Human senses- Identification of six senses in the human

Six human senses

I would like to share my immense happiness on the publication of research "Identification of sixth sense" and getting attention in other countries too. 

Aristotle (390 BCE-350 BCE), the Greek philosopher has viewed that human has five senses-vision, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. In our current research project (2014-2018), we were able to draw that human has six senses. 

(How to cite this article: Jobin, P., Siva, R., Sudha, R., & Hema, V.H. (2018). Intersensory Perception Model: Integrating the sixth sense in providing Nursing care. Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 4(1), 8-17.)

The paper defines the sense or sensing is an ability of a human being for identifying and interpreting the stimulus from the external environment through five sensory organs includes eye, nose, ear, tongue, and skin with six senses such as vision, smell, hearing, taste, touch, and auto-thermoception. 

The sensing is categorized into three:

On sight sensing

It is an ability of a human being to see and interpret the surrounding environment in the visible light through the sensory organ called eyes and the response of the nervous system is known as ophthalmoception.

Abut sensing

The word 'abut' is the Anglo-Latin origin, which means 'touch'. It is an ability of the human being to identify and interpret the surrounding environment by making physical contact through sensory organs such as skin and tongue. The response of the nervous system through tongue is called as gustaoception (taste- for example, ability to interpret taste with the contact between tongue and food) and through the skin with the contact of items is called as thermoception (temperature- for instance, ability to differentiate the high and low temperature with the contact between skin and thermal conductor), nociception (pain - for instance, ability to respond to pain with the contact between skin and needle) and mechanoreception (vibration- for example, ability to identify the vibration with the contact between skin and vibrating material).

Remote sensing

Remote sensing is an ability of the human being to acquire and interpret the surrounding environment without making physical contact and out of sight through sensory organs such as ear, nose, and skin. The response of the nervous system through ear is known as audioception (hearing- for instance, the ability of the human ears to acquire the sound waves from the surrounding) and through nose is olfacception (smell- for instance, ability of the human nose to acquire the smell of the particles from the surrounding). The body is covered with skin, which is normally sensitive to heat and cold. The ability of the skin to identify the level of room temperature in the surrounding environment without touching called auto-thermoception.

The figure explains the three modalities of sensing and highlights five sensory organs and six senses.

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Inter-sensory perception model: Integrating the sixth sense in providing nursing care

Inter-sensory perception model: Integrating the sixth sense in providing nursing care

Published in: Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 4(1), 8-17.
Abstract

Introduction: In 21st century, nursing profession is enriched with many theories. However, there exists a wide gap between knowledge and implementation of nursing care. 

Aim: The paper explains causes of this gap and addresses a solution using a conceptual model titled “Intersensory perception in nursing care ‘under empirical concept’ open your  sixth sense in addition to five traditional senses.” 

Methods: A qualitative case study design was used for testing the conceptual model. 

Results: The paper classifies the different modalities of sensing, adds one more nontraditional sense (auto thermoception) to five traditional senses and depicts how general sensory perception can be upgraded to inter-sensory perception among nurses through nursing education process, which is pictured as nursing foundry lab model. It also explains that how nurses can identify homeostatic imbalance among human beings using intersensory perception and help the patient to retain homeostasis. Further, a comparative analysis is done with Florence Nightingale’s environmental theory and criterion based critique model is used to evaluate the role of inter-sensory perception in nursing care. 

Conclusion: Hopefully, these concepts pave the way to implement an effective nursing care using inter-sensory perception and reduce unintentional torts by overcoming ‘numbness’ of senses.

Key words: Conceptual model, inter-sensory perception, nursing theory, sensing, sixth sense

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Assessment of occupational safety, hazards and related health problems among quarry workers at work places in India

Assessment of occupational safety, hazards and related health problems among quarry workers at work places in India

Published in International Journal of Nursing Education and Research

ABSTRACT

Introduction: As quarry site is the dangerous place to work in and quarry workers are more likely to be killed in accidents at any time. Therefore, the investigators tried to assess the occupational safety, hazards and related health problems among the quarry workers at work places in India.

