Diabetes is a disease that causes your body’s blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels to be unusually high. When you have diabetes, you’re at increased risk for damage to other parts of your body, including your heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes. The disease is also linked to certain types of cancer. While there are many treatments available to help people live longer and healthier lives, the best way to manage diabetes is by preventing diabetes from occurring altogether.
Types of diabetes
Diabetes occurs when your body has trouble with insulin, which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. In healthy people, insulin distributes blood glucose throughout the body, providing cells with the energy that they need to function. When you have diabetes, some or all of this glucose remains in your bloodstream, unable to be distributed properly. There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1. In this type, the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that create insulin. Consequently, the body produces little to no insulin at all. It’s usually diagnosed in kids or young adults, and those with this type of diabetes must take insulin daily. It can’t be prevented, but lifestyle changes can help limit its effects.
- Type 2. This type of diabetes is generally highly preventable. This is the most common type of diabetes, and it can occur at any age. The pancreas still makes insulin, but not enough to keep your blood sugar at normal levels. In many cases, simple lifestyle changes can prevent type 2 diabetes.
- Some pregnant women experience gestational diabetes. It typically goes away after the baby is born, but it can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
There are other types of diabetes that can occur after certain illnesses, such as pancreatitis. However, the vast majority of diabetes cases fall into one of the three types above. You might also experience a condition known as prediabetes. It isn’t actually diabetes, but it signals that if you don’t make some changes, type 2 diabetes could result. If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, consider it a warning sign to take action immediately.
Preventing diabetes: More than just diet
When you think of diabetes prevention, changing your eating patterns probably comes to mind. It’s true that diet plays an important role. Limiting sugary and overly processed foods, consuming whole foods and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and reducing calorie intake can all help to lower your risk of developing diabetes. But did you know there are other things you can do to reduce your chances of this disease?
- Maintain a healthy weight. Everyone has a unique ideal weight. Talk to your doctor to learn what weight is healthiest for you and strive to achieve and maintain it.
- Get moving. One of the best ways to prevent diabetes is to increase your activity level. All healthy adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. But it doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym! Do you enjoy shopping? Park at the back of the lot and walk the entire mall. Is there a neglected basketball hoop in your driveway? Round up the kids for a pickup game. Do you love listening to music? Turn it up and dance your stress away. Anything that increases your heart rate and breathing can help you lower your risk of diabetes.
- Know your numbers. When it comes to diabetes management and prevention, knowledge is power. Talk to your doctor about your current blood glucose levels, your target, and steps you can take to achieve your goal. If you have prediabetes, your doctor might refer you to a diabetes management class. These classes provide a great deal of information on the disease, its progression, blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C values, diet and lifestyle tips, and so much more.
The bottom line
Diabetes is a serious health condition. But modern treatments and management protocols can help those who have it live longer and healthier lives. However, the best treatment is always prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 3 adults in the United States has prediabetes, but many people have no idea they’re at risk.
Whether you currently have healthy blood glucose levels or are experiencing prediabetes, there are active steps you can take to dramatically lower your risk of ever developing full-blown diabetes. Talk to your doctor, maintain a healthy weight, stay active, and eat a healthy diet.
If you’re already living with diabetes, follow these steps alongside any treatments, such as insulin or oral medications that might be prescribed. Each person is unique, so you’ll need to work closely with your general practitioner and any needed specialists to determine the right combination of methods for you.