Most of us know what we need to do to stay healthy. Eating right, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. Yet not everyone does this. And this has led to an increase in people living with diabetes. As you get older, the risk of developing diabetes increases. If you think about it, you probably know someone who suffers from diabetes – a relative, a friend, a colleague. Diabetes can affect anyone, regardless of their social, economic or ethnic background.
Diabetes is a medical condition in which sugar or glucose levels build up in your bloodstream. Your body converts the carbohydrates in the food you eat into sugar, or glucose. Because carbohydrates are present in varying amounts in most foods, including fruits and vegetables, it's important to monitor the foods you eat. The sugar that is produced goes to cells of the body through the blood to make energy. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. The pancreas's job is to release enough insulin to move the sugar into your body's cells, where the sugar is used to release energy. The insulin acts as a bridge for the sugar to enter your cells and travel to other parts of the body. But sometimes this system doesn't work well. Diabetes is caused when your body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively.
In type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce insulin. The most common form of diabetes is type 2 where blood sugar rises higher than normal. Initially, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But over time, it can't make enough insulin to keep your blood sugar at normal levels. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going to the cells, your cells are starved for energy. Over time, the high blood sugar can hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves, or heart. Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes, medication (pills), and insulin.
Early detection of diabetes is important. See your doctor if you experience the following common symptoms of diabetes.
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Constantly hungry – even though you have eaten
extreme fatigue
Blurry sight
Cuts/bruises that heal slowly
Weight loss – even if you eat more (Type 1)
Tingling, pain or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
However, the symptoms vary in strength or discomfort from person to person and can also be a warning sign that you have pre-diabetes. If left unchecked, it can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Overweight/lack of regular exercise
Family history of diabetes
Self-identified as pre-diabetes
Cultural background
Older than 65 years
If you have had gestational diabetes before
Managing diabetes is a daily challenge to keep blood sugar levels in the desired range. Balancing the foods you eat with exercise and medications (if prescribed) will help you manage your weight and keep your blood glucose healthy.
