Did you know that more than 30 million Americans have diabetes? On top of that statistic, 25% don’t even know they have it. With so many diagnosed or showing risk factors at an early age, it’s important to know what diabetes is, how it impacts your health, and how to manage it.
What is Diabetes?
According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. When we eat, our bodies change food into glucose and insulin helps move that glucose into our cells to be used as energy. However, if you are diagnosed with diabetes, your body may not produce enough insulin, may not use it properly, or a combination of the two. This surplus of glucose can have serious health impacts.
Types of Diabetes
According to the CDC, there are a few main types of diabetes: type 1, type, gestational diabetes, and LADA autoimmune diabetes. There is also a condition termed prediabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake) that stops your body from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to survive. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. It develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults). You may not notice any symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood sugar tested if you’re at risk. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born but increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later in life.
Prediabetes
In the United States, 96 million adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. What’s more, more than 8 in 10 of them don’t know they have it. With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is if you have prediabetes, a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program can help you take healthy steps to reverse it.
LADA
Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) is autoimmune diabetes that begins in adulthood and does not need insulin for glycemic (blood sugar) control at least in the first six months after diagnosis. It shares many common symptoms of both type 1 and 2. Compared to type 1, which usually is found in a younger population, this autoimmune disease affects mostly adults aged 35 and older.
Health Impact of Diabetes
Diabetes, if untreated, can cause damage to the large blood vessels which can cause long-term health problems, such as heart disease, skin conditions, hearing impairment, immune system damage, nerve damage, eye problems, and kidney disease. In addition, those with Type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Seniors that live with undiagnosed/untreated diabetes are more likely to have memory problems, depression, and difficulty managing their diabetes. Those with diabetes also have a greater chance of heart disease and stroke.
How to Manage Your Diabetes
It is very important that you manage your diabetes to avoid the negative health impacts mentioned above. To manage your diabetes, make sure to:
- Quit smoking
- Check your blood sugar (glucose) at home
- Stay active and get regular exercise
- Develop a healthy meal plan
- Monitor your sugar intake
- Take prescribed medication as directed
- Discuss your blood pressure, weight, and check your feet at all of your doctor’s visits
- Learn about the disease and remain vigilant
Managing your diabetes can be difficult but there are ways that you can track it yourself. One way to manage your diabetes is using a diabetes management app. You can read more about the top 4 ranked apps here.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes then you need to take it seriously, follow your doctor’s advice, and stay actively engaged in your day-to-day food intake. If you do not have diabetes, discuss ways to reduce your risk with your physician. Take proactive steps today and you could be preventing heart disease or other health risks from happening to you.
