Every November, we recognize Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes affects millions of Americans, and the number continues to grow each year. Many people don’t even realize they have it until serious health problems appear.
With early testing, the right care, and support from experienced providers, however, people with diabetes can live long and healthy lives. This month is a great time to learn more about diabetes, understand the warning signs, and take steps to get the right care for yourself or your family members.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body either cannot produce or becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced in the pancreas and that helps move sugar, also known as glucose, from the food you eat into your body’s cells, so it can be used as energy.
Blood sugar levels rise when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it in the right way. Over time, having too much sugar that stays in the bloodstream rather than being used within the cells can harm important organs like the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.
The Two Types of Diabetes
Diabetes can take two different forms, known as Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Knowing the difference in how they develop and are managed is helpful in understanding long-term risks and treatment options.
Type 1 Diabetes:
- Type 1 is less common, but very serious.
- Although it can appear at any age, it often begins in children, teens, or young adults.
- In this type of diabetes, the immune system inappropriately attacks the normal cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, so Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Once enough of these cells have been destroyed, the body can no longer make enough insulin to survive.
- Because of this, people with Type 1 have to take insulin every day, either through shots or an insulin pump.
- Symptoms often come on suddenly, including extreme thirst, sudden weight loss, or even emergency situations if the body cannot get the nutrients it needs to function normally.
Type 2 Diabetes:
- Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes.
- It usually develops in adults, but more children and teens have been diagnosed because of rising obesity and lifestyle changes.
- With Type 2, the body still makes insulin, but doesn’t use it the right way. This is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is caused by a reduction in the cells’ sensitivity to insulin, so more insulin is required to move nutrients into the cells.
- Many people with Type 2 don’t notice symptoms at first. That’s why regular check-ups and screenings are so important.
- Type 2 can typically be managed with a combination of healthy eating, exercise, and medication. There are both oral and injectable medicines (including insulin) that can be used to treat this type of diabetes, so close follow-up with your provider is important to get stabilized on the correct regimen for your body.
Common Symptoms to Watch for
Diabetes can look different for each person, but several warning signs may signal a problem. Knowing these symptoms can help you or someone you love get care sooner.
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Frequent urination
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Slow-healing sores or infections
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Unexplained weight changes
It’s important to note that some people have no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of Type 2 diabetes. That’s why yearly screenings with your primary care provider are the best way to catch it early.
When to Seek Care
If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to get an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP). They can run a simple blood test to check your blood sugar.
You should also talk to your doctor if you have risk factors like:
- A family history of diabetes
- Being overweight
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Being age 45 or older
- A history of gestational diabetes
Catching diabetes early makes it easier to manage and lowers your risk of serious health problems later.
Complications Related to Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious illness on its own, but it can also lead to many serious and even life-threatening complications. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, it can be possible to lower your risk for severe health problems.
Complications from diabetes can include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes-related eye disease
- Neuropathy
- Foot, skin, and oral complications
- Hearing loss
- Stroke
It’s important for anyone with either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes to fully understand their potential risks and maintain consistent communication with their primary care provider to ensure potential warning signs are recognized and addressed as early as possible.
How Hancock Health + Our Partners Support You
You don’t have to face diabetes alone. At Hancock Health, your primary care provider is the first step for screenings, diagnosis, and ongoing care. They can help you understand your blood sugar numbers, manage medicines, and connect you with specialists, like our endocrinologist, eye doctors, and cardiologists, when needed.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in middle-aged adults, because high blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Through our relationship with Whitewater Eye Centers and Jane Pauley, you can get the eye care you need to protect your vision. These trusted partners provide vision screenings and care for people with diabetes. Together with Hancock Health, they make it easy to protect both your overall health and your eyesight.
This November, take the next step for your health. Call to schedule an appointment with your Hancock Health primary care provider, and ask about referrals you may need to address potential complications. With early detection, regular care, and the right support, you can take control of diabetes and protect your future.
SOURCES:
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/signs-symptoms/index.html
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/warning-signs-symptoms
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications
https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/eye-health
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444