Diabetes and Eye Surgery FAQs

Diabetes and eye health are closely interlinked. Those with diabetes should make it a point to see an eye doctor at least once a year. Those with high blood sugar are at high risk of developing blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Some of these eye conditions may require surgery. If you or any of your family members have diabetes, you are bound to have questions regarding surgery. 

As one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata,  we answer some of the frequently asked questions on diabetes and eye surgery: 

Question 1: Can diabetics have eye surgery?

Yes, diabetics can undergo any type of eye surgery. However, the type of eye surgery depends on your general health and the eye condition that you have. In some cases, you may have to wait until your general health has improved. An eye doctor can advise you on whether eye surgery is suitable for you and if yes, when is the most suitable time. 

Question 2: Do I need to keep sugar levels under control before surgery?

Yes, doctors will recommend you keep your sugar levels under control. High sugar levels increase the risk of complications after surgery such as: 

  • Slow healing 
  • Infection
  • Heart problems

Your eye doctor and endocrinologist will help control your diabetes. This may mean that your average sugar level reading or the three-monthly HbA1c reading needs to be in a particular range. 

Question 3: Do I need to fast before eye surgery?

For all types of eye surgeries, patients are instructed to not eat or drink 12 hours before eye surgery. This is because before the surgery muscle relaxing medications are given. If the stomach has food and drinks inside it, the chances of vomiting are there. If that happens, the food could enter the lungs and affect breathing. 

Question 4: Do I need to stop diabetes medicine before eye surgery? 

Usually, you will be advised not to take diabetes medicine before eye surgery to reduce the chances of lactic acidosis. The condition can be a medical emergency.  It is best to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and follow his or her instructions if you need to stop any drug before surgery. 

Question 5: I have diabetes, how do I prepare for eye surgery? 

The best way to prepare for eye surgery is to follow the advice given to you by your eye doctor and general practitioner or endocrinologist. Remember, the longer your sugar levels are under control, the outcomes of the surgery will be better and the recovery period will go well.

Question 6: What to expect after the surgery? 

After surgery, you will need to see your ophthalmologist frequently, so that he or she can monitor any effect that your diabetes may be having on the eyes. 

 

Question 7: How long is the recovery for diabetics after surgery? 

The recovery from eye surgery varies from one person to another. It is important that you follow post-operative instructions given to you by the doctor regarding eye drops and eye hygiene. 

 

Looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata? 

One of the best ways to lower the risk of diabetic eye diseases is to get your eyes checked once every year. Diabetic eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract show no symptoms during their early stages. From diagnosis to eye surgery, you will find all eye care facilities at Disha Eye Hospitals, a leading eye hospital in Kolkata

 

FAQs on Inherited and Genetic Eye Diseases

There are many factors that play an important role in determining overall eye health. Genetics is one of the most significant ones. Many eye diseases, including those that cause blindness among infants, children and adults, are inherited. In some cases, early diagnosis and effective treatment for inherited eye disorders can help prevent the conditions from worsening. Therefore, it is important to know about these conditions. We have some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata. These eye specialists will answer some of the frequently asked questions on inherited and genetic eye diseases 

Question 1: What eye problems are genetic?

There are over 350 eye diseases that are genetic. A genetic eye disorder occurs when a child inherits a disease from one or both patients. Some of the genetic eye disorders are: 

  • Congenital cataracts
  • Congenital glaucoma
  • Retinal degeneration
  • Colour blindness 
  • Corneal dystrophies
  • Keratoconus

Note: In adults, glaucoma and macular degeneration are among the leading causes of blindness. Both seem to be hereditary.

Question 2: Can common vision problems be inherited?

Yes, common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are also inherited. The risk of developing these conditions is higher if both the parents have the eye disorder. Strabismus and amblyopia can also be inherited. 

Question 3: Can genetic eye disorders be cured?

Early diagnosis and effective treatment of inherited eye disorders can help prevent the worsening of vision. For instance, congenital cataracts can be treated by removal as soon after the diagnosis. The surgery can be performed on an infant as young as 6 to 8 weeks. 

Question 4: What are the symptoms of inherited eye diseases? 

Symptoms vary depending on the type of eye disease. Some of the general symptoms include:

  • Abnormal appearance
  • Fluid in eyes
  • Impaired vision  

Question 5: How can genetic eye problems be diagnosed? 

