What are the types of diabetes?
More than 30.3 million Americans have one form of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that prevents your body from making insulin. Your immune system attacks the cells in your pancreas that make this hormone, which is essential in controlling your blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Usually, type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. This condition compromises your body’s ability to make and use insulin. Usually, type 2 diabetes develops as you age, but certain lifestyle factors can cause it to develop sooner.
Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women. It’s similar to type 2 diabetes.
Without management, any type of diabetes can lead to serious health issues, including kidney failure, neurological symptoms, foot and eye issues, and heart disease.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes symptoms vary depending on whether you have type 1 or type 2. You also don’t have to have all of the symptoms to have the disease. Watch for the following:
- Increased thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores or wounds
- Frequent infections
Dr. Nama runs a blood test that measures your glucose levels to see if your numbers reflect high blood sugar. If your numbers are elevated, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, you may be diagnosed with prediabetes, which means you have a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes if you don’t steps to take control of your blood sugar levels.
Who is at risk of developing diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes usually has a genetic component and is triggered by a faulty immune system. But, you may be at risk of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes if you have:
- A family history of type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- If you are overweight or obese
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- If you are older than 45
- A sedentary lifestyle
- HDL cholesterol levels lower than 40 mg/dL
If you had gestational diabetes in the past, this also increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
How is diabetes treated?
Dr. Nama helps you control your diabetes with lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and regular physical activity. If you have type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin. Those with type 2 diabetes may benefit from medications taken along with lifestyle changes that control blood sugar levels.
If you want more information about diabetes diagnosis and treatment, call the office of Dr. Nama or book an appointment online.
