Types of diabetes
Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a metabolic illness characterized by excessive blood sugar levels. Your body either doesn’t create enough insulin or can’t utilize the insulin it does make properly if you have diabetes.
Diabetes is divided into several types:
- Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune illness. In the pancreas, where insulin is produced, the immune system assaults and destroys cells. It is unknown what is causing this onslaught. This form of diabetes affects around 10% of diabetics.
- When your blood sugar level is higher than usual but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you have prediabetes.
- This form of diabetes is caused by the placenta’s production of insulin-blocking substances.
Although it has a similar name, diabetes insipidus is an uncommon disease that is unrelated to diabetes mellitus. It’s a distinct ailment in which your kidneys eliminate an excessive amount of fluid from your body.
Diabetes signs and symptoms
Symptoms in general
The following are some of the most common diabetic symptoms:
- Hunger has risen.
- Weight loss due to increased thirst
- hazy eyesight due to frequent urine
- severe exhaustion
- wounds that refuse to heal
Men’s Symptoms
Men with diabetes may experience reduced sex desire, erectile dysfunction (ED), and low physical strength, in addition to the usual symptoms of diabetes.
Women’s Symptoms
Diabetes type 1
- Unintentional weight loss due to increased thirst as a result of severe hunger
- frequent urination fatigue unclear vision
- It may also cause mood swings.
Diabetes type 2
- Hunger has risen.
- thirst has risen
- excessive urination fatigue unclear eyesight
It might also lead to recurrent infections.
Type 1 diabetes
Diabetes during pregnancy
Between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy, a regular blood sugar test or oral glucose tolerance test is generally conducted to diagnose the condition.
A woman with gestational diabetes may feel increased thirst or urination in rare circumstances.
Last but not least
Diabetes symptoms might be subtle at first, making them difficult to detect. Find out which symptoms need a trip to the doctor.
Factors that increase the risk of diabetes
Diabetes is caused by a combination of causes.
Type 1 diabetes
If you’re a kid or adolescent, if you have a parent or sibling who has the illness, or if you have specific genes connected to the disease, you’re more likely to get type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes type 2
Overweight, 45 years or older, have diabetes in a parent or sibling, aren’t physically active, have had gestational diabetes, or have prediabetes are all risk factors for developing diabetes.
Diabetes during pregnancy
have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds have a family history of type 2 diabetes have polycystic ovary syndrome are overweight are over 25 have had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy (PCOS).
Last but not least
Diabetes risk can be influenced by your family, environment, and pre-existing medical problems. Determine which dangers you have control over and which you do not.
Complications of diabetes
The longer you live with high blood sugar, the more likely you are to have problems.
Diabetes has a number of complications, including:
- neuropathy
- nephropathy
- Retinopathy is a condition that causes eyesight loss.
- loss of hearing
- Illnesses and unhealed sores on the feet skin infections such as bacterial and fungal infections
- depression\dementia
Diabetes during pregnancy
The following are examples of complications that might harm the baby:
Premature birth, a higher-than-normal birth weight, and a low blood sugar level at birth all raise the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.
jaundice\stillbirth
Complications like high blood pressure (preeclampsia) or type 2 diabetes might occur in the mother. She may also need a cesarean birth, generally known as a C-section. In subsequent pregnancies, the mother’s risk of gestational diabetes rises.
Last but not least
Diabetes can cause significant medical issues, but it can be managed with medicines and a change in lifestyle. With these helpful hints, you may avoid the most frequent diabetic problems.
Diabetic treatment
Doctors use a variety of medicines to manage diabetes. Some of these medications are given orally, while others are administered through injection.
Type 1 diabetes
The most common therapy for type 1 diabetes is insulin. It acts as a substitute for the hormone that your body is unable to generate. They differ in terms of how soon they begin to operate and how long they last.
Diabetes type 2
Some persons with type 2 diabetes might benefit from a healthy diet and regular exercise. You’ll need to take medication if lifestyle modifications aren’t enough to decrease your blood sugar.
