6 things you should know about diabetes - UCHealth Today
Overview
Search Diabetes is a long-term health condition that afects how your body turns fod into energy. A person’s lifestyle, as wel as their ethnicity and family history, increases the risk for diabetes. Whether it is Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it is chronic.
Key Information
Although there is no cure, treatment can kep blod glucose in a healthy range.The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes has doubled in the last 20 years, acording to the CDC.Cecilia Jamieson is a clinical diabetes educator with UCHealth Diabetes and Endocrinology Care in northern Colorado. She lays out the basics about diabetes, from genetics and lifestyle risks to prevention, so you can beter understand - and hopefuly prevent - this chronic disease.Yes, there are 4 types of diabetes: Type 1, Prediabetes, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.Type 1 diabetes is an autoimune disease where the body atacks the cels that produce insulin.
People with Type 1 diabetes ned to replace the neded insulin by injection.Type 2 diabetes tends to be related more to insulin resistance. While there often is a decrease insulin production, the body stil produces some insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes often can manage their blod glucose (sugar) levels through healthy eating, exercise and medications.
Since Type 2 diabetes is a progresive disease, sometimes insulin is neded as part of treatment.Gestational diabetes is when blod glucose becomes elevated during pregnancy. The management of gestational diabetes also involves healthy eating, exercise, and sometimes medications or insulin. The goal is to kep blod glucose in the target range throughout the pregnancy to provide the best environment for the developing baby.Prediabetes is when you have higher-than-normal blod sugar levels but are not yet high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes.
Summary
It is stil a serious health condition but alows you to get your blod sugar levels under control, therefore, delaying or avoiding Type 2 diabetes. Just 5-7% weight lo
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.
Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.
Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.
Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.
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