Kumar’s Hospital
( Jodhamal Road, Hoshiarpur)

DIABETES MELLITUS- How to stay healthy.

Do you know that Diabetes mellitus or commonly known as “sugar” is spreading very fast in India. According to one estimate at present rate by 2050 every Indian will be diabetic. Reasons are many but more important ones are stressful life, fast food habits, sedentary lifestyle, and may be genetic predisposition.

If you are diabetic follow these tips.
Diet modification:
Avoid;
1. Sugar in all forms, sweets, fried food,
2. Potatoes, rice, sweet potatoes, refined wheat flour (Maida)
3. Mangoes, grapes, litchi, banana,
4. Cold drinks, alcoholic drinks, smoking
5. Fast foods, deep fried foods, canned juices, canned fruits, ice creams, non veg. foods
Take;
1. Lots of salads,
2. Vegetables cooked in refined oils
3. Chapattis made from whole-wheat flour preferably mixed with gram and Soya flour.
4. Fruits: - oranges, mossumbies, papaya, plumes,
5. Nimbu paani without sugar, tea/coffee without sugar, fresh fruit juices (oranges/mossumbies) without sugar and lots of plain water.
6. Roasted or plain Nuts like almonds/ground nuts/cashew can be taken in moderation.
(For further details contact your doctor)
Life Style modification:
Since Diabetes mellitus is a life style disease it is very important to modify it.

· Do light aerobic exercise daily
§ Like walking briskly for about 5 kms daily
§ Do pranayam for one hour or yoga
§ Cycling/Swimming
· Reduce weight – attain your ideal weight i.e- 23 x Height2 (in meters)
· Don’t over work and over stretch yourself. – Find time to relax, spend time with family. Free your mind from daily tensions. Try meditation for 15-20 minutes daily
· Do get up from your chair and move around in office from time to time.
· Take a walk to neighborhood groceries or vegetable market instead of going in a car.
· Dispense with peon and do small menial jobs-like taking out / putting back files from cabinet yourself.

Medical Consultation;
§ Consult your doctor for medical check ups at regular intervals and follow the instructions.
§ Keep your blood sugar level, blood pressure and weight in control with or without medicines.
§ Always keep your drug record /blood sugar level record /contact number of your home and doctor with you.
§ Take your medicines regularly

Tips for Special Care of Body
You should take special care of your body because you know that in a diabetic wounds and infections take longer than usual to heal Some times there is loss of sensation in hands and feet due to the damage to the nerves, and any minor injury goes unnoticed until it is too late. Diabetes also leads to restricted blood supply to body parts thus causing delayed healing and infection.
Report to your doctor:
§ Any numbness or tingling sensation in hands, arms feet or legs...
§ Any blurring of vision or diminishing of vision
§ Any skin infection or injury.


Do the following:
§ Daily check your feet and hands for any minor cuts, scratches, blisters, swelling and discoloration, at the time of taking bath.

§ If you find any of above then rinses the area with clean tap water, apply some antiseptic cream or band-aid etc. Consult your doctor at the earliest. Don’t ignore it can be dangerous.
§ Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water and soap, and dry them taking special care of area between the toes. Apply some moisturizing cream to feet but don’t apply in between the toes. Keep the inter digital spaces dry or sprinkle some anti fungal powder. (Candid)
§ Choose your footwear carefully _ these should be neither tight fitting nor very loose and insides should be soft smooth and well cushioned. Don’t wear new shoes for longer periods continuously. - Always examine your feet afterwards for blisters, ulcers or discoloration
§ If your feet remain numb then be extra cautious:
o Don’t wear open shoes/sandals etc. Always wear nice fitting shoes with soft inside with cotton socks. In summers and rainy seasons, sprinkle some anti fungal talcum powder (Candid powder) on your feet before putting on socks. If possible do remove shoes and socks for some time during day so that moisture dries up and massage your feet for some time.
o Never walk bare foot even in your home. Use slippers made of soft rubber.
o Ensure that inside of your footwear is smooth and there are no sharp edges.
o Don’t sit near the heaters in winters. Never put up your feet in front of heaters. It can seriously burn your feet because you will not feel pain due to numbness. Similarly do check the temperature of water before immersing your feet in it. It will be better if you ask some one else to do it for you.
o Don’t keep hot water bottles in direct contact with your legs or feet -always wrap these in cotton sheet and keep away from your body.
o Don’t cut your nails too short – it can cause unnoticed injury to your fingers and toes.
§ Don’t smoke: it further causes decrease in blood supply to legs and feet and worsens the condition.


Some Final Tips: 5 A’s
§ Avoid unnecessary medications –
§ Always consult you doctor regularly
§ Allow yourself some relaxation in between busy schedule.
§ Adhere to the guidelines/instructions of your doctor
§ Always be happy.


Prevention: of Diabetes mellitus.

There are no definite methods to prevent the onset of Diabetes mellitus but following steps, will definitely delay its onset and decrease its severity.


§ Keep your weight in ideal range.
§ Avoid junk food/fast food
§ Take natural, healthy food with lots of fruits/ vegetables/salads. And less of oils.
§ Avoid alcoholic drinks/canned juices/canned fruits/sugary syrups.
§ Do daily exercise.
§ Follow life style and diet modification as advised earlier.

We can’t cure diabetes but can definitely help you to live a meaningful, healthy and complete life.
________________________________________________
Issued in public interest by: Dr. Rajender Kumar Sharma, Consultant surgeon, Kumar’s Hospital, Jodhamal Road, Hoshiarpur
Ph. 01882-220092,
________________________________________________