Diabetes during pregnancy
During pregnancy, you’ll need to check your blood sugar levels many times a day. If it’s too high, food modifications and exercise might not be enough to lower it.
The Mayo Clinic estimates that 10 to 20% of women with gestational diabetes will require insulin to control their blood sugar. Insulin is very safe for a developing infant.
Last but not least
Your doctor will prescribe a medication or a combination of drugs based on the kind of diabetes you have and the cause. Take a look at this list of diabetic medicines to see what’s available.
Diet and diabetes
Healthy nutrition is an important aspect of diabetes management. In other situations, simply altering your diet may be enough to keep the condition under control.
Type 1 diabetes
Depending on the meals you eat, your blood sugar level rises or decreases. Blood sugar levels rise quickly when you eat starchy or sugary meals. Protein and fat have a slower rate of growth.
Your doctor may advise you to restrict the number of carbs you consume each day. You’ll also have to strike a balance between your carb consumption and your insulin dosages.
Consult a nutritionist for assistance in developing a diabetic food plan. Controlling your blood sugar may be as simple as eating the correct combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Diabetes type 2
Eating the correct meals will help you regulate your blood sugar while also assisting you in losing weight. Carbohydrate counting is an important element of type 2 diabetic diet. A nutritionist can assist you in determining how many grams of carbs you should consume at each meal.
Try to consume modest meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Healthy foods, such as fruits, should be emphasized.
- veggies
- grains in their entirety
- olive oil and almonds are good sources of healthful fats.
- Other foods might jeopardize your attempts to keep your blood sugar under control.
If you have diabetes, learn which foods you should avoid.
Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy
During these nine months, it’s critical for both you and your kid to eat a well-balanced diet. Choosing the correct foods can also help you avoid having to take diabetic medication.
Limit sugary and salty meals, and watch your portion sizes. You need some sugar to nourish your developing kid, but you shouldn’t eat too much of it.
Consider working with a dietitian or nutritionist to create an eating plan. They’ll make sure your diet has the proper macronutrient balance. Other dos and don’ts for good eating with gestational diabetes may be found here.
Diagnosis of diabetes
Anyone who has diabetic symptoms or is at risk of developing the condition should be checked.
- These blood tests are used by doctors to identify prediabetes and diabetes:
- After an 8-hour fast, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test examines your blood sugar.
The A1C test gives you a picture of your blood sugar levels for the last three months.
- Between the 24th and 28th weeks of your pregnancy, your doctor will test your blood sugar levels to determine gestational diabetes.
- Your blood sugar is tested one hour after you consume a sweet beverage during the glucose challenge test.
- After fasting overnight and then drinking a sweet beverage, your blood sugar is tested during the 3-hour glucose tolerance test.
The sooner you receive a diabetes diagnosis; the sooner you may begin treatment. Determine if you should be tested and learn more about the tests your doctor may do.
Diabetes prevention is important
Some factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes, such as your genes or age, are also beyond your control. Many other diabetes risk factors, on the other hand, are under your control. The majority of diabetes preventive methods entail adopting minor dietary and exercise changes.
If you have prediabetes, there are a few things you may take to postpone or avoid the onset of type 2 diabetes:
- Get 150 minutes of cardiovascular activity each week, such as walking or cycling.
- Saturated and trans fats, as well as processed carbs, should be avoided in your diet.
Consume fewer calories.
If you’re overweight or obese, try to shed 7% of your body weight. These aren’t the sole methods for avoiding diabetes. Find out more about the methods that might help you prevent developing this chronic condition.
Pregnancy and diabetes
During pregnancy, women who have never had diabetes can acquire gestational diabetes. The placenta produces hormones that can make your body more resistant to insulin’s effects.
Diabetes can follow a woman into pregnancy if she had it before she became pregnant. Although gestational diabetes should go away after delivery, it does raise your chances of developing diabetes later in life.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, almost half of women with gestational diabetes will acquire type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years following birth (IDF).
