Understand diabetes causes, prevention and care

Diabetes is a disease that causes people to have too much sugar in their blood. This happens when people aren’t producing insulin in their bodies or their body doesn’t respond to insulin. This hormone is needed to break down sugar in the blood stream (also known as glucose). Too much glucose can be toxic, so it is a serious condition.

Being overweight, consuming an unhealthy diet, age and family history are the main risk factors for diabetes. If you had gestational diabetes, or diabetes while pregnant, you’re more at risk of getting diabetes as well.

The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes is a disorder where the body doesn’t produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes usually have symptoms starting in childhood, so you sometimes hear it called childhood diabetes or juvenile diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not respond to insulin and there is too much sugar in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes is usually the result of unhealthy diet, obesity and/or lack of exercise.  

Type 2 diabetes was known as adult onset diabetes because it affected people later in life. It is now also affecting children. This is concerning because it’s a preventable disease.

You can prevent or control diabetes

• Make changes to your diet to help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly. Exercise actually consumes the sugar in your blood, so you don’t need as much insulin
• Take the medicine your doctor has prescribed to control your diabetes

Screenings or tests help diagnose diabetes

There are several tests to diagnose diabetes. They all measure the levels of sugar, or glucose, in the body.

• Fasting blood glucose test
• Hemoglobin A1C test
• Oral glucose tolerance test

How often you should be tested for diabetes depends on your risk factors. For people age 45 or older it’s recommended every three years. Your doctor may recommend screenings more frequently.

What are the treatments for diabetes?

If making changes to your diet and exercise aren’t enough, you may need medicine. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to control your diabetes or insulin therapy.