What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting how your body processes blood sugar, or glucose. The insulin in your body is meant to manage your blood sugar levels, but when you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn't use it properly. Without insulin, sugar builds up in your blood.
What are the types of diabetes?
Diabetes comes in two main forms. Type 1 diabetes is due to your body’s inability to produce insulin. It typically begins in childhood and was once known as juvenile diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. This form occurs when your body stops using insulin properly. Although you can develop type 2 at any age, it's more common over age 40. Between 80-90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
The warning signs of diabetes are sometimes unnoticeable, or you may confuse your symptoms with something else. Still, common symptoms include:
- Intense thirst
- Increased hunger
- Increased urination
You may also experience drowsiness, nausea, or blurry vision.
What are the complications of diabetes?
Having diabetes puts you at risk for a wide variety of health conditions, including some that are quite serious. These include:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- High cholesterol
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Blindness
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
- Skin disorders
You’re also at a higher risk for stroke, kidney disease, or kidney failure.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
There are a few blood tests used to assess your blood sugar levels. You may undergo one of these tests:
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test: You provide a blood sample to measure the share of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen
- Fasting blood sugar test: You fast overnight before providing a blood sample
Once you get your diagnosis with your form of diabetes, you’ll be recommended an appropriate treatment plan so you can continue to enjoy an active, healthy life.
Take a step for your lasting health today. Call or schedule a consultation online with Harlingen Family Care.
