November is observed as Diabetes Awareness Month
As you hit menopause, your body goes through numerous hormonal changes. This happens because the ovaries tend to stop producing ova or egg, leading to hormonal fluctuations. These changes in your body put you at a risk of many diseases, including diabetes. Dr Nupur Gupta, Gynaecologist and obstetrician, Well Woman Clinic, Gurgaon ‘Though there is no direct evidence that menopause can lead to diabetes, as you age, you are more prone to high blood pressure and weight gain, which in turn are risk factors of diabetes. Hence, there is a high chance that you might suffer from diabetes after menopause.’
During menopause, the production of estrogen and progesterone, hormones that play a key role in regulating menstrual cycle, stops. Sudden changes in these hormones lead to fluctuation in your blood sugar level and also affect how your cells respond to insulin, a hormone that in turn controls your blood sugar level. You may also like to read about 10 everyday things that increase your blood sugar level.
Also, as you age, you tend to lead an inactive lifestyle that not only makes you lethargic but also lowers your fitness level. Also, if you are working women, staying indoors make you feel depressed. Most women gain weight due to fat deposition around the waist and hip as they reach 50. This is mainly attributed to an intake of foods rich in fats and low in proteins during menopause. And this in turn might lead to fluctuations in your blood glucose levels, increasing your risk of diabetes. The risk is even higher if you develop hypertension or diabetes during pregnancy or suffer from PCOD (polycystic ovarian syndrome). And all these factors form a vicious cycle that leads to diabetes.
To lower your risk of diabetes and lead a healthy life post menopause, eat a healthy diet and maintain an active lifestyle. And also, get a regular blood sugar test done once you reach 50 years of age. Here are 3 tests for diabetes you should know about.
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