What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes abnormally high blood glucose, or sugar, levels.
Normally, your body collects glucose from the food you eat and then uses it to energize your cells. To assist in the process, the pancreas secretes insulin. When you have diabetes, your body can’t process glucose from your food properly. Instead, one of two things happens, which respectively describe type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to process sugar. Most often, type 1 diabetes manifests during childhood.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops when your insulin can’t get sugar into your cells, despite the fact that your pancreas produces enough. Type 2 typically shows up during adulthood and is the most common type of diabetes, as well as preventable.
Also, some women develop diabetes during pregnancy. This type of diabetes is called gestational diabetes, and it usually disappears after you give birth but increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
You may also have prediabetes, which means your blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to receive a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes is a reversible condition if you take the right lifestyle steps - Houston Internal Medicine Associates PA can help.
What are the main symptoms of diabetes?
The main symptoms of diabetes include:
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Mysterious weight loss
- Slow-to-heal sores
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Susceptibility to infection
- Blurred vision
With type 2 diabetes, these symptoms come on slowly, while the symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to develop rapidly.
How can diabetes affect my health?
Diabetes is a serious disease that, unmanaged, can wreak havoc on your health. Because excess blood sugar can harm your blood vessels, if you don’t treat it, it can eventually damage entire organs. Examples of diabetes-related complications include:
- Dental disease
- Eye damage
- Foot damage
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage
In addition, unchecked diabetes can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment.
How can I control diabetes?
With the right treatments and lifestyle changes, you can control your diabetes and prevent complications.
The exact wellness formula for you depends on the type of diabetes you have and its origin. If you suffer from type 2 diabetes or you’re prediabetic, two of the best ways you can control your disease include:
- Eating a diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Engaging in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day - Moderate physical activity includes activities like a brisk morning walk, a bike ride, or swimming laps. It is also extremely helpful to lose weight if you’re overweight or obese.
For some people, lifestyle adjustments aren’t enough to reach your health goals with diabetes. In that case, you may receive treatments from Dr. Reddy at Houston Internal Medicine Associates PA, such as insulin therapy, or medication to stimulate pancreatic insulin production. Type 1 diabetics always require insulin.
In all cases, it’s important to regularly monitor your blood sugar. By taking steps such as these, you can live a full and healthy life with your diabetes.
Do you suspect you may be suffering from diabetes, or are you struggling to control yours? If so, make an appointment at Houston Internal Medicine Associates PA today. To contact the practice, call, or use the online booking tool.
