What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires long-term management and, in most cases, major lifestyle changes. There are several types of the disease, and they all affect the way your body processes blood sugar (glucose).
Your cells use glucose as a source of energy to perform their individual functions, but only if they can access it. A hormone called insulin, produced by your pancreas, facilitates the delivery of glucose into your cells for energy. However, if your body either doesn’t produce insulin or can’t use it effectively, glucose builds up in your blood and can cause serious complications.
Which type of diabetes do I have?
The different types of diabetes involve separate complications with insulin:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes fits into the category of autoimmune diseases, which occur when your immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. In this case, it attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Therefore, you do not produce it.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common, accounting for about 90% of cases. It shares strong links with obesity, though unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise aren’t always the main causes. It develops when your body becomes insulin-resistant and can no longer use the hormone effectively despite the ongoing production of it in your pancreas.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes behaves similarly to Type 2 and occurs in pregnant women. It develops because of hormones in your placenta that compromise the use of insulin. It typically goes away after you give birth, but it increases your likelihood of getting Type 2 diabetes later on.
What are some early signs and symptoms of diabetes?
The symptoms of diabetes occur because of the elevated levels of glucose in your blood and not because of the behavior of insulin if you have it. You should schedule an appointment at InCare or bring up your symptoms during an annual physical exam if you experience:
- Fatigue
- Elevated thirst
- Elevated hunger
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Mood changes
- Recurring infections
Over time without management, increased glucose in your blood from diabetes can cause serious health complications throughout your body. Consistent, diligent diabetes management can minimize your chances of vision loss, neuropathy, foot damage, and dementia.
How can I manage my diabetes effectively?
Diabetes management for any type of diabetes almost always requires healthy lifestyle changes. Our team at InCare can help you adjust your diet to be healthier and adopt reasonable exercise into your routine to further improve your health. We even offer video appointments for your convenience.
Type 1 diabetes management always requires artificial insulin that you need to take every day. The InCare team teaches you to replace the insulin your body can’t produce with regular doses of prescribed insulin.
Type 2 diabetes may or may not require insulin. If you can’t manage the condition with healthy lifestyle changes alone, you might need to take insulin or other medications that reduce the effects of diabetes in other ways.
To manage your diabetes effectively with the help of a caring and expert physician, call InCare today or schedule a consultation online.
