If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information to absorb. Diabetes is a complex condition, but understanding the basics is the first step in managing it effectively. In this blog post, we’ll break down what diabetes is, the different types, common symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and essential tips for managing the condition. We’ll also highlight how our team of trained professionals can help. So, whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking to learn more, keep reading to get the foundational knowledge to take control of your health.
What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital for your health because it’s an essential source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. When someone has diabetes, either the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t effectively use the insulin it produces.
The Different Types of Diabetes
There are three types of diabetes:
Type 1: Type 1 occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
Type 2: Type 2 diabetes is more common and usually develops over time. In this type, your body becomes resistant to insulin, or your pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.
Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes can occur during pregnancy and usually goes away after giving birth. However, it does increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Tingling in hands
- Slow healing wounds and bruises
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
How do you get Diagnosed with Diabetes
Diabetes can be diagnosed through blood tests that measure blood sugar levels. The most common are the fasting blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance test, and A1C test.
- Fasting blood sugar test: This type of test measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating), so it is done first thing in the morning.
- Oral glucose tolerance test: This test is typically done in your doctor’s office, where your blood sugar will be tested before and after drinking a liquid that contains glucose.
- A1C: This test measures your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. People diagnosed with diabetes need to repeat this blood test regularly to monitor how well they’re managing their blood sugars over time.
If you want more details on the type of tests for diabetes, you can read more information on the CDC website.
How do I Manage My Diabetes Correctly?
So, you’ve received a diabetes diagnosis, now what? What’s the best way to manage your diabetes?
- Your doctor may prescribe you medications to manage your blood sugar levels. The most common medications are metformin, meglitinides, sulfonylureas, and insulin.
- Follow Your diabetes ABCs
- A: A1c test. The goal is to have an A1c of 7% or lower and talk to your doctor or health professional about what goal numbers you should set.
- B: blood pressure. The goal is to have blood pressure under 140/90 mmHg, talk to your dr. about what goals you should set.
- C: cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy balance between your LDL “bad” and HDL “good” cholesterol can lower the risk of heart disease. Heart disease is a risk factor for those with diabetes, meaning you have a higher chance of cardiac events if you have diabetes.
- S: stop smoking. If you are smoking, consider quitting or at least decreasing the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. Smoking increases your risk of complications of diabetes.
- Consider seeing a diabetes-certified Registered Dietitian (P.S., we have one on our team!). Seeing a diabetes-certified dietitian can help you learn how to count carbohydrates, help you to better understand how food and nutrition have an impact on your blood sugar, and develop strategies to manage your diabetes. A Registered Dietitian can help you meet health goals that will minimize the risk of diabetes complications.
Where Can I Find Support to Manage My Diabetes?
You’re in the right place! If you are looking for more support with managing your diabetes and understanding how food and nutrition impact your blood sugar, reach out to One Bite Nutrition. We provide individualized support and can work with you to create a plan that works for your food preferences and lifestyle.
Alternatively, we also have an extensive diabetes course that is accessible online and self-paced, and that you can get started with TODAY! This program gives you all the tools you need to manage diabetes with confidence.
