Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the count of diabetes patients in India would go up to 40 million by 2010 and 74 million by 2025.

In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes.

With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.

In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes.

Major Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them.

Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency.

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed suring pregnacy and affects about 4% of all pregnant women. It may disapear after child birth, but it is likely to develop again during subsequent pregnacies.

Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms

• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Increased fatigue
• Excessive thirst
• Unusual weight loss
• Irritability

Diabetes is all about managing your lifestyle

• Eat the right portions of health foods such as fruits and vegetables, dry beans, whole grains, low-fat milk, etc.
• Eat foods that have less salt and fat
• Get 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week
• Manage your weight
• Stop smoking
• Brush your teeth every day to avoid problems with your teeth and gums
• Check your blood glucose at regular intervals