Methodology: A cross sectional survey approach was used. The study was conducted in two quarry work sites in Vellore district. The study population consisted of all 72 quarry workers, who worked in the two quarry sites and the investigators selected the subjects by using convenient sampling method. The check list consisted of demographic data and 30 items, which covers the dimensions of occupational safety, hazards and  related health problems among the quarry workers. Data collection was done for a period of two weeks. 

Results: It was showed that the majority of the quarry workers 52.8% were between the age group of 18-45 years. Among them, 76.3%  of the quarry workers were males and 23.7% of them were females. It was observed that none of them were using any of the personal protective equipments, fist aid boxes were not available and there was no ambulance facility available with in 10 kms of diameter. The quarry workers were not covered under any health insurance schemes and were not trained for quarry work such as machine operation, first aid treatment and safety measures. The majority of the workers had frequent respiratory tract infection(88.8%), back ache (65.2%), joint pain (48.8%) and sinusitis (26.3%). Regarding vision and hearing acuity, 12.5% of them had reduced visual acuity and 15.3% of them had negative Weber and Rinne test too.

Conclusion: The study results make an urgent call on authority for job redesigning, scheduling policies, implementation of strict rules and regulations, health protection programmes and insurance schemes for workers who are involved in dangerous work places such as construction sites, quarry, mining and nuclear power plants.

Key words: Quarry, Occupational hazards, Occupational safety, Occupational problems 

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What may be the sixth sense, which can be applicable in nursing?

Dear colleagues,

I am Mrs.Ponnambily Jobin, working as Asst.Lecturer in College of Nursing. This is to bring to your kind information that I have published a conceptual model (under mid range theory) in 2015, addressing 'child sex abuse' as a problem domain. (Please see PCSA Model &List of nursing theories). Now, I am working on a grand theory focusing on 'Inter-sensory Perception in Nursing Care'. I have attempted to develop a classification of senses based on a specific criteria, which highlights sixth sense, in addition to five traditional senses such as vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste. I would like to gather suggestions from you to accept or to refute the theory. I humbly request you to have a response on 'what may be the sixth sense, which can be applicable in nursing?'. 

Disclaimer:  

• If you are interested, please forward it and discuss among your co-workers. If not, kindly ignore the post.
• This blog does not represent any institutions and any organizations that the owner may be or may not be associated professionally and personally.The aim of this blog is informational purpose only.

Sahli's Acid Hematin Method

Sahli's Acid Hematin Method

Principle- The hydrochloric acid in the acid hematin solution converts the hemoglobin into acid hematin and the value is determined by matching with the color comparator

Article needed are:

• Pipette, marked at the 20 mm level
• Stirring rod
• Color comparator
• 0.1N Hydrochloric Acid Solution- Add 1 ml of concentrated HCL to 99 ml of distilled water
• Graduated tube with scale on two sides, percentage scale reads from 0 to 170 and gram scale reads from 0 to 24.
• Distilled water

Procedure

1. Pour 5 drops of 0.1N HCL solution in graduated tube.
2. Wear gloves and aspirate the blood from the finger tip with pipette up to 20 mm mark .
3. Pour blood into graduated tube and note the time.
4. Shake the tube well and add distilled water drop by drop until the color of the solution matches the color comparator. Stir it well using stirring rod.
5. After five minutes, read the result from the scale by noting the lower edge of the meniscus.
6. Finding are reported in gm per 100 ml of whole blood

Normal Values

Male- 14-16 gm/ 100 ml of whole blood

Female- 12-14 gm/100 ml of whole blood

Spinothalamic tract

(By Sauledeg (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Why our left brain does control the right part of the body and our right brain controls the left part of the body?

The human brain separates into two cerebral hemispheres such as right and left, connected by corpus callosum. The human brain passes and receives information from different parts of the body through Mid-brain, Pons, Medulla and Spinal Cord. Regarding spinal cord, outer part consists of white matter and inner part is grey matter. A collection of nerve fibers that connects human body to brain is called tract. There are two types of tracts; corticospinal tract and spinothalamic tract. The tract begins from human brain and passes through the spinal cord to the body parts  is called as corticospinal tract. The tract begins from body parts and passes through the spinal cord to human brain is called spinothalamic tract. The spinothalamic tract divides into three order neurons called Neuron 1, Neuron 2 and Neuron 3.

