What Is Diabetes And How Do You Manage It

By: Adam Sharvit
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What Is Diabetes And How Do You Manage It

Diabetes refers to a group of diseases which affects how your body uses blood sugar, otherwise known as glucose. Glucose is vital to your health because it is an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues, as well as the main source of fuel for your brain. The underlying cause of diabetes can vary by type, however no matter which type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in your blood, which in turn can result in serious health problems.

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes which is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be considered diabetes, as well as gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy but may resolve after the baby is delivered.

Symptoms

Diabetes symptoms can vary greatly dependent on how much your blood sugar is elevated. Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not experience symptoms initially, however in type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are:

Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Extreme hunger
Unexplained weight loss
Presence of ketones in the urine (a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there’s not enough available insulin)
Fatigue
Irritability
Blurred vision
Slow-healing sores
Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections and vaginal infections

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, though it often appears during childhood or adolescence, while type 2 diabetes which is the more common type, can develop at any age, however it is most commonly found in people over the age of 40.

When to see a doctor

If you suspect you or your child might have diabetes. If you notice any possible diabetes symptoms, it is recommended to contact your doctor. The earlier that the condition is diagnosed, the sooner the treatment may begin.
If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes. After you receive your diagnosis, you’ll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar levels stabilize.

Causes

Insulin is a hormone that comes from a gland situated behind and below the stomach. The pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream, which then circulates, enabling sugar to enter your cells. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. As your blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from your pancreas.

Glucose, a sugar, is a source of energy for the cells which make up muscles and other tissues. Glucose comes from two major sources: food and your liver, whereas sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin. Your liver stores and makes glucose, but when your glucose levels are low, such as when you have not eaten in a while, the liver breaks down stored glycogen into glucose to keep your glucose level within a normal range.

Risk Factors

Family history
Environmental factors
The presence of damaging immune system cells (autoantibodies)
Geography
Weight
Inactivity
Race or ethnicity
Age
Gestational diabetes
Polycystic ovary syndrome
High blood pressure
Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Prevention

While getting type 1 diabetes is out of your control, certain lifestyle choices can help both prevent and treat prediabetes, type 2, or also gestational diabetes including:

Eat healthy foods. Choose foods lower in fat and calories and higher in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to prevent boredom.
Get more physical activity. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike. Swim laps. If you can’t fit in a long workout, break it up into smaller sessions spread throughout the day.
Lose excess pounds. If you’re overweight, losing even 7 percent of your body weight, for example, 14 pounds *6.4 kilograms) if you weigh 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms), can reduce the risk of diabetes

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Speak to your medical professional or pharmacist for more information.

The material in this blog was sourced from: mayoclinic.org; travel.gc.ca; cdc.gov/travel. It is intended for information purposes only and should not be used in place of consultation with a healthcare professional. Participating retailers/pharmacies, vendors, and/or agencies are not responsible for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies with respect to the information contained in this ﬂyer and do not accept liability whatsoever for reliance by the reader on the information contained herein.