What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is best described as a (chronic), long-term condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. Diabetes can be described when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it as well as it should. Too much sugar remains in your blood if there isn’t enough insulin or if cells stop responding to insulin. This can lead to serious health issues such as kidney disease, vision loss, heart disease and even death. And although there is no cure for diabetes currenlty, losing weight, eating healthy foods, and exercising can make a huge difference! You can reduce the effects of diabetes by taking medication as necessary, getting diabetes self-management education, support, and attending your health care appointments.
A Comprehensive Overview of Diabetes
There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
Type 1 diabetes is believed to be caused by an auto immune reaction, where the body attacks by mistake. This stops insulin from being made. Type 1 diabetes affects between 5-10% of people with diabetes & is often diagnosed quickly. It is usually diagnosed in younger children, young adults or teens. Type 1 diabetes means that you will need insulin daily to live & currently it is unknown how to prevent it.
Type 2 diabetes is when your body can’t properly use insulin and can’t keep blood sugar at a steady level. Type 2 diabetes affects between 90-95% of all diabetics. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that can develop over many years. It’s most common in adults, but it can also be diagnosed in children, teens and young adults. Even though you may not feel any symptoms, it is important to have your blood sugar checked if you are at risk. Prediabetes can lead to type 2, and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making healthier lifestyle choices such as losing weight, eating healthier foods, and exercising.
Gestational diabetes can develop in pregnant women who have never been diagnosed with diabetes before. Although gestational diabetes is usually gone after the baby is born, it can increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life. Your baby may be more at risk of developing diabetes & as a child, or as a teenager, they are more likely than others to be overweight.
What You Need to Know about Diabetes
In the United States, 96 million people have pre-diabetes. That’s more than one in three Americans. More than 8 out of 10 Americans don’t even know they have it. Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to cause type 2 diabetes. Having pre-diabetes can increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and strokes. The good news is if you have prediabetes, a CDC recognized lifestyle change program can help you take the steps needed to reverse it and help you back to a healthier lifestyle.
The level of your diabetic symptoms depends on your blood sugar levels. Sometimes the symptoms may not be present, particularly in those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes symptoms are more severe and tend to appear more quickly. It is possible for Type 1 diabetes to occur at any age but it is more common in childhood and adolescence. Type 2 diabetes is the most common, but it can occur at any age. It is not known what causes type 1 diabetes. It is believed that the insulin-producing cells of your pancreas are destroyed by your immune system, which normally fights viruses and bacteria. This leaves you with very little insulin. Instead of sugar being transported into your cells, it builds up in your bloodstream. Although genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are believed to play a role in type 1, the exact nature of those factors is unknown. Type 1 diabetes is not believed to be caused by weight.
In type-2 diabetes, your cells are resistant to insulin and your pancreas cannot make enough insulin to overcome the resistance. Instead of sugar building up in your cells, it moves into your bloodstream. Although it is not clear why this happens, genetic and environmental factors may also play a part in the development type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes can also lead to type-2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with carrying extra pounds, but not everyone with type 2 is necessarily overweight.
Here Are 4 Steps to Manage your Diabetes for Life
It is currently impossible to prevent type 1 diabetes. However, choosing to change your habits into healthier choices like the ones that help treat prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes can also help make a significant difference in your daily life:
Lose excess pounds. Losing (as little as|even|even as little as} 7% of your bodyweight (for example, 14 pounds (9.4 kilograms) if 200 pounds (90.7 kgs)) can lower the risk of developing diabetes. Focus on making permanent changes in your eating and exercise habits to keep your weight within a healthy range. Keep in mind the many benefits of losing weight such as a healthier heart and more energy, and a higher self-esteem.
Sometimes, medication is also an alternative. Metformin, Fortamet and other oral diabetic medications may reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Regardless, it’s vital to maintain a healthy lifestyle & diet. And to ensure that you don’t develop type 2 diabetes, have your blood sugar checked regularly.