The best way to protect a baby’s eyes from congenital or hereditary eye disease is through regular eye examinations. Certain eye diseases are present at the time of birth while some develop shortly thereafter. Therefore, it is important that the baby’s eyes are regularly examined by an ophthalmologist or paediatric ophthalmologist. When diagnosed early, the chances of treatment can be better and the impact of the disease can be minimised. 

Looking for the best eye specialist in Kolkata for children? 

We, at Disha Eye Hospitals, have a dedicated Paediatric Ophthalmology unit with some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata on board. We conduct various eye tests for infants, toddlers, pre-school children and verbal children. We work closely with parents and children to integrate ophthalmologic treatment into the patient’s total care plan.

Question 6: What to expect during the evaluation? 

The paediatric ophthalmologist or eye doctor will completely review the test results. The parents will be asked about their family medical history, with particular attention given to signs and symptoms of genetic disorders. The child will have to undergo a comprehensive eye checkup. For this, the pupils will be dilated. Some of the common tests for diagnosing genetic eye disorders are: 

  • Electroretinography
  • Visual evoked potential testing
  • Optical coherence tomography
  • Fundus autofluorescence
  • Visual fields

 

Note: Additional tests may be recommended depending on the symptoms. 

 

Eye Health FAQs

One of the most complex organs of the human body, your eyes are an important part of your health. They take in information and directly connect it with your brain, helping you to understand the world around you. Well, did you know that human eyes are made up of 2 million moving parts? Or the six muscles in each of the human eyes move faster than any other muscle in the body? As a leading eye hospital in Kolkata, we often receive a myriad of questions on eyes and eye health. Here we have curated a list of FAQs and their answers.

 Eye health FAQs

1.What precautions should you take for the health of your eyes?

Keeping your eyes healthy is as important as keeping your body healthy. Here are a few steps you need to follow to keep your eyes healthy:

  • Eat healthy
  • Wear sunglasses under the sun
  • Wear safety eyewear while gardening, working in a factory or playing certain sports. 
  • Do not stare at computer or phone screen for too long.
  • Visit your eye doctor on regular intervals.

2. What health problems affect your eyes?

You would be surprised to know that there are a few health conditions that have no connection with your eyes per se, but can lead to eye problems. A few of them are: 

  • Diabetes: High blood sugar level can lead to several eye problems like blurry vision, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. These eye conditions can cause vision loss or blindness in people. 
  • High Blood Pressure:  High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes. It can cause damage to your retina, build up fluid under it, and can also damage your optic nerve. 
  • Measles: A highly contagious virus, measles can harm the front or back of the eye, which can lead to vision loss or blindness. It can lead to conjunctivitis, keratitis, retinopathy, optic neuritis, and corneal scarring. 
  • Liver Disease: The whites of a person’s eyes become jaundiced or yellow when they have any liver disease. Most of the common symptoms of liver cirrhosis can be felt in the eyes like itchiness and dryness. 

3. How to get the best eye treatment in Kolkata?

You can visit Disha Eye Hospitals in Kolkata to consult the best eye doctors. We are committed to providing our patients with the highest possible standard of ophthalmic care in an affordable manner. Our services include cataract surgery, lasik & refractive surgery, glaucoma treatment, diagnostic and imaging services.

4. What is an eye stroke?

An eye stroke is when blood flow is blocked in the retina due to blood clot. Without proper blood flow, the retina does not get sufficient oxygen, which may lead to serious consequences. An eye stroke should be treated immediately as any delay can damage one’s vision permanently.

5. What are the symptoms if you have a cold in your eye?

The symptoms if a person has an eye cold are:

  • Reddening of eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision
  • Itchiness or burning sensation
  • Watery eyes
  • Cold or flu-like symptoms

6. Which fruit is the best for the eyes?

Fruits rich in antioxidants can protect your eyes such as guava, kiwi, red berries, orange, and grapefruit.

7. How can I clean my eyes daily?

Always rinse your eyes with clean cool water for at least 15 minutes. Wash your hands before cleaning your eyes. You can do this while you are in the shower or over a sink. Finally, wipe your eyes with a clean cloth. 

