Diabetes. A word no one likes to hear when reaching a diagnosis, especially when you consider all of the responsibilities that come along with it. Even though diabetes seems like a scary word in the beginning, it is very common and can be managed when you are aware of what you need to do. In honor of National Diabetes Month, we’re here to talk about what diabetes is, how it affects you and what the different types are.
Diabetes Defined
Diabetes is a disease that impacts how the body uses blood glucose (sugar). There are a few main types of this disease for which there is no cure, but many ways to manage. Diabetes affects approximately 30 million people in the United States with nearly 1.5 million more people diagnosed every year. It is a serious disease that requires many changes to your health, diet and lifestyle.
The Effects of Diabetes
Diabetes affects your life in many ways. From the beginning, typically before diagnosis, you can find yourself feeling the following symptoms:
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty often
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Bruises that are hard to heal
While this is a short list, the symptoms vary depending on the type of diabetes that you are diagnosed with. After diagnosis, you will be monitoring your blood sugar regularly and will get A1C blood tests regularly each year to keep track of your levels. Many other things are common depending on the type and severity as well such as: weight loss, change in diet/healthy eating, regular exercise, possible insulin therapy, etc.
Types of Diabetes
There are many types of diabetes, but the most common are type 1, type 2 and gestational. While they are all types of diabetes, there are many differences that distinguish them from one another.
Type 1: Also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, type 1 diabetes generally begins in childhood years. It occurs when the body attacks the pancreas resulting in a damaged pancreas that cannot produce insulin. Treatment requires taking insulin, frequent testing of blood sugar levels, careful meal planning and daily exercise.
Type 2: This is by far the most common type of diabetes accounting for nearly 95% of all cases. This is often caused by being overweight, and can include people who do not produce enough insulin or who are insulin resistant. While there is no cure, this can be controlled through weight management, nutrition and exercise.
Gestational: This type is less common and affects 2-10% of pregnant women whose pregnancies can lead them to become slightly insulin resistant. This generally resolves after pregnancy, but can lead to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later down the road. This can be controlled during pregnancy by tracking and planning your meals, daily exercise, controlled pregnancy weight gain, and possibly medication if necessary.
While most people are aware of diabetes, not many are aware of the lifestyle changes and complications that come with it. ACG Medical carries diabetic supplies and equipment that can help you control your diabetes. If you are one of the 10% of the world’s population affected by diabetes, reach out to ACG Medical Supply to see what we have to offer you to help manage and eliminate your pain.
