You’ve probably heard about diabetes, but you might not know what it is or how it affects your life. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body can’t produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Insulin helps your body use sugar from foods you eat. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, it can’t properly use sugar. This causes high levels of glucose in your blood, which causes serious health problems. If left untreated, diabetes can cause serious complications and even death.
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce any insulin at all. This type of diabetes usually strikes children under the age of 20, although adults can also develop this condition. In Type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells do not respond to insulin, but it still produces some insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting about 90 percent of people with diabetes. People who have Type 2 diabetes can live long and healthy lives if they take steps to control their diabetes and manage their blood sugar levels.
People who have diabetes often experience other health problems as well. Some of these problems include kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, and heart disease. These conditions can be prevented or delayed through proper treatment and care of your diabetes.
If you think you have diabetes, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will perform tests to determine if you have diabetes. Your doctor may ask questions such as whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes before, if you have a family history of diabetes, and if you have certain risk factors for diabetes. You may also need to have a physical examination to assess your overall health and check your blood pressure, height, weight, and waist size. The doctor may also order lab tests to measure your blood sugar levels.
Once your doctor has determined that you have diabetes, he or she will likely begin treating you for diabetes. Treatment options may include diet changes, exercise, and medication. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you will need to inject yourself with insulin. This treatment requires you to carefully monitor your blood sugar levels. It is important to test your blood sugar frequently throughout the day. You should test your blood sugar several times each day, including before meals and after meals. If your blood sugar level is too low, you will need to eat or drink something sweet to raise your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar level rises above normal, you should stop eating or drinking something sweet. You should also avoid alcohol and sugary drinks because they raise your blood sugar level.
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe one of several different medications to help lower your blood sugar level. You may also need to make changes to your lifestyle. For example, you may need to start exercising regularly and eating healthier. You should try to follow a healthy diet plan, which includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating a lot of whole grains, lean protein, and unsaturated fats is also important. If you have diabetes, you should also avoid eating a lot of saturated fat, such as butter, cheese, and red meat. You should also limit your intake of sugar, especially if you have diabetes.
Treating diabetes can be difficult, but you can prevent serious health problems by making healthy lifestyle choices. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, talk to your doctor about ways to control your diabetes.
