If you’re like most people, you probably know someone with diabetes. Maybe you have diabetes yourself. Diabetes is a prevalent disease, affecting over 30 million Americans. But what exactly is diabetes, and what do you need to do to live with it? This blog post will answer those questions and more. So keep reading for everything you need to know about diabetes!
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What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the body can’t use its insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars (like glucose) to build up in your blood rather than be transported into other cells, where they are used for energy. If this happens over time, diabetes can cause problems with your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums/teeth. Diabetes is also closely linked to obesity.
Types Of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes – In this type of diabetes, the body doesn’t have enough insulin because the immune system attacks and destroys its beta cells. This means that your body can’t produce enough insulin to get rid of sugar from the blood. Type 1 diabetes has been called “juvenile” diabetes because it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. However, anyone at any age can have Type 1 Diabetes, even newborn babies!
Type 2 Diabetes – In this type of diabetes, either your pancreas does not make enough insulin or your cells don’t use insulin well. As a result, glucose builds up in your blood instead of going into the cells where it belongs. Although anyone can develop Type 2 diabetes if they gain weight and don’t get enough physical activity, Type 2 diabetes is much more common in people who are overweight or obese.
Type 3 Diabetes – called gestational diabetes – can occur during pregnancy. If you’ve had gestational diabetes and then developed any of the symptoms for Type 2 Diabetes (see below), please visit your doctor right away! Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, but women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later.
How Can I Prevent Diabetes?
The best way to reduce your risk of getting diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active. You can do this by eating a balanced diet and exercising for half an hour, five days a week. If you’re at high risk for diabetes, talk to your doctor about getting tested for it. And if you’re already diagnosed with diabetes, make sure you practice good self-care (like keeping track of your blood sugar levels and staying on top of your medications) and get regular checkups!
Symptoms Of Diabetes
There are three main symptoms of diabetes. They include Extreme thirst, Fatigue Weight loss And there are a few warning signs you should look out for as well: frequent urination (especially at night), blurred vision numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet If you’re experiencing any or all of these symptoms, then contact your doctor right away! More symptoms like skin problems, yeast infections, and frequent infections can also be signs of diabetes.
How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
The first step to getting diabetes treatment is knowing you have it. Your doctor can diagnose diabetes using three things: A medical history, physical exams, and Laboratory Tests. High levels of sugar in the urine or blood could mean that you have diabetes. If your doctor thinks diabetes may be causing your symptoms, they may also recommend other tests to confirm their diagnosis. The two most common are an HbA1c test (to check how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past three months) or a fructosamine test (similar to an HbA1c but only measures control over the past week).
What Are The Risks Of Diabetes?
If you have diabetes, you should be aware of three specific risks: heart disease, high blood pressure, and nerve damage. All three of these conditions are linked to diabetes, and controlling blood sugar levels can help prevent them from developing. Diabetes also makes you more likely to have eye problems or gum disease, so you must get regular checkups for both of those issues as well.
How Is Diabetes Treated?
The primary treatment for diabetes is insulin therapy. Insulin therapy helps the body use glucose and brings sugars down to normal levels in the blood. You can get insulin by giving yourself shots or through an insulin pump. Many people with diabetes take oral medications and insulin therapy to help lower blood sugar levels even more. Besides controlling your diet (to prevent excess weight gain) and getting regular exercise, there are no other treatments for diabetes at this time, although scientists are working on it!
Conclusion
Diabetes is a severe condition that can cause various health problems if it’s not treated. It’s essential to be aware of the symptoms, risks, and treatment options for diabetes so you can get the care you need. Make sure you know the facts so you can keep yourself healthy! If you feel like you might have diabetes, talk to your doctor right away. They can help you get started on the right treatment plan for you. Thanks for reading!
