HOW COMMON IS DIABETES?

According to the CDC more than 100 million Americans are now living with either prediabetes (70 million) or diabetes (30 million).

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition in which there is too much sugar in your blood. This happens when 1) Your body doesn’t produce enough insulin which is responsible for helping your cells absorb sugar out of your blood, or 2) Your body doesn’t use insulin properly.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES?

Signs of diabetes include:

Excessive thirst

Excessive hunger

Fatigue

Frequent urination

Blurry vision

Cuts or bruises that heal slowly

Weight loss

Tingling, numbness, or pain in your hands and feet

Proper diabetes care can help you live a healthier and longer life with fewer complications.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DIABETES?

There are four types of diabetes, which are categorized based on their cause. They are:

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar is elevated, though not enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, which is normally diagnosed in children, occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Without the insulin, excess blood sugar isn’t directed into the body’s cells but instead builds up in the blood.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, which is normally diagnosed in adults, occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly. Without the insulin, excess blood sugar isn’t directed into the body’s cells but instead builds up in the blood.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women. The exact cause is unknown, though it is believed to be related to hormonal changes. Gestational diabetes can be dangerous to mothers and their babies and requires specific care.

HOW IS DIABETES DIAGNOSED?

Diabetes is diagnosed based on different blood sugar tests. These include:

• A1C test: Checks what your average blood sugar level was over the past 2-3 months

• Fasting plasma glucose: Checks your blood sugar level after fasting for eight hours

• Oral glucose tolerance test (for pregnancy): Checks your blood sugar level after drinking a beverage high in sugar to diagnose Gestational Diabetes.

HOW IS DIABETES MANAGED?

Diabetes management depends on your diabetes diagnosis. In many cases, lifestyle changes — such as losing weight, following a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise — can reduce your blood sugar sufficiently in many cases. Taking medications to manage your blood sugar levels are the next step.

Getting proper management and checking your blood sugar regularly can prevent complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, amputations, vision loss, and death.

If you need expert care from doctors you can trust, please call to book an appointment today.