Levels?The doctor says yes. The doctor suggests simple steps, such as consuming low GI (≤55) foods on a regular basis, can help regulate sugar levels and prevent sudden sugar spikes. "These foods include oats, lentils, apples, milk, yogurt, green vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Additionally, high-GI foods like white bread, white rice, cornflakes, potatoes, pastries, sugary drinks,, and other junk and fried foods should be avoided. Besides regulating eating habits, simple steps such as regular exercise, brisk walking, and stress management can help control sugar levels."
Email
Google
Facebook Email Google Facebook