It is estimated that four out of every 1,000 people in the United States have diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the way your body metabolizes (processes) sugar. It can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and lower-limb amputations.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, while type 2 diabetes is more common in adults. However, type 2 diabetes is now also being diagnosed in children and adolescents as the incidence of obesity has increased.
Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed. With proper management, people with diabetes can live long and healthy lives.
Causes
Type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices. Being overweight or obese, having a sedentary lifestyle, and eating unhealthy foods all contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Mayo Clinic says that Type 1 diabetes, previously called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the body doesn't produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Normally, the pancreas (an organ behind your stomach) releases insulin into your bloodstream when you eat to help your body store and use the sugar and fat from the food. With Type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce insulin, so the sugar stays in your bloodstream. This can cause life-threatening complications.
There are two main types of diabetes, known as "Type 1" and "Type 2". Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to a total lack of insulin production. Patients with Type 1 must take daily insulin injections to survive. On the other hand, patients with Type 2 diabetes have8 abnormally high levels of sugar in their blood despite having relatively normal or even high levels of circulating insulin
Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 diabetes, accounting for around 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. It is most commonly diagnosed in childhood or adolescence but can occur in adults as well
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose). Glucose is the main source of energy for your body. When you have type 2 diabetes, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively. Untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to a buildup of sugars in your blood, which can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.
Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.
You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this form of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults. People of certain racial and ethnic groups are also at increased risk, such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans.
If you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, you’re more likely to develop the condition yourself. Other risk factors include having prediabetes — high blood sugar that doesn’t yet qualify as diabetes — or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds. Obesity is another major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
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Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to cope with the demands of pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can lead to insulin resistance. This means that the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. Insulin resistance can lead to high blood sugar levels.
If gestational diabetes is not treated, it can cause problems for both mother and baby. These include an increased risk of:
-pre-eclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine
-having a large baby (macrosomia)
-needing a caesarean section
-developing type 2 diabetes later in life
-developing obesity
-having a stillbirth
-miscarriage
You will be offered a blood test to check for gestational diabetes at around 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes can be very mild. In fact, of the 29 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes, one in four doesn’t know it because the early symptoms don’t seem worth paying attention to. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor and get tested for diabetes:
-You’re drinking lots more water than usual
-You have to pee all the time
-You’re very tired
-Your mouth is always dry
-You’re losing weight without trying
-Your cuts or bruises heal slowly
-You get infections often
-You’re blurred vision
Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when your fasting blood glucose level is 7.0 mmol/L or above, and/or when your blood glucose level is 11.1 mmol/L or above two hours after having an oral glucose tolerance test.
Treatment
The most important thing in the treatment of diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels under control. A person with diabetes needs to monitor their blood sugar levels carefully. There are a number of different ways to do this, and the best method for each person may vary.
Diet
Diet is a crucial part of managing diabetes, and it’s important to work with a registered dietitian to develop an eating plan that fits your needs. Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to pay special attention to the amount of carbohydrates you eat at each meal, how often you eat, and the types of food you eat.
There are several different approaches to managing diabetes through diet, and the approach that’s right for you may change over time as your needs change. Some people with diabetes find that they can best manage their blood sugar levels by following a specific diet, such as the ketogenic diet or the Atkins diet. Others may prefer a more flexible approach, such as the Plate Method, which emphasizes healthy portion sizes and balanced meals. Still others choose to follow a gluten-free or vegetarian diet in order to best manage their diabetes.
No matter what approach you take, it’s important to make sure that your meals are high in nutrients and low in empty calories. Eating a healthy diet can help you control your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and reduce your risk of developing complications such as heart disease or stroke.
Exercise
Exercise is an important part of any diabetes treatment plan. It can help you manage your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, and improve your overall health.
There are three types of exercise that are particularly helpful for people with diabetes:
Aerobic exercise: This type of exercise helps your heart and lungs work more efficiently and can lower your blood sugar levels. Aerobic exercise can include activities such as walking, running, swimming, or bicycling.
Resistance exercise: This type of exercise helps build muscle and can also help lower blood sugar levels. Resistance exercise can include activities such as lifting weights or using resistance bands.
