What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make or use insulin properly, resulting in sugar levels in the bloodstream that are above normal. Type 2 diabetes occurs when a person cannot produce enough insulin or use insulin efficiently. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the person does not produce any insulin. Insulin is required to carry sugar to your cells for energy. Blood sugar levels rise when insulin isn’t working normally. High blood sugar is also called hyperglycemia. If it’s not treated early, hyperglycemia can cause serious health problems that require emergency care, including a diabetic coma.
Diabetes is a risk factor for many serious complications, such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Amputations
- Vision loss/blindness
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage
There is no cure for diabetes, but you can manage it.
Warning signs for diabetes:
- Frequent urination
- Extreme thirst or hunger
- Sudden weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Dry, itchy skin
- Weakness
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Slow healing cuts or sores
Factors that increase your risk for diabetes:
- Age - 45 or older
- Overweight
- Family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Lack of exercise
- Elevated cholesterol
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- Giving birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
- Family background that is African American, Hispanic/ Latino, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander.
What can you do to help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
However, type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes, can be prevented or delayed in many cases.
Here are some tips to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk.
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity, such as taking a brisk walk, can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower your blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats can help prevent diabetes. Limiting the intake of processed and high-sugar foods can also help.
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Get regular checkups: Regular check-ups with your doctor can help identify any risk factors for diabetes and catch it early if it does develop.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress can contribute to the development of diabetes, so managing stress through activities such as meditation, yoga, or exercise can be helpful.
It's also important to know if you have a family history of diabetes or if you have any other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. In these cases, it's important to work closely with your doctor to manage your risk and prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
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