In a fast-paced world where stress is almost a constant companion, its impacts can, unfortunately, spill over to our loved ones. One such group which is particularly vulnerable are our children, who might end up facing the risk of developing diabetes due to the stressors around them. Let's dive into some unexpected aspects of the intricate relationship between stress and diabetes.
The 'Trickle Down' of Stress
Life throws curveballs—divorce, domestic violence, work pressure—all of which add to the psychological and emotional stress among mothers. Like a 'stress domino effect', it trickles down to the kids, increasing their risk of diabetes. Now, I know what you're thinking, "isn't stress part of life?" Yes, it is. But chronic stress is a whole different ball game.
How Stress Brews up Trouble
Picture cortisol as an uber driver for stress. It works both ways - it's produced when you're stressed and causes physical changes that can lead to stress. Located near the kidneys, cortisol gets released in response to stress, physical or psychological, and it isn't exactly friendly to the body.
Cortisol starts an unnecessary protein breakdown party, leading to a flood of amino acids into your bloodstream. The liver, the ultimate multitasker, switches roles to convert these amino acids into glucose for energy, leading to higher blood sugar levels. To add fuel to fire, cortisol decreases the use of glucose as energy. Talk about a double whammy!
Ever heard the saying, "Too much of anything is bad?" Well, it rings true here as well. An excess or deficiency of cortisol can whip up some system disorders, like autoimmunity that wreaks havoc on the insulin-producing beta cells, leading to insulin deficiency.
The Hypoglycaemic Hoopla
Diabetic children who face frequent bouts of severe low blood sugar at an early age may struggle with lower long-term memory performance as compared to those diagnosed at a later age. It's as if diabetes has some weird vendetta against memory. The spatial memory, in particular, can flounder in the face of extreme low blood sugar episodes. Hypoglycaemia, typical fancy medical jargon for abnormally low levels of glucose in the blood, seems to be quite the villain here.
The Medical Maze
Dealing with diabetes isn't a walk in the park; it's more like navigating a maze blindfolded. Reports show that people diagnosed with diabetes are increasing, sadly, with ages at diagnosis dropping lower and lower. Type 2 diabetes, once dubbed adult-onset diabetes, is now striking children, primarily due to the obesity epidemic.
Now, let's say a chubby kid visits a doctor and is found with certain symptoms like darkness around neck and armpits. He also has frequent urinary tract infections (UTI). Don't be fooled by these seemingly ordinary signs; they could be indicators of diabetes
Diabetes: The Silent Enemy
If improperly managed, diabetes can snowball into serious health complications, like damage to critical organs such as the eyes, kidneys, and the heart, or even lead to amputations. It takes an enormous amount of self-discipline and restraint to adhere to the strict diet and medication regimen required to manage diabetes. It's like walking a tightrope with no safety net - one wrong step, and you're in trouble.
Playing Detective with Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes requires constant vigilance. Apart from watching out for signs of high blood sugar, diabetics need to stay alert for symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia. Armed with a blood glucose meter, people with diabetes can monitor their sugar levels.
Consider a normal fasting blood sugar to be a serene beach – calming and ideal - between 70 to 100 mg/dl. Anything higher or lower can plunge you into a hurricane of health issues. It's like being a detective, constantly on the lookout for clues that might spell danger.
Navigating the uncharted territory of diabetes can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and cautious approach, we can equip ourselves to cope with it and protect our loved ones.
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