Did you know that about 1 in 10 U.S. adults has diabetes?
Diabetes is a common illness, but what exactly is it?
There are several types of diabetes, but the most common type among adults and some children is Type 2 diabetes. Having this type of diabetes means the body struggles to turn sugars and starch from the diet (called carbohydrates) into fuel. Our bodies make a hormone called insulin that turns these carbohydrates into energy. In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of this natural insulin, so excess sugars circulate throughout the bloodstream without being used for fuel.
Diabetes is diagnosed by either a very high blood sugar level or through a blood test called the A1c, which measures an average of blood sugar levels over the previous three months.
One challenge of living with diabetes is that this is a chronic illness, meaning it cannot be cured with medicines, and it often exists for the rest of a person’s life. Type 2 diabetes may not make you feel sick, but it can cause many serious health problems, especially if not treated. Diabetes usually worsens over time and can damage the kidneys, eyes, heart and brain and lead to limb amputations.
Fortunately, there are steps that people can take to improve their diabetes. The most important steps are to change how you eat and to exercise daily. Consuming sweets, sugary drinks, or starchy foods like flour tortillas, bread, potatoes, pasta and rice increases blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Eating a healthy diet with fewer starches or sweets and more vegetables can improve your diabetes.
Even if you eat well and exercise, your doctor may also need to prescribe medicines (pills and/or insulin shots) to help stop the diabetes from damaging your body. You and your doctor should work together to make a diabetes plan to keep your diabetes under control for a healthier future.
Dr. Claire Bovet, MD, is a Family Practice Physician at Salud Family Health Center.
Colorado Plains Medical Center, in conjunction with community health care partners such as Salud Family Health Center, is proud to be teaming up with The Fort Morgan Times to bring relevant, health-related information and awareness to the communities that we serve. Please look for our articles to be featured in The Fort Morgan Times on a bi-weekly basis.
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February 15, 2021 at 10:18PM
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Colorado Plains Medical Center: Health Topic of the Month – Type 2 diabetes - Fort Morgan Times
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