8. Why do I have so many tears in my eyes?

There are several possible reasons to have watery eyes:

  • Due to allergies
  • Blocked tear ducts
  • Conjunctivitis 
  • Dry eyes
  • Problems with cornea

9. When should you see a doctor for watery eyes?

Although watery eyes clear up on their own sometimes, it may lead to serious consequences in a few cases. Seek medical help immediately if you have watery eyes with:

  • Pain or bruising around your eyes
  • Bleeding from eye
  • Severe headache
  • Reduced vision
  • Foreign particle stuck in your eyes

10. How do you stop a watery eye?

A few of the common remedies to stop a watery eye are: rinsing your eyes with water, using eye drops, removing eye irritation elements like dust and makeup from the eyes. If these don’t work, see your eye doctor who can diagnose the condition better with tests and treatment.

11. What is the best medicine for watery eyes?

Consult your eye doctor. He/she will prescribe you the right eye drops for watery eyes. If you have watery eyes due to any allergy, treat the allergies first. Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics for infection or a surgery to clear your blocked tear ducts.

FAQs On Eye Treatment in Kolkata

Our eye specialists are often asked questions such as why an annual eye examination is important or how diabetes affects eye health or how to avail the best eye treatment in kolkata. Here we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions on eye treatment that you might find useful:

  • Why are annual eye examinations important? Eye conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma do not show any early symptoms. During a comprehensive annual eye exam, an eye doctor evaluates the health and condition of the eyes, giving you a better chance at getting the treatment at the right time. Certain conditions cannot be reversed but their progress can be slowed down with the right treatment. People suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure are often recommended to undergo frequent eye tests.
  • What is the most common eye treatment for refractive errors? Refractive errors are the most common type of vision problem. Refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and presbyopia occur when there is a problem with the shape of the cornea and it cannot focus light accurately on the retina. Eyeglasses are the simplest and safest way to correct refractive errors. Some people also get refractive surgery like LASIK surgery done to change the shape of the cornea and reduce dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.
  • What is diabetic eye damage and can it be reversed? High blood sugar levels are not good for your overall health and your eyes are no exception. High blood sugar can lead to eye conditions such as blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. According to a study, diabetes is the primary cause of blindness in adults. Diabetes damages the blood vessels in the retina. The damage cannot be reversed but by seeking timely treatment the condition can be slowed down.
  • How to prevent diabetic eye conditions? If you are diabetic, get a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year. Control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Try to quit smoking. If you smoke, your risk of diabetes-related eye diseases is higher. Exercising regularly is good for your eyes as it helps you keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check.
  • How often should a child get his/her eyes tested? Infants should have their first eye exam at six months. Young children should have their eye tests latest by age three. Here’s a useful guide for parents on scheduling paediatric eye exams. In our Kolkata branch and other branches in West Bengal, we have highly experienced paediatric ophthalmologists who can help you ensure that your child’s eyes are developing normally.
  • What are cataracts and is surgery the best treatment option? Cataract forms when the proteins in the eyes clump together causing them to cloud the lens of the eye. As the condition advances, you may have problems with reading and driving at night. Cataract surgery is the best way to remove cataracts. During the surgery, the damaged lens is replaced by an artificial one.
  • Is there a treatment for glaucoma? Glaucoma is a condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve due to increased eye pressure. The condition worsens over time and can even lead to loss of vision. Though the damage caused can’t be reversed, treatment such as prescription eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment and surgery can help slow or prevent vision loss, particularly when the condition is detected in its early stages.

If you have any doubts or concerns about your eye health, get in touch with our eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals. They can help you maintain good eye health by advising you the right eye treatment plan.

 

 

 

 

How quickly do cataracts progress? How many days rest is required after cataract surgery? And other FAQs on cataract surgery

Cataracts are caused when the proteins in the eye’s lens break down and clump together. Cataracts develop as a normal part of the aging process. In the early stages, cataracts don’t cause any visible symptoms. One may notice blurred vision and other visual disturbances as the eye condition progresses. In fact, one of the FAQs on cataracts is how quickly do cataracts progress? Over here let’s look at the answer: 

cataract surgery

Question 1 : How quickly do cataracts progress? 

During the early stages, cataracts may have very little effect on your eyesight. Although cataracts progress in stages, the development of the eye condition depends on various factors such as age, diabetes, prolonged exposure to UV rays, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. To understand how quickly the eye condition progresses, you need to gain an idea about the various stages of cataract.

