About 37 million Americans have diabetes. It affects people of all ages, ethnicities, shapes and sizes but can be managed with a healthy lifestyle and medication.
What is Diabetes?
It’s a group of chronic conditions characterized by your body’s inability to produce or use insulin. Your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, triggering your pancreas to release insulin which transfers the glucose into your body’s cells.
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: This type prevents your body from producing insulin. It occurs at any age but usually in children, teens and young adults.
Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common type of diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, your body still produces insulin but can’t use it properly. This condition is usually diagnosed in adults older than 45 but has increased in younger individuals due to obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
Symptoms of Diabetes
With type one and type two diabetes, you may experience:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Dry or itchy skin
- Slow wound healing
Type 1 diabetes symptoms develop quickly and include:
- Unintended weight loss
- Mood swings
- Weakness
Type 2 diabetes symptoms may present as:
- Extreme thirst or hunger
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Discolored patches of skin in the folds of your armpits and neck
- Numbness and pain in your feet
Causes of Diabetes
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but it’s believed to result from an autoimmune condition that makes your immune system attack the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Genetic and environmental factors may also lead to type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. That makes your pancreas make more insulin until it can no longer meet your body’s demand, resulting in decreased insulin production and high blood sugar. A family history of type 2 diabetes, excess weight or obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Is Diabetes Treatable?
Your doctor will assess your condition’s cause and risk factors and establish an ideal glucose range.
Type 1 diabetes requires you to monitor your blood sugar throughout the day. You’ll also need insulin therapy since your pancreas doesn’t produce the hormone. Insulin therapy can be administered through injection or a programmed pump that releases doses automatically.
Type 2 diabetes is manageable with a combination of a healthy lifestyle and, sometimes, medication. You will still monitor your blood sugar throughout the day and may take medication to reduce the production of glucose in your liver.
Is Diabetes Preventable?
Currently, there is no known prevention for type 1 diabetes. A nutrient-rich diet and consistent exercise regimen lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Managing your cholesterol and triglyceride levels is also an essential preventative measure. Eliminate tobacco use and limit your alcohol consumption.
Embassy Healthcare offers diabetes care to address each resident’s needs. Call 216-378-2050 for more information and schedule a tour online.