When one feels touch or pain or temperature on right leg, the sensation passes to the right side of the spinal cord through dorsal nerve root ganglion (Nerve 1) and enters into the right side of the dorsal gray column of the spinal cord (Nerve 2). Then, it crosses to the left side of the gray column of the spinal cord, passes through the upper part of the white matter of left side of the spinal cord, comes out from the same side of the spinal cord, moves upwards through the medulla, pons, mid-brain (Nerve 3) and finally reaches in the left part of human brain (cerebral cortex). This tract is called as spinothalamic tract.

The left part of the human brain receives the sensation from the right leg through spinothalamic tract and as part of reply to the sensation; left sided brain sends the impulses to left part of spinal cord through the mid-brain, pons, medulla and crosses to right part of spinal cord. Finally, it comes out from the spinal cord and  reaches to right sided body parts, this tract is being called as corticospinal tract. An example of result of an impulse is withdrawal of leg from pain or temperature. Thus, the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body through the spinothalamic tract and corticospinal tract.

Pulse Polio Program 2015

(By Shobhit Gosain [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Pulse polio Program 2015

In India, the fight against polio was started by launching Expanded Program in Immunization (EPI) in 1978. This program was able to cover 40% of all infants. In 1985, Universal Immunization Program (UIP) was launched to cover all districts, despite of having around 28,000 reported cases in India. Meanwhile, World Health Organization has initiated Polio Eradication program in all countries in 1988.In 1995, India has launched Pulse Polio Program, with an aim to eradicate poliomyelitis by vaccinating all under five children at 100% with two doses in a year in addition to routine immunization schedule. Here, the 'pulse' means 'post resuscitation and initial utility in life saving efforts'.

To eradicate the polio, Govt. of India focuses on three strategies such as

• Routine immunization of infants with three doses of polio vaccine
• Supplementary Immunization activities (SIAs) including National Immunization Days (NIDs) to cover the entire country, Sub National Immunization Days (SNIDs) to cover some parts of the country and Mop-up activities to cover 100%.
• Surveillance and investigation of cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)

The main aim of NIDs to immunize the children at booths on the first day and follow up on missed children on the following two days. When a child comes for polio vaccine, health care provider enters the name and address and administers two drops of oral polio vaccine (0.1ml). It is considered as a single dose of vaccine and subsequently, child has to receive the second dose of vaccine in second round. Then, the health care provider marks the left little finger with black ink. 

On the following two days, the health care providers have to conduct house to house survey to immunize the missed cases on the spot and marks the house as "P" with white chalk in front of the house . If the house is locked or not receptive, they mark the house as "X" in front with an indication of revisit the house on coming days. This is for the implementation of mopping up strategy.

Vaccine Vial Monitor also plays a vital role in the program. It suggests the quality of vaccine by indicating the color changes of inner square to outer circle. If the inner square is in white color, the vaccine can be used. Otherwise, it has to be discarded.

The time to add the name of polio in the list of eradicated disease is near by. The Govt. of India has announced the dates of NIDs, first round on 18-01-2015 and second round on 22-02-2015. Let us intertwine our hands to push the name of polio to the pages of  small pox from the present to the past.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

(Image by Rama (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0 fr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

It is an emergency procedure in cardiac arrest to maintain the blood flow to the brain and vital organs by compressing chest manually in an unconscious patient with no pulse and no breathing or abnormal breathing such as agonal gasping.

During CPR in an emergency, one has to focus on critical concepts such as

• push hard and fast
• allow maximum chest recoil during compression
• compression a rate of at least 100/min 
• should not interrupt compression often or for long

Follow these steps to perform chest compression:

• Ensure the scene is safe
• Rescuers should wear gloves 
• Keep the patient in supine position and on a flat and firm surface
• Remove the clothes from the chest of the patient
• Keep the heel of the one hand on the middle and center of the chest and place the other hand on the top of it with fingers intertwined ( draw an imaginary line between the nipples)
• Push hard and fast and count it loudly

Depth of the compression is

• For adults- 2 inch/ 5 cm
• For children-2 inch/ 5 cm
• For infants- 1.5 inch/ 4 cm

Facts to be considered:

• If the rescuer's hands and wrists are arthritic, keep one hand on the chest and grasp the wrist of the hand with the other hand to support it for deep chest compression. This technique may be useful to push hard and fast.