  • Early cataract: In this stage, the lens refracts light irregularly – as part of the lens is cloudy and the other part is transparent.  The signs and symptoms may include: 
  • mildly blurred or cloudy vision
  • increased light sensitivity
  • double vision
  • halos around light 
  • poor night vision 
  • frequent changes to the prescription glasses or contact lenses
  • Immature cataract: In this stage, proteins start to cloud the eye lens, especially in the center. The progression from the early stage to this stage may take some time, however, lack of treatment can worsen the condition. 
  • Mature cataract: In this stage, the eye lens becomes deep amber or completely white. Cataracts start spreading to the edges and impact the vision severely. The symptoms are almost the same as in the early stage, however, they are more severe and affect day-to-day life.
  • Hypermature cataract: The last and advanced stage, where cataracts become very dense, impairing vision to a large extent. It can lead to increased pressure and inflammation in the eyes, resulting in glaucoma.

When a cataract interferes with your day-to-day activities, such as reading, cooking, and driving, then surgery might be necessary. Cataract surgery is one of the most preferred and safest procedures to remove cataracts. The next commonly asked question about cataract surgery to our eye specialists in Kolkata is how long does cataract surgery take for one eye? Over here let’s look at the answer: 

Question 2: How long does cataract surgery take for one eye? 

Cataract surgery is usually performed on one eye at a time. After the first surgery is done, the eye doctor waits for a few weeks to perform the second one. The time delay allows recovery of the first surgery and vision stabilization. The surgery usually takes 15-20 minutes, but post-operative treatment can take up to an hour or even more than that. The procedure is painless and is carried out under general anesthesia. 

Question 3: How many days rest is required after cataract surgery? 

Many people can resume normal activities 1 to 3 days after the surgery. Here are some useful insights regarding post-operative care and recovery:

  • Post-operative visits to the doctor:

Although cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, you will have to take proper care of your eyes after the surgery. Post-operative care includes follow-up medical care or procedures, medications, and routine check-up to check for complications that may arise after the surgery. A routine check-up helps curb the risks or complications associated with cataract surgery.

  • Post-surgery care:

Like any other surgery, it is important to take certain precautions after the surgery. Wear an eye shield or patch as recommended by your eye doctor. Although you can resume your daily activities after the day of surgery, avoid strenuous physical activities or driving immediately after the surgery. Do not splash water into the operated eye and avoid a head bath. Also, avoid using cosmetics such as eyeliners, mascara, and kohl. Follow your eye doctor or eye specialist’s instructions along with proper medical care and routine check-up.

  • Days required for recovery

You can resume your daily routine within 24 hours of surgery. However, it can take a few days to get completely accustomed to the situation and achieve the desired vision. Patients, in some cases, can experience halos around light or a crescent-shaped shadow, which will cure with time.

  • Possible side effects:

Cataract surgery is safe and has a high rate of success with very low chances of side effects. However, just like any other surgery, patients may experience some possible side effects like infection, bleeding, pain, and swelling if proper care is not taken. In rare cases, they experience severe complications. Follow your eye surgeon’s directions closely to reduce the likelihood of complications after cataract surgery, and report any complications right away.

10 Frequently Asked Questions on Myopia

LASIK Eye Surgery in Kolkata

Myopia is the condition where the distant objects appear blurry and out of focus. This is caused when the eyes are longer than usual. As a result, the distance between the cornea and your retina is greater than in normal eyes. LASIK eye surgery can rectify myopia.

Here are a few frequently asked questions on Myopia:

1. What causes Myopia?

Nearsightedness or Myopia is caused when the shape of your eyeball is more than normal eyeballs. However, in some cases, myopia is also caused by a change in the cornea or the lens. Due to these problems, the light rays entering the eye focus in front of the retina instead focusing directly on it.

2. What are the symptoms of Myopia?

The initial symptom of Myopia is blurred vision. When you look at distant objects, it will appear blurred. You will find yourself squinting and frowning while looking at distant images and objects. You will get frequent headaches, and you won’t be able to read books or newspaper properly without holding it too close to your eyes.

3. When do we develop Myopia?

Usually, nearsightedness begins in your childhood, between the ages of 6 to 12. While you are in your teenage, your eyeballs grow quickly. At that time either it will grow quickly or get worse quickly. By the time you reach 20 years, myopia stops getting worse. Most of the time, the condition stabilises at mild or moderate levels.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/tc/nearsightedness-myopia-topic-overview#1

4. What are the treatment options for myopia?

Usually, the eye specialist prescribes glasses and corrective lenses for correcting myopic vision. These lenses and glasses help in focusing the images directly onto your retina so that you can see properly. However, these glasses and lenses do not cure the condition. You need to wear them for doing certain activities such as driving a car or reading distant boards or for viewing things located far away.

