Recommitting to health for National Diabetes Month
By Jamie Morris, El Paso County Public Health, Preventative Health Services Division Manager
There is a good chance that you or someone you love is living with diabetes. Nearly one in two Americans has diabetes or is prediabetic.
But while diabetes is common, many people do not understand how diabetes impacts the body, what risks it carries or how to prevent it. By understanding more, you can make informed choices to prevent diabetes and other related health conditions.
What is diabetes?
When you have diabetes, your body is unable to effectively lower your blood sugar. Overtime, diabetes can lead to a host of other health problems like heart disease, vision and hearing problems, kidney disease, nerve damage, skin conditions, slow healing, sleep apnea and dementia. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Diabetes impacts how your body gets energy. When you eat, your body turns most of your food, especially sugars and carbohydrates, into a form of sugar called glucose. Your body releases glucose into your blood, raising your blood sugar. Glucose feeds your cells, giving you energy. (If you produce more glucose than your body can burn, it is stored for later.) But, for your cells to absorb glucose and make energy, they need a special key to unlock your cells, called insulin. Insulin is released by your pancreas.
When people have diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t release enough or any insulin. Sometimes this is caused by an autoimmune condition. This is called Type 1 diabetes. Another common cause of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This develops during pregnancy and may not last past the pregnancy. It must be treated promptly.
In other cases, the system breaks down. The pancreas can’t keep up and produce enough insulin to normalize blood sugar, and the cells accept less glucose. This is called insulin resistance, and it is what causes Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is much more common in people of all ages. It is also preventable.
Since Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, this article will address its signs and symptoms, risks and prevention.
Signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes
Are you concerned you may have Type 2 diabetes or be prediabetic? Visiting your doctor for testing is the best way to know for sure. But, according to the American Diabetes Association, there are some common signs and symptoms to watch for including the following:
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry — even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling, pain or numbness in the hands/feet
If you are experiencing symptoms or think you might be at risk for diabetes, ask your doctor for testing. Early detection can help you avoid diabetes complications.
Risks and prevention
The biggest risks for developing Type 2 diabetes include excess weight, carrying excess weight around the middle of your body, sitting a lot or being less active, a family history of diabetes, race and ethnicity (people of certain backgrounds are at higher risk), low good cholesterol (HDL) and/or high bad cholesterol (LDL), being older than 35, having prediabetes, having previously had gestational diabetes, and having polycystic ovary syndrome.
The good news is that there are powerful steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight will decrease your chances of becoming diabetic. A healthy diet, which limits added sugars, fats, and processed foods and emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-fiber foods will also reduce your risk. Finally, limiting the amount of time you sit to no more than 30 minutes at a time and aiming for 150 minutes or more of moderate to difficult aerobic exercise every week is an excellent prevention step.
Remember, diabetes doesn’t have to be scary. By talking to your doctor about your risk and taking proactive steps to improve your health, you can lower your chances of developing diabetes and increase your quality of life.