Handigodu Syndrome

(Image by see page for author [CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Handigodu Syndrome

Handigodu syndrome or Handigodu Joint disease is an inherited disorder mainly characterized by osteoarthropathy. It was mainly endemic to Malnad region in Karnataka state, India. It is scientifically known as spondylo epi (meta) physeal dysplasia. It affects spine, epiphyses and metaphyses of the long bones of the limbs. 

Prevalence of this disease is not relevant nowadays, as it confined to specific geographic parts of the villages, Karnataka, India.It is a progressive skeletal disorder, starting with severe hip and joint pain, forces the patient to crawl and then, cripples. Most of them are short statured because of spine involvement.

The causative factors are uncertainly defined. It may be due to consanguinity, low protein intake and environmental toxins.

Regarding management of the handigodu disease, patients are treated for pain and swelling with analgesics but no cure.

Coronary Artery Diseases

Coronary Artery Diseases

The epidemic of coronary artery diseases is widely prevalent among Indian population. Four people die of heart attack every minute in India and the age group is mainly between 30 and 50 years. This is not frighten you, but to provide a wake-up call.

Risk factors of coronary artery diseases

It might be due to genetic predisposition leading to premature coronary artery diseases and anatomical abnormalities such as dilated coronary arteries called ectasia with pro thrombotic (easy clot forming) tendency.

Other risk factors are diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high blood lipid levels, obesity, smoking, sedentary life style, smoking, alcoholism, consumption of fast foods and high level of stress.

Symptoms

• Unstable Angina- Central crushing chest pain or discomfort, which may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, stomach and back. Constant dull pain or heavy feeling on chest, not relieved by rest, Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets or sublingual spray.
• Stable Angina- Chest pain on physical activity but settles after a period of rest, Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets or sublingual spray.

Management

• Emergency management for unstable angina- It is life threatening, so that, seek medical help immediately. Call an ambulance, go to nearby specialist hospital.
• Emergency management for stable angina- Consult specialist soon. Medical management includes drugs e.g. cholesterol lowering medications, beta blockers, nitroglycerin and calcium antagonists etc.
• Surgical management- It includes coronary interventions such as angioplasty, coronary stent and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Prevention

The public should be educated about risk factors through awareness programs. Focus on ‘stop smoking and alcoholism’ and 'dietary approach' means avoid fatty foods and eat at regular intervals. The regular exercises and outdoor games are essential to keep every one healthy.

They should watch their BMI (for details see (http://understandhealthtips.blogspot.in/2014/10/body-mass-index.html)) and waist hip ratio (for details see(http://understandhealthtips.blogspot.in/2014/10/waist-hip-ratio.html)). Keep blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids under control. Do annual screening periodically (for details see(http://understandhealthtips.blogspot.in/2014/11/annual-health-check-up.html)).

World AIDS Day- 01/12/2014

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, observed on 01 December in every year, is one of the official public health campaigns, initiated by World Health Organization. All over the world including government organizations, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations observe the day, giving importance to raise the awareness against prevention and control of AIDS pandemic, which is caused by HIV virus.

The facts of HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the body's immune system and higher the chance of getting secondary infection. This virus is transmitted mainly through sexual contact without a condom and by sharing infected needles or equipment. This is the fact that 90% of people are getting infected through the unprotected sexual contact. No one could develop vaccine yet, thus, no cure for HIV.

The main aim of observing World AIDS Day is to create awareness regarding route of transmission, prevention and control measures including use of condoms and disposable syringes.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2014 is closing the gap between prevention and treatment. To achieve 'Zero HIV case' in 2030, we have to close the gap between the people who have access to HIV prevention and treatment and who haven't.