Flexibility exercise: This type of exercise helps improve your range of motion and can also help reduce stress and improve blood sugar control. Flexibility exercise can include activities such as yoga or tai chi.
Medication
There are a variety of different medications that can be used to treat diabetes, and the type of medication that you will need will depend on the type of diabetes that you have. For example, if you have type 1 diabetes, you will need to take insulin injections, while if you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to control your condition with oral medication.
There are a number of different types of oral medication that can be used to treat type 2 diabetes, and the exact medication that you will need will depend on your individual circumstances. For example, if your diabetes is not well controlled with diet and exercise alone, you may need to take a sulfonylurea drug, which helps to increase the amount of insulin that your body produces.
Other common oral medications for type 2 diabetes include metformin, which helps to improve the way that your body uses insulin, and thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which can help to improve insulin sensitivity. In some cases, a combination of different types of medication may be necessary in order to achieve good blood sugar control.
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Insulin therapy
Insulin therapy is a treatment for diabetes that involves taking insulin injections or using an insulin pump.
There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, young adults, or adolescents. Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of the disease and is usually diagnosed in adults. However, type 2 diabetes is on the rise in children and adolescents.
There are several different types of insulin that can be used for insulin therapy. The type of insulin you use will depend on your individual needs. Some people with diabetes may need to take more than one type of insulin.
The most common types of insulin include:
-Rapid-acting insulin: This type of insulin starts to work within 15 minutes after injection and has its peak effect within 1 hour. Rapid-acting insulin is used to treat high blood sugar that happens with meals or snacks. Examples of rapid-acting insulins include Humalog, Novolog, and Apidra.
-Short-acting insulin: This type of insulin starts to work within 30 minutes after injection and has its peak effect within 3-4 hours. Short-acting insulin is used to treat high blood sugar that happens with meals or snacks. Short-acting insulins include Regular and Humulin R.
-Intermediate-acting insulin: This type of insulin starts to work within 2-4 hours after injection and has its peak effect 6-12 hours later. Intermediate-acting insulins are mostly used at night to lower morning blood sugar levels (before breakfast). Intermediate-acting insulins include NPH (Humulin N) and Lente (Humulin L).
Prevention of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose). Too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and damage to the nerves, kidneys, and eyes.
You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by making lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking. even if you have diabetes in your family, you can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by making these lifestyle changes.
Coping with diabetes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that can cause serious health complications if not managed well. It is important to learn how to cope with diabetes and manage it effectively to minimise the risk of developing complications. Here are some tips on how to cope with diabetes.
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Dealing with the emotional impact
The emotional impact of diabetes can be just as tough to deal with as the physical symptoms. It's common to feel frustrated, angry, worried, or even depressed when you're dealing with diabetes. But there are things you can do to manage these feelings and make living with diabetes easier.
Here are some tips for dealing with the emotional impact of diabetes:
-Talk to your doctor or a counselor about how you're feeling. It can be helpful to talk to someone who understands what you're going through.
-Join a support group for people with diabetes. Connecting with others who have diabetes can help you feel less alone and give you practical tips for dealing with the condition.
-Exercise regularly. Exercise can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
-Eat a healthy diet. Eating healthy foods can help improve your mood and give you more energy.
-Make time for yourself. Take some time each day to do something that you enjoy, such as reading, gardening, or taking a walk.
Dealing with diabetes-related health complications
Diabetes can cause a number of different health complications. These include both short-term complications and long-term complications.
Short-term health complications can happen when your diabetes is not well controlled. These include things like low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia). Both of these can be dangerous if not treated quickly.
Long-term health complications happen over time as a result of having diabetes. These include things like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), and eye problems.
The best way to deal with diabetes-related health complications is to prevent them from happening in the first place. This means keeping your blood sugar levels under control. It also means getting regular checkups with your doctor so that any problems can be caught early and treated before they become serious.
Living with diabetes can be challenging, but it is possible to manage the condition and live a full and healthy life. There are a number of things that people with diabetes can do to stay healthy, including eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking diabetes medications as prescribed.