Diabetes Awareness Month
November 29, 2024
Authored by Andrea Willard, FNP-C and Kristen Grabowski. FNP-C
Diabetes is one of the biggest health issues facing Americans today and is listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the CDC, more than 30 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, this equates to about the population in Texas. That is almost one in every 10 Americans. And many of them do not even know they have it.
But just what is diabetes? Who is at risk? And how can it be prevented? Here are a few quick points.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that develops when your body’s ability to make or use insulin is compromised. Insulin, an essential hormone, helps turn your food into energy and regulates your blood sugar levels.
“It’s important to understand this condition and get proper treatment for it right away because when your body’s insulin process is compromised, too much blood sugar remains in your bloodstream” says Andrea Willard, Primary Care Provider at Sovah Internal Medicine - Martinsville. “When this happens, it can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, loss of vision loss and more, all of which can negatively impact overall health and quality of life.”
The three types
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes results when your body stops making insulin altogether. Symptoms tend to develop quickly, and those with type 1 diabetes take insulin every day to make up for the body’s inability to do so. Risk factors of type 1 include family history and age, as the condition is often found in children, teens, and young adults. There is currently no known way to prevent type 1.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body has difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels due to an inability to use its insulin properly. Nine out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2. Risk factors include:
- Having pre-diabetes
- Being overweight
- Being 45 and older
- Having an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes
- Being physically active less than three times a week, sedentary lifestyle
- Having gestational diabetes in your medical history or having given birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds
The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented. Committing to positive lifestyle changes like eating healthy foods, engaging in regular physical activity, and losing weight if you are overweight can help you stay on the road to good health.
Gestational diabetes (occurs only in females) results when the changes your body goes through during pregnancy affect its ability to make enough insulin. While gestational diabetes typically goes away after your baby is born, both you and your child will be at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. Risk factors include:
- Previous history of gestational diabetes
- Having previously given birth to a baby weighing 9 or more pounds
- Being overweight
- Being more than 25 years old
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Having a hormone disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Working toward a healthy weight and developing healthy habits like eating a nutritious, balanced diet and getting regular exercise may help you prevent gestational diabetes.
Symptoms and getting tested
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination, often at night
- Being very thirsty and/or hungry
- Losing weight without trying
- Blurry vision
- Numb or tingling hands or feet
- Fatigue
- Very dry skin
- Sores that are slow to heal
- More infections than usual
- Nausea, vomiting or stomach pains
Symptom onset varies between the distinct types. Type 1 symptoms can develop quickly and be severe, while type 2 symptoms tend to develop over time (sometimes, you may not notice any symptoms). Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is often without noticeable symptoms.
“Because of the tricky nature of diabetes symptoms, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about your risk factors and ask if getting tested is right for you,” says Kristen Grabowski, Primary Care Provider at Sovah Family Medicine - Brosville. “A simple blood test can determine if you have diabetes. If you do, your provider can work with you to create a treatment plan and suggest positive lifestyle changes to help protect your long-term health and wellness.”
For more information on diabetes, visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes and www.diabetes.org. If you do not have a primary care provider and would like to talk to one about diabetes risks and testing, Sovah Health can help. Please visit SovahHealth.com and visit the “Find A Doctor” tab to get connected.