Apart from these, the doctors may also suggest surgical procedures for vision correction. The most common process for treating myopia is Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK eye surgery. Another process used for treating Myopic vision is PRK or Photorefractive Keratectomy.

5. What is LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is commonly used for correcting vision related problems such as Myopia, Hyperopia, and Astigmatism. In this procedure, the cornea of your eye is reshaped so that that light that is entering the eye focuses directly on the retina and you get a clear vision. This is a painless procedure and takes only 15 minutes to complete. The eye surgeon will cut a circular flap on your cornea and then removes some of the corneal tissue using an excimer laser. For myopic vision, the surgeon flattens the cornea, and for farsightedness, the surgeon makes it steeper. There are many places in Kolkata where LASIK eye surgery is performed.

Source: http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/lasik.htm

6. What is Photorefractive Keratectomy and how it helps?

Like LASIK eye surgery, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) too works by reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. The only difference between LASIK and PRK is the initial steps of the procedure. In LASIK, the surgeon cuts a thin flap in the cornea using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. In PRK, the eye surgeon cuts the outer layer of the cornea and discards is before reshaping the corneal tissue using excimer laser. The top layer grows back in a few days after the surgery. And that is why recovery of PRK takes longer than LASIK.

Another variation of PRK called LASEK is also performed. In this procedure, the surgeon lifts the outer epithelial layer and preserves it. At the end of the surgery, the layer is them put back on the eye surface.

Source: http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/prk.htm

7. Can we prevent Myopia?

The development of myopia depends on your genes and your environment. There is no way that you can prevent Myopia. However, you can definitely prevent it from worsening. Use glasses and contact lenses prescribed by the doctor. Remember that, glasses and contact lenses won’t cure the condition, but they will help you enjoy better vision.

Source: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia/common-myopia-myths/common-myopia-myths?sso=y

8. How is myopia diagnosed?

The doctor will perform a thorough eye check-up for diagnosing myopia. The eye examination may begin with a visual acuity test. In this test, the eye doctor may use a standardised chart of letters of varied size. You will be asked to cover one eye and read that chart aloud. If the test results show that you have myopia, then the doctor will use a retinoscope to examine your eyes. Using that retinoscope, the doctor will throw light into your eyes and evaluate the reflection off the retina. This is used for determining the degree of refractive error in your eyes.

9. What is Degenerative Myopia?

Also known as pathological or malignant myopia, this condition is very rare. This is mostly inherited, and symptoms begin to appear in early childhood. In this condition, your eyeball elongates rapidly, thus causing severe myopia. The condition gets worse usually by teenage or youth. This condition may even get worse during your adult years. People with this condition are highly susceptible to retinal detachment and other conditions such as glaucoma and choroid neovascularization (an abnormal growth of blood vessel).

10. What is High Myopia?

This is a severe form of myopia. In this condition, your eyeball keeps growing and elongates from front to back. This increases your risk for retinal detachment and an early development of other eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.

Source: https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/myopia

LASIK Eye Surgery in Kolkata

Looking for places where you can undergo LASIK eye surgery in Kolkata? If yes, then book an appointment with Disha Eye Hospital. They have a team of highly qualified experts and eye surgeons dedicated to resolving any eye problems. If you want to know LASIK eye surgery cost or want to book an appointment at Disha Eye Hospital, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment.

FAQs for Diabetic Patients

eye hospital in Kolkata

Diabetes is a condition where the blood glucose levels are too high. This is mainly because either your body isn’t producing enough insulin or your body cells aren’t responding to the insulin. Diabetes affects multiple organs of your body, including your eyes. A study by the World Health Organisation says that all patients with Type 1 diabetes develop Diabetic Retinopathy; while 77% of people with Type 2 Diabetes who are living with Diabetes for over 20 years develop this eye condition. The report by WHO further mentions that Diabetic Retinopathy is responsible for 4.8% of the total 37 million cases of blindness all over the world.

Source: http://www.who.int/blindness/Prevention%20of%20Blindness%20from%20Diabetes%20Mellitus-with-cover-small.pdf

Apart from Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetes also contributes to the development of a number of eye conditions.

Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions on Diabetes

How Diabetes affect the eyes?