Thrombophlebitis

(Image by User:Mattes (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Thrombophlebitis or phlebitis is the inflammation of vein. It may occur due to thrombus (blood clot). These blood clots are formed because of injury or prolonged immobility. Here, I am going to write about the phlebitis related to improper insertion of IV cannula, its mechanism, treatment and preventive measures.

Inflammation of superficial veins is might be due to injury, for example, when one does not insert the IV cannula properly or attempts to insert the IV cannula 2-3 times, it may irritate the vein wall.  It causes profuse bleeding. Immediately after endothelial cell  injury, platelets are activated.This response initiates leukocyte rolling and forms blood clots, which stick into the wall of the vein. The formation of blood clots in the dermis layer called as thrombosis. It leads to inflammatory reaction. The combination of inflammation and thrombosis leads to thrombophlebitis. Signs are swelling, redness, warm and pain in touch.

About the resolution of inflammation,  a number of pro-inflammatory factors including IL-1Beta and Tumor Necrosis Factor and monocytes influx into the thrombus. It is denatured by the circulating enzymes and absorbed into the blood circulation. This phenomena is called as thrombolysis.The thrombophlebitis will be resolved within 2-7 days.

Treatment

• Elevate the affected area
• Apply warm moist pack for 15-20 minutes
• Apply Glycerin Magnesium Sulfate paste for relieving inflammation and pain
• Analgesics and anti inflammatory medications can be prescribed

Preventive measures

• Must change the IV cannula after 72 hours(3 days)
• While inserting IV line, if swelling appears, withdraw it immediately and compress the area with cotton for 5 minutes.
• After infusion of medication, flush the IV cannula with normal saline or Hep Flush (Heparin lock Flush Injection).
• Inspect the area for any signs of infection such as swelling, redness, warm and pain in touch. If there are any signs of infection, remove the IV cannula and opt another site for insertion.

Ebola Virus Disease

(Image by See Source [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Ebola Virus Disease

Since the past two decades, the world has been experiencing the outbreaks of viral diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Bird flu and Swine flu. Now, we are experiencing the outbreak of Ebola virus.

The Ebola virus disease or Ebola, is a disease caused by Ebola virus in humans and other primates. It was firstly identified in 1976 in two different outbreaks- one in Sudan and the other in Zaire.The main factors contributing for an outbreak is, human activities like changes in land use, urbanization, high density population in cities, climate change and under utilization of health care systems.

The incubation period is 2-20 days.The Ebola infection shows a sudden onset of the disease resulting fever, chills and malaise. Later it progresses to vomiting, diarrhea and hemorrhagic conditions at its peak.Finally, it results in uncontrolled bleeding, shock, convulsions and severe metabolic disorders. The death of the victim usually occurs within about two weeks.

The African Fruit Bat is considered to be the natural host for the Ebola viruses as well as the major sources of human infection.It can be spread through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person which includes blood, urine, saliva, semen and indirect contact with environment contaminated with fluids. It does not spread through air.

Currently no drug or vaccine can cure this disease. So, it is very important to focus on reduce the risk of wildlife to human transmission and human to human transmission. The outbreak containment measures are safe burial of infected people,quarantine measures for 21 days, maintain clean environment and practice hygienic measures.

Sure, this outbreak will subside one day, though only after consuming many lives.  At the same time, when it reappears, the world will be ready with high tech weapons to fight it...hopefully...

World Diabetes Day- 14 November

(Image by International Diabetes Foundation [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

World Diabetes Day- 14 November 2014

It is a primary global awareness campaign for diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November of each year. It was introduced by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in 1991. The day marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who discovered insulin in 1922.

Each year, it focuses on a theme related to diabetes mellitus. Themes in the past were diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle and the cost of diabetes. Recent themes include 

• 2007-2008: Diabetes in children and adolescents
• 2009-2013: Diabetes education and prevention
• 2014-2016: Healthy living and diabetes

The World Diabetes Day Logo

The circle symbolizes life and health. The color 'blue' represents sky that unites all nations. The blue circle signifies the unity of the diabetes community world wide in response to the diabetic pandemic.

Activities

Activities include health camp, free screening, public information meeting, poster presentation, workshop, newspaper article, walk, run, cycle race, quiz program, debate session, diabetic diet exhibition, public health education program, puppet show, radio and television programs.

