Diabetes 101 - The basics of diabetes
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which excessive amounts of blood sugar accumulate in the blood. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into sugars and enter our bloodstream. In order for the blood sugar to be used as energy, it needs the help of a hormone called insulin. During normal metabolism, insulin is released from the pancreas in response to glucose and glucose is able to get inside the cells without a problem. However, when a person has diabetes, the body has trouble with insulin release and/or use depending on the type of diabetes. To this day, there is no cure for diabetes, but many people live long and healthy lives if they keep their diabetes under control.
What are the different types of diabetes?
The most common types or diabetes are Type 1 diabetes (T1DM), Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and Gestational Diabetes (GDM). There are many other types of diabetes but they are not as common and require genetic testing or further workup. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces very little or no insulin at all. This is why, those diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes need to inject themselves daily with insulin to keep alive. In Type 2 diabetes, the body can still be making some insulin, but the insulin that it is making may not be used properly. Sometimes, even people with Type 2 diabetes may not be making enough insulin and need to inject insulin as well. Gestational Diabetes can occur in women who are pregnant. They did not have diabetes before pregnancy, but because of certain hormones released in pregnancy, the pancreas was not able to keep up with the demand for extra insulin.
What are some common symptoms of diabetes?
Most common symptoms of diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) are : excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive hunger, blurry vision and weight loss. However, most people do not experience any symptoms at all before they become diagnosed.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
There are a few ways to diagnose diabetes, with the most common one by checking your Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C) level in the blood. The A1C measures the average amount of blood sugar in the last 2-3 months. It is expressed as a percentage and 2 values above 6.5% qualify as diagnosis. This test does not need to be performed while fasting, making it the most widespread way to diagnose diabetes. Once diagnosed, the treatment will be based on the type and severity of diabetes.
How do I know if my diabetes is controlled?
One common way medical professionals check to see if your diabetes is in control is to recheck your A1C every 3-6 months, depending on your individual needs. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, the goal for most people is to have their A1C under 7. However, people that are young and without any other medical conditions may benefit from an even stringent goal of <6.5. Those that are older, have complex medical conditions, etc can have a more loose goal of <7.5.
Because A1C is an average of the last 2-3 months of sugar, it is also recommended to check your daily sugar at home (fingerstick). This is because checking your blood sugar daily can give you a much more complete and accurate picture than an A1C can. It also gives you information about how your food and exercise impacts your blood sugar, whereas A1C does not. Your endocrinologist or CDE will let you know your personal fingerstick goals.
How can I control my diabetes?
There are 3 ways to control diabetes – nutrition, exercise and medication. Some people are able to control their diabetes with proper nutrition and exercise, while others, even if they have good eating habits and exercise regularly, may need the help of oral medications, and sometimes even insulin. There are many classes of medications now available, each targeting a different organ and the key is to be on a medication regimen that compliments each other. Your endocrinologist or Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) can help you determine which medications are right for you.
What happens if my diabetes is uncontrolled for a long time?
Having uncontrolled diabetes for many years can have serious consequences. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage the eyes (retinopathy) and kidneys (nephropathy), cause nerve damage (neuropathy), heart attacks and strokes, and increase blood pressure. This is why it is important to have your yearly checks with your primary care doctor.