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Have you checked your B's 2

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    March 7, 2017 7:38 AM CET
    Sequel to the last post on 3B's we started last week this week we'll be considering the second B which Blood Glucose
    Blood glucose refers to sugar that is transported through the bloodstream to supply energy to all the cells in our bodies. The sugar is made from the food we eat. The human body regulates blood glucose levels so that they are neither too high nor too low. When it is too low, it is referred to as hypoglycemia when it is too high, it is referred to as hyperglycemia. Blood glucose estimation is a sure way to detect diabetes early in any individual.
    Category - Random glucose (mg/dl) - Fasting Glucose (mg/dl) - 2hrs Post-Prandia
    Normal - 70-140 - 70-100 - ≤140
    Pre-diabetic - 140-199 - 101-125 - 140-200
    Diabetic - ≥200 - ≥126 - ≥200
    Diabetes is a chronic, often debilitating and sometimes fatal disease, in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
    Glucose - Insulin-- Glycogen(Storage)
    Glycogen- Glucagon-- Glucose(Energy)
    Diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels, which can damage organs, blood vessels and nerves. The body needs insulin to use sugar as an energy source. Globally, about 422million adults have dm.
    TYPES OF DIABETES
    Type 1- Develops at childhood or adolescence. Occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas(auto-immune dx). Constitutes about 10% of all diabetes cases. Always treated with insulin
    Type 2. Develops at adulthood occurs when the body cannot properly use the insulin that is released (called insulin insensitivity) or does not make enough insulin.
    Constitutes about 90% of all diabetes cases. Managed through physical activities, meal planning, medications/insulin, etc
    Risk Factors to Diabetes
    Genetics(Inherited Genes), Family History Of Diabetes(Parents, Siblings,Etc), High Blood Pressure, Having High Cholesterol Or Other Bad Fats In The Blood, Obesity(And Waist Circumference ≥ 94cm Or 37inches For Men, ≥ 80cm Or 31.5inches For Women), Being African/Asian, Increasing Age. Etc
    Signs and Symptoms
    Unusual thirst(Polydipsia), excessive hunger or increase appetite(Polyphagia), frequent urination(Polyuria), weight change (gain or loss), extreme fatigue or lack of energy, blurred vision, frequent or recurring infections, arterial disease- infarction(Obstructed circulation) & gangrene(localized death and decomposition of body tissues), cuts and bruises that are slow to heal, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet(neuropathy), trouble getting or maintaining an erection
    How to prevent Diabetes
    Check the risk of diabetes, weight management , exercise regularly , eat a balanced, healthy diet, limit takeaway and processed foods, limit your alcohol intake(As spiritual beings endeavor to stay away from alcohol, smoking shouldn’t be encouraged at all , control your blood pressure by constant monitoring
    Where to get your blood sugar checked
    Educated individuals can purchase a blood glucose machine known as Glucometer with a strip. Usage of this glucometer might require slight training before one can use it. But the usage manual on the machine can also be followed
    Going to the Health centre/hospitals at all levels, requesting for Blood glucose examination and it will be done

    Your B's are important numbers you must have close to you all the time as an individual in a bid to make informed decision about choice of food and make appropriate life-style modifications when necessary.
    See you next time when we shall be talking about BMI (Body-Mass- Index)till then, be bold, be strong for the lord God is with you, you will walk in victory and health. Adios Amigos.