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Diabetes

Online CME hours for SCFHS
If you or a loved one has diabetes, you are not alone. Diabetes treatment plans can be difficult and stressful for you, but they don't have to be! By understanding the basics of diabetes and following medical advice, you can live with the disease and reduce its complications.

If you or a loved one has diabetes, you are not alone. Diabetes treatment plans can be difficult and stressful for you, but they don't have to be! By understanding the basics of diabetes and following medical advice, you can live with the disease and reduce its complications.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot use sugar (glucose) as its primary energy source. This can lead to problems such as high blood sugar levels, which can damage your eyes, nerves, and other organs. Diabetes is a lifelong disease that can be controlled through medication and lifestyle changes.

Types of Diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes - type 1, 2, and gestational diabetes.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes the blood sugar level to become too high.

1- Diabetes type 1:

This type is usually diagnosed in childhood and is the most severe form of diabetes. Children with type 1 diabetes often take insulin daily to control their blood sugar levels. They also have a high risk of other diabetes-related diseases, such as heart disease and eye problems.

2- Type 2 Diabetes:

This type of diabetes usually occurs in adults and can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication. However, if untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.

3- Gestational diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that usually goes away after the baby is born. Some women may develop prediabetes during pregnancy and type 2 diabetes after the baby is born.

Risk factors for diabetes

Diabetes is a life-threatening chronic disease that affects millions of people around the world. A combination of genetic, environmental, and metabolic risk factors causes diabetes. Weight is one of the most critical risk factors for developing diabetes, and being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing the disease by up to 75%. Other risk factors include impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and being overweight or obese.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of all cases. Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). A combination of genetic and environmental factors causes type 2 diabetes. Still, it can also be caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as eating too much and not getting enough exercise.

If you are concerned you may have diabetes, talk to your doctor. He or she can do a blood test to measure your blood sugar levels and determine if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, you must take measures to prevent it from progressing to full-blown diabetes. You can reduce your risk of developing diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet. If you already have diabetes, you must take medications and follow a treatment plan to control the disease.

Following these tips can reduce your risk of developing diabetes and help you enjoy a long, healthy life.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes: Symptoms can develop quickly — over a few weeks or months. You must see a doctor if you notice any of these signs and symptoms in yourself or someone you know.

There are many signs and symptoms of diabetes, which can vary from person to person. However, some common signs and symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, bed-wetting, feeling very thirsty or hungry, and mood changes.

Diagnosis of diabetes

There are some tests your doctor can use to diagnose diabetes. One such test is the A1C test. This test measures the average blood sugar level over a previous period. If your A1C level is above 7%, you may have diabetes.

Diabetes can also be diagnosed based on plasma glucose parameters, either a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) value or a plasma glucose value 2 hours after a meal (2-h PPG). Your doctor will want to see these two values to make a diagnosis.

If you think you may have diabetes, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can allow for more effective treatment and less damage to your body.

Diabetes treatment includes diet and physical activity. You will also need to take medicines to control your blood sugar levels. Various medications are available to treat diabetes, and your doctor will recommend the best medication for you.

Complications of diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body cannot produce or use insulin properly. Symptoms of diabetes include high blood sugar levels, weight gain, and fatigue. Complications of diabetes can include heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness, and lower limb amputations.

There are many ways to manage diabetes, but it's essential to work with your doctor to find the best plan. Many resources are available to help you understand your diabetes and manage its complications. If you are suffering from diabetes complications, please do not hesitate to seek help: heart disease, kidney disease,nerve damage, blindness, and lower limb amputations.

Diabetes treatment

There is no cure for diabetes, but there are many ways to control the condition. Diabetes treatment usually includes a combination of diet, exercise, and medication. Some people may need insulin or other diabetes medications to maintain their blood sugar levels.

Living with diabetes

Living with diabetes can be a challenge. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and have regular blood tests to ensure your health. Diabetes can affect almost every organ in your body, but with the support of our community, you can prepare every meal well and live well with diabetes.

Prevent diabetes

Preventing diabetes is challenging but not impossible. You can do many things to help prevent or delay the development of this condition. Here are four tips to help you stay healthy:

  1. Maintain a healthy weight.

Eating foods high in refined carbohydrates and sugar increases blood sugar and insulin levels, increasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that for some people, getting support from a health professional to help them maintain a healthy weight is the most effective way to prevent diabetes.

  1. Exercise regularly.

Physical activity has been shown to have many benefits for general health, including preventing type 2 diabetes. Exercise can help you lose weight, reduce your risk of heart disease, and improve your mental health.

  1. Eat a healthy diet.

A healthy diet is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help protect you from type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins in your meals.

  1. Get checked for diabetes regularly.

If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you must get screened regularly. The doctor can perform a blood test to check the sugar level in the blood and diagnose diabetes if it is present.

Leading the fight against diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels, leading to severe damage to the body over time. In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of death for 284,049 people, and 44% of all deaths due to diabetes occurred before the age of 70. Diabetes also causes nearly 11 million Canadians to have diabetes or prediabetes.

To lead the fight against diabetes, people with diabetes focus on several key areas. First, they work towards achieving a healthy weight for people with diabetes by providing information on how to eat a balanced, carbohydrate-controlled diet and exercise regularly.