To conclude,

World Diabetes Day 2014

Rokitansky syndrome

I am very glad to say that a woman's dream come true. In October 2014, it was reported that a 36 years old Swedish woman, who was diagnosed with Rokitansky Syndrome and was undergone womb transplant, gave birth to a healthy baby.

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome is a disorder that affects female reproductive system. It is a congenital malformation, characterized by a failure of development of mullerian duct, resulting in underdevelopment of uterus and vaginal hypoplasia.

It may be associated with other malformations such as renal agenesis, ectopia of kidneys and cardiac anomalies.

Signs and Symptoms

• Primary Amenorrhea

• Infertility

• Difficulty with sexual intercourse

• History of recurrent urinary tract infection

Management

Goal: To provide the patient with an unscarred vagina

• Perineal dilation

• Vaginal reconstruction by Mclndoe technique with skin graft

• William's vaginoplasty with vulval flap

• Intestinal neovagina uses an isolated segment of bowel

• Uterus transplantation

In conclusion, the risk for transmission of the disease can not be predicted, as the genetics of the MRKH Syndrome is very little known currently.

World Geriatric Day- 1st October 2014

World Geriatric Day

'Let us join together to active and healthy aging for Elderly Persons'

 

Elderly care is the fulfillment of demands and needs by them. It encompasses wide range of services such as assisted living, home care, adult day care and hospice. The most important part of elderly care is to love them and keep them active.
There are different ways to keep them active:

• do different forms of physical activity every day
• more aerobic exercises
• pursue hobbies
• take part in social activities
• have balanced diet
• shift to vegetarian food including more fruits and vegetables
• have good sleep
• pay attention to foot care
• use assistive devices if needed
• regular medical check ups
• take medicines according to physician's prescription

Taking care of them is a part of our tradition and culture......yes....let us care for our elders....

World heart day-2014

World Heart Day

World heart day -2014

                     ‘Creating heart healthy environment’
World heart day, which dates back to 2000, is an annual global awareness day, its objective to create awareness among people around the globe that the heart diseases and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year.

The theme of world heart day focuses on an environment in which we live, work and play should not increase our risk of cardio vascular diseases. The environment factors such as air pollution, water pollution, availability of healthy foods and mental environment at place of work play a vital role in contributing cardio vascular diseases.

Talking about pollution, smoking including passive smoking create accelerated rate of diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Staying in crowded places where hygiene of air and water is poor, the risk of infectious diseases is very high and this can lead to rheumatic heart diseases.

About availability of healthy foods, one should focuse on low carbohydrate, low fat and high protein rich foods including fresh fruits and vegetables. It is very essential to stress on low salt intake, as World Health Organization targets a 30% reduction in salt intake worldwide by 2025.

But, environment is not restricted to just the physical environment, it also covers mental environment including place of work, the pressure to perform, long working hours and skipping meals etc.

DIABETES MELLITUS

DIABETES MELLITUS- Types, Symptoms, Management
It is a disorder that involves the hormone producing part of the pancreas, leading to a partial or complete deficiency of insulin.

Types

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus

It is much less common in India (<5% of the total number of diabetic patients) and is associated with a near total lack of insulin. It is usually common among those who below the age of 30 years.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

It usually comes on after the age of 30 years and is associated with urbanization, modern life style and obesity where the body’s own insulin doesn’t function properly.

Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

Management of diabetes mellitus
This involves a crucial triad of DED (Diet, Exercises and Drugs).

Diet involves high protein, low fat and low carbohydrate foods such as plant based proteins, fish, chicken, milk products and soy products.

People with diabetes mellitus are encouraged to do exercises daily for better blood sugar control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended that an aerobic exercises can be planned for 30 minutes daily and the intensity and duration of exercise can be planned individually under physician’s guidance.

The recommended drugs are Biguanides, Sulphonylureas, Metaglinides, Alphaglycosidase Inhibitors, Thiazolidinediones (avoid in liver diseases) and Insulin therapy. The diabetic patients who are on drugs should be cautious about the side effects such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. They should always carry some sweet foods to counter hypoglycemic attack.