For a simple way to understand this disease, I will break down things very simple. Definition,risk factors,causes,clinical manifestations,and diagnosis+treatment( just informative).
Definition: disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat.
Risk factors: Before mention, the risk factors note that we have two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes: the immune-mediated destruction of β-cells and loss of insulin production by the pancreas. (10% of diabetes cases) Type 2 diabetes: insulin insensitivity in peripheral organs requiring increased insulin production, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. (90% of diabetes cases)
Who is at risk to develop diabetes?
Having prediabetes, which means you have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes- Being overweight or having obesity-Being age 45 or older-A family history of diabetes-Being African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. I am going to finish this one very important: Having high blood pressure.
The risks factors above will mostly lead you to the cause of diabetes. How do you know that you may have diabetes before full diagnosed by your PCP?
increased thirst and urination- increased hunger- fatigue- blurred vision- numbness or tingling in the feet or hands sores that do not heal- unexplained weight loss.
Specific information for women: Scientists believe gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, is caused by the hormonal changes of pregnancy along with genetic and lifestyle factors. During pregnancy, w woman can develop diabetes, and this kind is the one named above.
Diagnostic for diabetes: Your health care professional can diagnose diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes through blood tests. The blood tests show if your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or the A1C test to diagnose diabetes. In some cases, they may use a random plasma glucose (RPG) test.
Recommendation by an expert to get testing for diabetes:
age 45 or older- between the ages of 19 and 44, overweight or obese, and have one or more other diabetes risk factors- women who had gestational diabetes.
Important information: Diagnosis A1C (percent) Fasting plasma glucose (FPG)a Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)ab Random plasma glucose test (RPG)a
Normal below 5.7 99 or below 139 or below
Prediabetes 5.7 to 6.4 100 to 125 140 to 199
Diabetes 6.5 or above 126 or above 200 or above 200 or above
Treatment:
You can manage your diabetes and live a long and healthy life by taking care of yourself each day. Diabetes can affect almost every part of your body. Therefore, you will need to manage your blood glucose levels, also called blood sugar. Managing your blood glucose, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol, can help prevent the health problems that can occur when you have diabetes. Knowing your diabetes ABCs will help you manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Stopping smoking if you smoke will also help you manage your diabetes. Working toward your ABC goals can help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes problems.
Make a diabetes meal plan with help from your healthcare team. Following a meal plan will help you manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Choose fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, chicken or turkey without the skin, fish, lean meats, and nonfat or low-fat milk and cheese. Drink water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. Choose foods that are lower in calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and salt. Learn more about eating, diet, and nutrition with diabetes.
Take your medicines for diabetes and any other health problems, even when you feel good or have reached your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals. These medicines help you manage your ABCs. Ask your doctor if you need to take aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Tell your healthcare professional if you cannot afford your medicines or if you have any side effects from your medicines. Monitoring your blood glucose level is most important if you take insulin. The results of blood glucose monitoring can help you make decisions about food, physical activity, and medicines.
THINGS TO KNOW:
Many people with diabetes aim to keep their blood glucose at these normal levels:
Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL-About 2 hours after a meal starts: less than 180 mg/dL-Talk with your health care team about the best target range for you. Be sure to tell your health care professional if your glucose levels often go above or below your target range. Sometimes blood glucose levels drop below where they should be, which is called hypoglycemia. For most people with diabetes, the blood glucose level is too low when it is below 70 mg/dL.
Before we conclude, feeling stressed, sad, or angry is common when you live with diabetes. Stress can raise your blood glucose levels, but you can learn ways to lower your stress. Try deep breathing, gardening, taking a walk, doing yoga, meditating, doing a hobby, or listening to your favorite music. Consider taking part in a diabetes education program or support group that teaches you techniques for managing stress.
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