Diabetes: Types and How It Affects People
Diabetes is a complicated condition that affects millions of people throughout the world. Diabetes is a metabolic condition in which high blood glucose levels cause heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers, and eye impairment. Diabetes prevalence rates are currently exceptionally high in several nations throughout the world.
Diabetes has been classified into several types, including type 1, type 2, type 3, neonatal, and gestational.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune illness, which means that your body fights itself. In this situation, the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are destroyed. Type 1 diabetes affects up to 10% of diabetics. It is often diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body either does not produce enough insulin or when your cells do not respond adequately to insulin. This is the most prevalent kind of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects up to 95% of diabetics. It commonly affects persons in their forties and fifties.
Prediabetes is the stage before Type 2 diabetes. Your blood glucose levels are greater than usual, but not high enough to be identified as having Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs in certain pregnant women. Gestational diabetes normally disappears after pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes, you are more likely to acquire Type 2 diabetes later in life.
The majority of diabetic patients lead full lives. It does not have to be a hindrance. However, diabetes has an impact on your way of living, such as how you eat and exercise. It also has an impact on your professional and personal life.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you are most likely already working with a doctor and a diabetic care team to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Medication, blood sugar monitoring, dietary changes, and other measures may be part of your treatment plan. However, because type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, the treatment options that initially worked may no longer be as successful as they once were.
This implies that persons with diabetes may find it increasingly difficult to manage their health over time and may need to take additional medicines as the disease advances.
That is when healthy living habits come into play. It is often feasible to prevent diabetes from advancing by maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious food, and exercising on a regular basis. Here are a few lifestyle adjustments to consider.
1. Healthy Eating
Because there is no single “diabetic diet” that meets all needs, it is critical to work directly with a nutritionist and doctor to customize your diet. Making appropriate food selections and limiting portion size are two ways to focus on eating well. Select low-fat dairy and lean meats. Sugary and fatty meals should be avoided. Remember that carbs are converted into sugar, so limit your carbohydrate consumption.
2. Quit Smoking
Diabetes increases your risk of developing heart disease, eye disease, stroke, kidney disease, blood vessel disease, nerve damage, and foot difficulties. If you smoke, your chances of developing these issues become significantly greater. Smoking might also make it more difficult to exercise. Consult your doctor about quitting methods.
3. Regular Exercise
Get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity every week, such as walking, riding, or swimming. This will help you in losing weight and keeping it off, as well as keep your heart healthy. Distribute your workout across multiple days per week. Avoid going more than two days without exercising. Add resistance workouts to your program if you do not have any serious health issues that limit your activity.
4. Regular Checkups
It’s easy to live in denial or postpone dealing with your health after receiving a diagnosis. However, the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to get started. You should see your doctor at least twice a year. Diabetes increases your chances of developing heart disease. So learn your cholesterol, blood pressure, and average blood sugar. Every year, have a complete eye exam. Consult a foot doctor to rule out issues such as foot ulcers and nerve damage.
5. Controlled Drinking
To compensate for declining blood sugar levels, the liver generally releases stored sugar. However, if your liver is busy metabolizing alcohol, your blood sugar level may not receive the necessary boost from your liver. Alcohol can cause low blood sugar levels quickly after consumption and for up to 24 hours thereafter. So, if you decide to drink, don’t go overboard.
6. Managing Stress
When you’re stressed, the chemicals your body creates in reaction to the stress may cause your blood sugar to rise. Furthermore, if you’re under a lot of stress, it may be more difficult to stick to your typical diabetes care routine. Identify the source of your stress. Find strategies to relax, such as deep breathing, yoga, or relaxing pastimes.
7. Make a Sleep Routine
Your sleeping patterns can have an impact on many aspects of your health, including your weight, immune system, and even how well your brain functions. However, it also plays an important function in blood sugar regulation (or glucose). Try to obtain at least 7 hours of sleep each night to keep your blood sugar in check. If you work at night or on rotating shifts, try to keep regular eating and sleep schedules, even on your days off, if possible.
