Diabetic questions
One of the world’s leading health issues is diabetes. Although it has become widespread in every corner of the globe, not all understand what diabetes truly is. If you don’t know a thing or two about this condition, this article will help you. Here are eight frequently asked diabetic questions:
What is diabetes?
Diabetes refers to a kind of disease involving the body’s blood sugar (glucose). It has different types, such as type 1, type 2, gestational, and prediabetes. This condition particularly affects how the body produces and uses insulin. Over time, diabetes can progress to different complications if proper treatment is missing.
How can I be tested for Diabetes?
A blood test is required to measure blood sugar levels for diabetes and determine an ongoing abnormality in your blood sugar. The most common method for blood tests involves pricking a finger and having a small drop of blood tested with a blood glucose meter.
Another form of the test includes the A1C test or glycated hemoglobin test. It will not require you to fast for a period of time. It results from your blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months.
What health problems does it cause?
Without proper treatment, diabetes can lead to different complications. These are as follows:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney damage
- Nerve damage
Other complications of diabetes that affect several important body systems are:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Gastroparesis
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Kidney failure
- High blood pressure
- Digital sclerosis
- Diabetic dermopathy
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Amputation
- Vision loss
- Erectile dysfunction
What types of diabetes am I at risk for?
As mentioned, there are different types of diabetes. Here are the risk factors of each type that you need to consider:
Type 1 Diabetes:
- Family history of diabetes (including parents and siblings)
- Age (although type 1 diabetes can happen at any age, it is usually common in children)
Type 2 Diabetes:
- Diagnosed with prediabetes
- Overweight or obese
- Aged 45 years and above
- Family history of diabetes (including parents and siblings)
- Physically inactive or lack exercise
- Diagnosed with gestational diabetes
Prediabetes:
- Overweight or obese
- Aged 45 years and above
- Family history of diabetes (including parents and siblings)
- Physically inactive or lack exercise
- Diagnosed with gestational diabetes
Gestational Diabetes:
- Diagnosed with gestational diabetes
- Overweight or obese
- Aged 25 years and older
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
- Diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
How can diabetes be treated?
The main form of diabetes treatment is insulin. Since type 1 and type 2 diabetes affect the production and usage of the body’s insulin, a dose of synthetic insulin is necessary to stabilize blood sugar levels. Insulin treatment also has different forms. These are as follows:
- Rapid-acting
- Short-acting
- Intermediate-acting
- Long-acting
- Ultra-long acting
Oral drugs are also available, besides insulin treatment. The most common oral drug for this treatment is Metformin (Glumetza and Fortamet). Aside from Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors are also common treatments to prevent diabetes-related kidney disease.
What can I do to help prevent diabetes?
Managing diabetes can be difficult once it starts affecting your body. However, several preventions are available to take control of the condition. These are as follows:
- Lose extra weight – As mentioned, one of the contributors to type 2 diabetes is obesity or overweight. Maintaining a normal body weight translates to many health benefits.
- Regular physical exercise – Besides weight loss, engaging in daily physical activity increases insulin sensitivity. It keeps blood sugar levels in a normal range. Doctors recommend having 30 minutes to 1 hour of daily exercise.
- Eat healthy foods – Limit your carbohydrate intake. Instead, eat foods that are a high source of fiber and protein. Some of these foods include non-starchy vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking – Addiction to alcoholic beverages and cigarettes can lead to diabetes.
Does insulin cause blindness?
While insulin treatment can have many side effects, blindness is not one of them. However, untreated diabetes can lead to vision problems.
Retinal problems are one of the complications of diabetes. However, there are several ways to prevent such a condition. This involves the use of insulin for proper diabetes management. When diabetes is managed well, it prevents problems like blindness.
Can insulin cure diabetes?
Currently, there is no cure for diabetes. However, treatment options are available to provide medical care for people with the condition. These treatments involve oral drugs (Metformin) and insulin shots (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting).
Due to the absence of a cure, diabetes management is the only way to control the condition. Besides insulin and oral medications, weight loss, regular exercise, and abstaining from alcohol and smoking are other ways to manage and prevent diabetes.
Are people with diabetes restricted from consuming sugar?
The answer depends on the magnitude and stage of diabetes. If it is extensive, then sugar is a big no. However, the rest can consume sugar in moderation or as instructed by your doctor. It depends on your overall diabetes management routine.
