Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well.
Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose, or sugar, get from your blood into your cells. Without insulin, your blood sugar levels can get too high. High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and organs, and can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.
How to Know If You Have Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on the type of diabetes you have and how well your blood sugar is controlled. Some common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections
- Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor right away. Diabetes is a serious disease, but it can be managed with medication, diet, and exercise.
Risk Factors for Diabetes
There are a number of risk factors for diabetes, including:
- Obesity
- Family history of diabetes
- Age (over 45)
- Race/ethnicity (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans are at increased risk)
- Physical inactivity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Gestational diabetes
How to Prevent Diabetes
There is no sure way to prevent diabetes, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk, including:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular exercise
- Eat a healthy diet
- Quit smoking
- Control your blood pressure and cholesterol
If you are at risk for diabetes, your doctor may recommend that you get screened for the disease. Screening for diabetes is a simple blood test that can check your blood sugar levels.
Diabetes Treatment
The treatment for diabetes depends on the type of diabetes you have and how well your blood sugar is controlled. Treatment may include:
- Medication
- Diet
- Exercise
- Insulin therapy
If you have diabetes, it’s important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Diabetes is a serious disease, but it can be managed with medication, diet, and exercise.
Diabetes and Your Health
Diabetes can affect your health in a number of ways. Some of the most common complications of diabetes include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Blindness
- Nerve damage
- Amputation
These complications can be serious, but they can be prevented or delayed with proper diabetes management. If you have diabetes, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and take care of your health.
Get Help for Diabetes
If you have diabetes, there are a number of resources available to help you. These resources include:
- Your doctor
- Diabetes educators
- Support groups
- Online resources
There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed with medication, diet, and exercise. If you have diabetes, it’s important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Diabetes is a serious disease, but it can be managed with proper care.
