about Diabetes

about Diabetes

                                    Information about Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes  mellitus  is a chronic metabolic disease which is  ... 20:05

                                   Information about Diabetes Mellitus

• Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease which is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels as a result of impairedsecretion or impaired insulin action or a combination of the two aforementioned reasons, causing a relative or absolute lack of insulin. There are two main categories of Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes mellitus type 1, which is an autoimmune disease and Diabetes mellitus type 2, which is due to hereditary and environmental factors. Moreover, there is gestational diabetes and some specific types of Diabetes mellitus.
•  The symptoms of diabetes include polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration / dry mouth, blurred vision, weight loss, overeating, increased frequency of infections and exhaustion.
• Concerning the prevention and consistent management of Diabetes mellitus, it is of paramount importance for the health and quality of life of diabetic people. Therefore, it is founded that the better the regulation of blood glucose levels is, the lower the possibility of the chronic complications’ development of diabetes is. Treatment strategies of diabetes mellitus vary depending on the degree of impairment of insulin secretion. Treatment options include the non-drug treatment (through changes in diet and exercise), the antidiabetic agents and the pharmaceutical treatment with insulin.

Role of Nutrition in Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Treatment

• A balanced diet is the cornerstone for the management of Diabetes mellitus. The official scientific committees and organizations worldwide, that are associated with diabetes, recommend changes in dietary and exercise habits as a priority for both the prevention and the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes.
• Such interventions usually include a restriction in caloric levels, as well as in carbohydrate and fat intake in the framework of adoption of healthier eating habits and of the incorporation of more exercise against a sedentary lifestyle.

It is found that a diet which leads to a moderate weight loss (7.5% of initial weight) contributes substantially to a better regulation of blood glucose levels.