Lifestyle And Diabetes - Know The Link!

Diabetes is a chronic disorder that is gradually gripping a vast majority of the world population. Various etiological factors ranging from an inactive sedentary lifestyle to improper food habits can cause diabetes. It is not a single disease, but a group of multiple metabolic disorders that affect various systems of the body.

Commonly presenting symptoms of diabetes include polyuria – excessive urination, polydipsia – excessive thirst and polyphagia – excessive hunger.

Complications of a hyperglycemic state can be acute or long term. Acute complications include a serious condition called as diabetic ketoacidosis. Long term complications include diseases of the cardiovascular system, nephropathy, neuropathy, skin infections etc.

Sedentary lifestyle has a huge effect on the development of this disease. Lack of exercise or any active movement, prolonged office hours, stress, over eating, especially junk food consumption cause an overall increase in the prevalence rate of diabetes.

An increase in the normal sitting time has also been found to be linked with an incidence of type 2 diabetes. In an individual with a routine exercise schedule of 2-3 hours, if the sitting time is more than 4-5 hours, then the risk of diabetes is high.

Since the human body needs to spend more active time in breaking down and absorbing sugars, increased sitting time exerts more pressure on the insulin producing cells. This leads to an increased risk of developing diabetes.

The main contributor to development of the insulin resistance and a defective glucose intolerance is obesity. When the insulin secretion becomes insufficient to overcome the insulin resistance, glucose intolerance further progresses to cause type – 2 form of diabetes.

Sleep deprivation is also known to cause a pre-diabetic state. When the body is deprived o sufficient amount of sleep, then an insulin-resistance like state can develop. Insulin facilitates the absorption of glucose in the body. In case of insulin resistance, the normal functioning of the hormone is hampered, which results in a high blood sugar.

Chronic stress levels can also interfere with the body’s ability of regulating blood sugar. This condition occurs due to the increase the hormone cortisol. This hormone’s rise in the body can trigger a high blood sugar response. Hence, in a high stress condition, the body is unable to decrease its blood sugar level back to normal.

Also, during stress, a person may tend to over eat. Commonly in an anxious state, an individual tends to consume high calorie foods. Simultaneously, the physical activity levels of the body are also reduced. This behavior can invariably lead to cause insulin resistance.

Diabetes can be controlled by adapting various lifestyle modification techniques, with regular exercise and consuming an appropriate diet being the primary measures. Exercising control on stress, appropriate sleep and an active lifestyle can help in overcoming the risk of complications and living a normal life.