Diabetes

Consuming too much sugar can lead to significant health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects the body's ability to turn food into energy. Glucose, which is a crucial energy source for the body and brain, is created when food is broken down and released into the bloodstream.

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a critical role in allowing glucose to enter the body's cells to produce energy. Individuals with diabetes may struggle to produce enough insulin or may have trouble using it effectively. 

Diabetes has many risk factors, including age, weight, family history, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, physical activity, and gestational diabetes. It's important to be aware of these risks and take steps to minimize them. This includes eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and seeing your health care provider regularly. 

Types of Diabetes

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar level is higher than the normal range but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, you are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. However, you can prevent or delay prediabetes by adopting healthy habits through a diabetes prevention program, like RESET: Small Steps, Big Change.

Type 1 diabetes is a condition that is frequently diagnosed in children, teenagers, and young adults. Although the exact cause is uncertain, it is known to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly attacks itself. If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas is either not producing enough insulin or not producing any insulin at all. Type 1 diabetes affects only 5% to 10% of all diabetes patients. 

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% to 95% of all diagnosed diabetes cases. This occurs when your cells become resistant to insulin. Typically, type 2 diabetes develops in adults 45 and older, however, it can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and regular physical activity.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. If left untreated, it can lead to issues for both the mother and the baby. It occurs in around 2-10% of all pregnancies but generally disappears after delivery. However, having gestational diabetes while pregnant can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes for both the mother and the baby.

If you want to know if you are at risk for diabetes, take the prediabetes risk test.

If your score is five or higher, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with your health care provider for a blood sugar test.

Resources

• Diabetes Kickstart 7 Self-care Steps to Manage Diabetes 
• Managing Diabetes: Medicare Coverage and Resources
• Steps to Help You Stay Healthy With Diabetes
• Diabetes and Mental Health
• American Diabetes Association

• Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Your Medicines
• Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Healthy Eyes
• Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Healthy Feet
• Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Healthy Teeth
• Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Healthy Ears
• Take Care of Your Kidneys
• Keep Your Kidneys Healthy – Control Your Blood Pressure
• Make the Diabetes and Kidney Disease Connection
• Diabetes Care During Disasters