Managing Diabetes: The Key to a Healthy Heart and Kidneys

 Managing Diabetes: The Key to a Healthy Heart and Kidneys

If you are reading this article, I assume you are very familiar with diabetes. So let us move on to the part where I will explain to you the relationship between diabetes and the heart. Your heart is the central organ that ensures the flow of blood throughout the body.

How is diabetes related to the heart and kidneys?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas produces enough insulin but the body is unable to use it. In later cases the body becomes resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas that helps sugar enter your body's cells. The main function of insulin is to maintain blood sugar levels that exceed normal levels. This increases blood sugar which reduces the function of beta cells of the pancreas and alters the body's metabolism producing more insulin resistance which means less digestion of fat. Increased levels of free fatty acids, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative factors from fat can result in cardiovascular complications that are directly related to diabetes.

Similarly, there are many small blood vessels in the kidney which bring blood to purify it. Due to the metabolites of high blood sugar and low fat absorption, they get deposited on these arteries causing their lumen to narrow and become clogged. In this way kidney function is affected. The same happens with all the arteries in the body leading to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, stroke and heart problems.

Diabetes Management

Management of this disease is primarily concerned with controlling the causative factors, which are unknown and mostly thought to be caused by a genetic predisposition to the aforementioned beta cells. We cannot control its cause.

Can we do something about this?

Yes, a large number of studies have been conducted across the world for this very reason, highlighting the importance of controlling sugar levels through external sources so that the vicious cycle of diabetes does not affect bodily functions.

How do we do this?

1. Know it all and keep updated – reading is important, there is a lot going on on diabetes research. Apart from this, if you are not aware of how diabetes can harm you in many ways, then you cannot choose the right path for yourself. Technological advancements and new medicines have significantly changed healthcare services.

2. Monitor – Keep track of HbA1c blood sugar levels continuously for 3 months. It is beneficial to monitor this. Blood pressure and cholesterol can also increase due to the effects of diabetes, so it is good to monitor them. Total cholesterol content is a basic parameter and is not very expensive. You can also keep a pocket device for monitoring blood sugar at home. Keep a record of it. Also, monitor your oral health by visiting your dentist at least twice a year.

3. Medication management – Take all your medicines on time. Take insulin oral or injection on time and carefully. You can always inquire about aspirin dosage from your doctor.

4. Keep stress away – We don't want anything more than diabetes, so try meditation, morning laughter club. Whatever they may look like on the outside, they really do help. You can also take help of music therapy; Listening to good music is always a pleasure. Yoga and pranayama are good ways to keep stress levels low.

5. Mandatory diet plan – Consult a dietitian.

• Eat small meals at short intervals
• Eat more vegetables and protein in your eating routine
• Choose low fat and calorie options
• Eat whole grains and sprouts
• less salt
• less sweet
• Consume Omega 3 by mixing flaxseed oil, canola oil and walnuts.

6. Reduce alcohol consumption

7. Exercise – your own mix of light and heavy exercise

• Zumba
• aerobics
• swimming
• Bicycling (make sure your knees are okay)
• light weight exercises

8. Quit smoking

9. Take extra caution to avoid injury. Check for injuries or cuts on your feet. Take extra care, wear comfortable shoes.

10. Keep your weight down

11. visit your doctor regularly

12. Set targets for all parameters such as blood sugar, blood pressure (if at all), HbA1c, weight, cholesterol measurements and follow dietary restrictions.

Diabetes clearly has a goal; Eating you alive. Let's set our goals bigger and better than diabetes.