Diabetes causes:

1. Blurry Vision

If you have diabetes, you may often find that your vision has become blurry. This is because the high blood glucose levels make your lens swell, thus affecting your vision. For normalising your vision, you need to get your blood sugar levels down. It might take maximum three long months before your get back your normal vision.

2. Glaucoma

If you have diabetes, then you might get a rare form of glaucoma known as Neovascular Glaucoma. This is a condition where new blood vessels grow in your iris, blocking the flow of fluid and raising your eye pressure. Moreover, people having Type 2 diabetes are most likely to have Open-Angle Glaucoma. Medications help in treating Open-Angle Glaucoma. This helps in reducing the eye pressure and facilitates the drainage of fluid. On the other hand, Neovascular Glaucoma is a bit complicated condition and might require surgery. There are many options for glaucoma treatment in Kolkata. If you have diabetes, then it’s a must to get your eyes checked thoroughly in a good eye hospital in Kolkata. It’s because it’s impossible to diagnose glaucoma without thorough eye check-up.

3. Diabetic Retinopathy

The high blood sugar levels can cause severe damage to the blood vessels in your retina causing Diabetic Retinopathy. Controlling your blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure is essential for preventing this condition. You may develop Background Retinopathy (your blood vessels are damaged, but it doesn’t affect your vision); Maculopathy (a damaged macula), and Proliferative Retinopathy, a condition where the cells in the back of your eyes do not get enough oxygen and new blood vessels start growing. These blood vessels often bleed, thus scarring the retina.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-problems#1
https://medlineplus.gov/diabeticeyeproblems.html

What are Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes is when the body doesn’t produce insulin because the insulin producing pancreatic cells are damaged by the body’s immune system. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. This is caused when either the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or the body couldn’t use the available insulin. This condition is common in people who are obese.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-faq#1

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is the condition when the blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but it isn’t high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. People who have prediabetes are likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Early screening is essential for avoiding any further risks.

Source: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/pre-diabetes.html

What is Gestational Diabetes?

This is a type of diabetes that women usually develop during pregnancy. This is a temporary type of diabetes. If you develop this type of diabetes in one pregnancy, you are likely to develop this during your other pregnancies. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in future. So, timely screening is important.

Who can develop Type 2 Diabetes?

These factors can increase your risk of developing this condition:

  • Family history: The family history of type 2 diabetes increases your risk of getting diabetes increases.
  • Age: with age, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. This may be due to decreased physical activity and loss of muscle mass
  • Obesity: Obesity increases your risk factor for type 2 diabetes. With more fatty tissues, your cells become more resistant to insulin.
  • Inadequate physical activity: if you are less active then you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
  • Unhealthy diet: a diet rich in saturated fats, sugar, and calories increase your body weight thus increasing your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
  • What are the complications caused by Diabetes?
  • High blood glucose levels can damage your kidneys, eyes, nerves, and cause cardiovascular disease. You become susceptible to foot infection (that may lead to gangrene), stroke, heart attack, and sexual dysfunction.

Why it’s important to take special care of the feet?

People with diabetes are prone to foot problems. The blood circulation in your feet becomes poor thus damaging the nerves and reducing sensation. Check for various foot conditions such as cracked skin, swelling, ingrown toenail, blisters, bleeding corns. Proper foot care ensures that no wounds become so severe that the leg needs amputation.

Do Diabetic people need special diet?

Not really. Just ensure that the diet you are following is healthy and contains complex carbohydrates (whole grain cereals), is low in fats, and includes plenty of vegetables. If you plan your diet accordingly, you can still eat all kind of food and stay healthy.

What is Hypoglycaemia?

Hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar level is the most common complication faced by diabetic people. Due to several conditions such as not eating properly or eating too late, doing vigorous physical activity may drop your blood sugar levels below normal range. Patients usually feel weakness, sweating, and giddiness. At that time, the patient must be given fruit juice or some sugary drink. In case the patient is unconscious, he or she must be given intravenous glucose. Adjusting the dosage of antidiabetic medicine can help avoid this condition.

Source: http://www.searo.who.int/entity/world_health_day/2016/faqs-diabetes.pdf?ua=1

Glaucoma Treatment in Kolkata

Looking for the best eye hospital in Kolkata? Why not get your eyes tested by the experts at Disha Eye Hospital? We provide comprehensive glaucoma treatment in Kolkata. Book an appointment with us today at http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment.