Sweet Surrender: My Journey with Diabetes

Unveiling the Sweet Tooth Saga

Carbs and sweets are adored by every Indian, especially with festivals sprinkled throughout the year. It's nearly impossible for me to resist the allure of sugar, whether it's in the form of Mahaprasad, coffee, our beloved chai, or laddoos. I've always considered myself a foodie, relishing bread, rice, and chapati. Growing up, my active lifestyle kept me ignorant of the impact my diet could have on my health.

Little did I realize I should eat to live, not live to eat. My love affair with food took a toll on my body. The saying "we are what we eat" suddenly made sense. Despite regular meals and an active routine, I never paid much attention to the amount of sugar I consumed.

Reflecting on my daily life in South Korea, I enjoyed two good meals and a small breakfast, including cereals with fruit, lunch with rice and various accompaniments, coffee with biscuits in the afternoon, and a dinner featuring rice and boiled spinach. Regular walks, gym sessions, badminton, swimming, and dance classes made me feel energetic, masking the impending health issues.

Discovering the ABCs of Diabetes: Lessons from My Own Body

Let's talk about sugar science

- Carbs turn into sugar during digestion, entering the bloodstream.

- High blood sugar triggers insulin production for cell energy or storage.

- Cells absorb sugar, lowering blood sugar levels.

- The pancreas releases glucagon to maintain a steady blood sugar supply.

- Insulin and glucagon ensure a consistent blood sugar supply, crucial for brain cells.

- Carbohydrate metabolism is critical to type 2 diabetes development.

- Type 2 diabetes arises from insufficient insulin or poor utilization.

- Insulin resistance develops as cells become less responsive.

- Prolonged high blood sugar follows insulin resistance, contributing to diabetes progression.

What is the Glycemic Index:

- Ranks carbohydrates from 0 to 100.

- Evaluate how fast and how much they elevate blood sugar levels after eating.

High Glycemic Index Foods:

- Examples: White bread.

- Characteristics: Rapid digestion, leading to significant blood sugar fluctuations.

Low Glycemic Index Foods:

- Examples: Whole oats.

- Characteristics: Slow digestion, resulting in a gradual rise in blood sugar levels.

Hence, the most critical parameter to watch. Check more here

The Battle Beyond Blood Sugar

Unaware, I believed my eating and workout routine was healthy until returning to India revealed my hair fall was linked to diabetes. Two years ago, after a dentist visit for sensitive teeth, the dentist found nothing serious. I came back to Korea, and I felt unexpectedly bloated and lethargic, leading me to cut down on food.

Despite weight loss from working out, I felt low energy and stress. Leaving my job in Seoul, a blood test in India unveiled critically high sugar levels (466). Despite the levels, the doctor was surprised at how active and alive I was. It started explaining symptoms like irritability, lethargy, and persistent hair fall. There are other common symptoms, especially for women.

Navigating the Maze of Medications:

Transitioning from multivitamins to potent medications, my doctor emphasized the need to give me a chance to reverse diabetes. Within a month, my sugar levels normalized with the help of two tablets. These medications enhance insulin production, promote effective insulin utilization, and reduce excess sugar produced by the liver. The tablets aid in controlling post-meal blood sugar spikes without causing weight gain in prolonged use. While maintaining my diet, incorporating weight training, and regular walking, I've achieved a blood sugar level of 102 within a month, albeit still under medication.

My worst nightmare Hairfall:

Dealing with severe hair fall, I consulted a dermatologist, starting with Rosemary oil-based serums and numerous hair vitamins. Acknowledging the gradual process of overcoming this issue, I've come to terms with the fact that it takes time. Hair follicles typically take 2-3 months to grow visibly. Stay tuned for more on my hair fall journey and how I address it with the help of a doctor in upcoming blog posts.

Sugar, your foe, not a friend:

After over a month without adding sugar to my diet, I've cut down on carbs, sticking to four chapatis, a small cup of rice, and loads of fresh salads (not plain lettuce). My mornings include a small fruit, some dry fruits, and no fruit juices. I've also trimmed my oil intake and added ghee, as advised by my dietician, along with fiber supplements. I will write more about it in upcoming blogs.

Then came Diwali, tempting me with heaps of sweets and hard-to-resist carbs. I indulged in a few mom-made ladoos and chivda with less sugar, but some symptoms started creeping back. I was disheartened, shedding tears, fearing I might never enjoy my favorite desserts again. However, today, I woke up with a realization—if sugar is causing so many health issues, it's time to ditch the cravings. Let's forget about it, or even dislike it for a while, like breaking up with a nasty ex. So, I turned to my favorite Taylor Swift tunes and am writing an article about it. LOL!

Now, let's talk about people – the unsung heroes in this tale. My parents and my sisters handled all my tantrums and anxiety issues. My badminton buddy Arya volunteered to play with me regularly; my swimming coach shouted at me when I felt too lazy to come for sessions. All these and many more people helped make the journey a bit lighter.

This may be the only article that I hope you don't have to relate to. I will keep writing about my journey if I get your support and feedback. So please show some love and hit that subscribe button. I would love a heart in the comment section if you relate to it at any stage. I hope you get all the sweetness in your life, with or without that nasty sugar!!!!

Yours Sweetly,

Shweta