When you’re dealing with a chronic health condition, a number of questions come to mind. What are the risks and symptoms? Can the condition be prevented? What treatment does it need? Will it be inherited by the next generation? As patients and caregivers, we’re keen to know how we can ensure the best possible health for ourselves and our loved ones.
With diabetes mellitus, the answers to these questions significantly depend on whether it’s type 1 or type 2. Though both types involve fluctuation in blood sugar, they differ from one another in more ways than one.
Understanding the differences between the two can help to address some common concerns around diabetes.
What causes diabetes and am I at a risk of developing it?
Diabetes causes blood sugar fluctuations that need to be stabilized; but the source of this irregularity affects how the condition needs to be managed.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin— a hormone that regulates the function of glucose in the body. In the absence of insulin, glucose obtained from the food we eat, cannot be effectively utilized by our cells. Instead, it lingers in the bloodstream causing a glucose spike, or hyperglycemia. This condition may be inherited or can be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is able to produce insulin; however, the amount isn’t sufficient to regulate glucose levels. In some cases, the body’s cells become resistant to insulin and aren’t able to absorb it adequately, leading to uncontrolled glucose in the blood. This insulin resistance could be brought on by lifestyle factors like unhealthy dietary patterns, inactivity and lack of exercise. People with cardiovascular issues or hormonal conditions like PCOS and thyroid are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
How do I know if I have diabetes and what type it is?
Some obvious symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and hunger, fatigue and frequent urination. Patients may notice unintended weight loss, numbness or tingling in their hands or feet, delayed healing of wounds and sores, or blurred vision.
Thus, people with symptoms are asked to undergo diagnostic tests to check for diabetes. Those who are at a high risk of developing diabetes because of genetic predisposition, lifestyle patterns, weight or age, are recommended routine tests, even if they have no symptoms. The type of diabetes, too, can be identified through simple tests that measure the levels of insulin and c-peptide— a substance released by the pancreas when it produces insulin. You can speak with your physician about your risk, and find out if you need to get screened.
How can diabetes be managed, and can it be prevented?
In Type 1 diabetes, since the immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, the body needs to rely on insulin replacement therapy. Besides daily doses of insulin, people with type 1 diabetes may also need medication to stabilize their glucose surges.
Conversely, early detection can help prevent type 2 diabetes. If you are diagnosed with prediabetes— where the blood sugar level is high, but below the threshold of a diabetes diagnosis— the progression to type 2 diabetes can be curbed.
Balanced nutrition, workouts and rest help to maintain a healthy weight and put the brakes on glucose spikes. One can manage diabetes with guidance from a physician and an assessment of the condition, cause, specific body requirements and chart out a plan with a mix of medication, monitoring, nutrition and exercise.
Do I need to monitor my glucose levels even if I have a healthy lifestyle?
Blood glucose monitoring is the mainstay of diabetes management, regardless of the type of diabetes. It allows you and your physician to track how your diabetes management plan impacts your glucose levels, and enables doctors to attend to your treatment better. This process is eased by advanced health technology: sensor-based continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices painlessly track your glucose levels round the clock, sharing insights that make decision-making easier.
The CGM biosensor captures and alerts doctors to any abnormal changes, in real-time, so you can rest assured that the people you care for are safe, wherever they may be. Healthcare providers can review the effect of insulin on the patient’s glucose levels and adjust the plan if needed.
A diabetes diagnosis can shake up the way we live our life. Understanding the way diabetes works and knowing how to tackle the specific diabetes type can be a good starting point to navigate this chronic health condition.
Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.
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