WC Iowa News

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It affects about 37 million Americans, including adults and youth. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and is linked to some types of cancer.

What is prediabetes?

A person with prediabetes has a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. He or she is at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, including heart disease, and stroke. Without lifestyle changes to improve their health, 15% to 30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.

People with certain risk factors are more likely to develop prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. These risk factors include age, especially after 45 years of age; being overweight or obese; a family history of diabetes; having an African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander racial or ethnic background; a history of diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes, see more information below) or having given birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more; and being physically active less than three times a week.

What are the types of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any time. People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin from an injection or a pump to manage their diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 95% of all cases diagnosed in adults. Several studies have shown that healthy eating, regular physical activity, and weight loss used with medication if prescribed, can help control complications from type 2 diabetes or can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

• Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in 2% to 10% of pregnant women. Gestational diabetes can cause health problems during pregnancy for both the child and mother. Children whose mothers had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although gestational diabetes often goes away after pregnancy, about half of all women who have gestational diabetes get type 2 diabetes later in life.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

• Being very thirsty
• Urinating often
• Feeling very hungry
• Feeling very tired
• Losing weight without trying
• Sores that heal slowly
• Dry, itchy skin
• Feelings of pins and needles in your feet
• Losing feeling in your feet
• Blurry eyesight

Some people with diabetes don’t have any of these signs or symptoms. The only way to know if you have diabetes is to have your doctor do a diagnostic test.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Urine analysis

A urine analysis may show high blood sugar. But a urine test alone does not diagnose diabetes. Your health care provider may suspect that you have diabetes if your blood sugar level is higher than 200 mg/dL. To confirm the diagnosis, one or more of the following tests must be done.

Blood tests

• Fasting blood glucose test
• Hemoglobin A1c test
• Oral glucose tolerance test .

Screening

• Overweight children who have other risk factors for diabetes (starting at age 10)
• Overweight adults (BMI greater than 25) who have other risk factors
• Adults over age 45.

What can be done to reduce the risk of diabetes?

Research has shown that the certain lifestyle modifications can prevent, or at least delay the onset of type 2 diabetes among people at risk of diabetes:

• Eating fewer high fat and high calorie foods
• Losing at least 5%-7% of body weight (if overweight)
• Being physically active for 150 minutes every week

How is diabetes treated or managed?

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will monitor their diabetes control and help them learn to manage their diabetes. A diabetes health care team is also recommended. The patient and primary care provider are leaders of the team. Other members of the team might include endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine foot care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.

Self-management of diabetes can be a challenging process. Any concerns about controlling your blood sugar and managing complications from diabetes should be shared with your physician. If you do not have a primary medical provider, contact the CCMH Medical Clinic at 712-265-2700.

Original source can be found here.