With a generation of people accustomed to eating more and moving less, the rise in diabetes is not a surprise. Carmen Sceppa, assistant professor of health sciences at Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University, talks about what Type 2 diabetes is and how one can prevent it.
Type 2 diabetes is the presence of excessive sugar content in the blood because the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin or because of ineffective insulin action even after production. The disease is seen to be more prevalent in underprivileged communities of the US. The implications of this disease range from blindness to kidney failure and it affects the everyday life of the person. Sceppa says that the reason for a rise in the cases of Type 2 diabetes is so evidently our lifestyles. With increased food content in our bodies leading to weight gain and obesity, there is an insulin resistance and a high blood sugar. This is not just the individual’s fault but the society that makes possible certain situations and puts the individual in them. Further, diabetes can also be genetically acquired.
However, with proper monitoring and a little effort, it is possible to keep the blood sugar levels under check. Revising one’s diet to include foods that are low in calories, generous in nutrients, and high in fibre and proteins is one measure that we can take. Moderately intense physical activity and resistance training to build muscles result in the consumption of blood sugar as well. These are only steps that would be helpful in the initial stages or as preventive measures. If the situation has worsened beyond a stage, the person is recommended to go for proper medication to avoid the case from worsening. In situations that are not dealt with on time, the patient also faces the threat of death.
N Malavika Mohan
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