Diabetes during pregnancy can cause concerns for your babies, such as jaundice or breathing difficulties. If you have pre-gestational or gestational diabetes, you will need to be closely monitored to avoid problems.
Children with diabetes
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can affect children. Blood sugar control is especially essential in young individuals because diabetes can harm vital organs like the heart and kidneys.
Type 1 diabetes
Diabetes with an autoimmune component frequently begins in childhood. Prolonged urination is one of the most constant indications. After being toilet trained, children with type 1 diabetes may begin to wet the bed.
Extreme thirst, exhaustion, and hunger are additional symptoms of the illness. It’s critical that children with type 1 diabetes receive treatment as soon as possible. High blood sugar and dehydration are two medical problems that can occur as a result of the illness.
Type 2 diabetes
Because type 2 diabetes is so uncommon in children, type 1 diabetes was sometimes referred to as “juvenile diabetes.” Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly frequent in this age range as more youngsters become overweight or obese.
According to the Mayo Clinic, over 40% of children with type 2 diabetes exhibit no symptoms. A physical examination is frequently used to diagnose the illness. Type 2 diabetes, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness. Healthy nutrition and exercise can assist your child in controlling their blood sugar levels and avoiding these issues.
Young individuals are more likely than ever to have type 2 diabetes.
Best Diabetes-Controlling Foods
Diet plays an important part in preventing and controlling diabetes. Here are the 16 healthiest meals for persons with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Fatty Fish Fatty fish
DHA and EPA protect the cells that line your blood vessels, lower inflammatory indicators, and may help your arteries work better. People who consume fatty fish on a regular basis have a decreased risk of acute coronary syndromes, such as heart attacks, and are less likely to dilate. Consumption of fatty fish has been shown to help control blood sugar levels in studies. Fish is also a good source of high-quality protein, which keeps you full and helps keep your blood sugar levels in check.
Green Leafy Vegetables
They’re also low in digestible carbohydrates, or carbs that the body absorbs, so they won’t spike blood sugar levels.
According to some research, persons with diabetes have lower vitamin C levels than people without diabetes and may require more vitamin C.
People with diabetes can improve their blood vitamin C levels while decreasing inflammation and cellular damage by increasing their dietary consumption of vitamin C-rich foods.
Avocados
Avocados have less than one gram of sugar, little carbs, a high fiber content, and healthy fats, so they won’t spike your blood sugar levels. Avocado intake is also linked to better overall diet quality, as well as lower body weight and BMI. This makes them an excellent snack for diabetics, especially because obesity increases your risk of getting diabetes.
Eggs
Eggs provide several health advantages. They’re really one of the finest foods for keeping you full and satisfied between meals. Eggs reduce inflammation, enhance insulin sensitivity, raise HDL (good) cholesterol, and change the size and structure of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
According to a 2019 study, having a high-fat, low-carb breakfast of eggs can assist diabetics to regulate their blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Egg intake has been related to heart disease in diabetics in previous studies. In addition, eggs are high in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect against eye disorders. Just be sure you consume the entire egg. The minerals contained in the yolk, rather than the white, are what give eggs their health advantages.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber for diabetics. They’re high in fiber but low indigestible carbohydrates. In fact, fiber accounts for 11 of the 12 grams of carbohydrates in a 28-gram (1-ounce) dosage of chia seeds, so they don’t boost blood sugar levels.
Chia seeds include viscous fiber that helps decrease blood sugar levels by delaying the pace at which food passes through your intestines and is absorbed. Fiber reduces hunger and makes you feel full, so chia seeds may help you maintain a healthy weight. Chia seeds may also aid in the control of blood sugar levels in diabetics.
This intake improves weight reduction and helps maintain excellent glycemic control, according to research including 77 individuals with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes. Chia seeds have also been found to lower blood pressure and inflammatory indicators.
Beans
They are inexpensive, nutrient-dense, and extremely healthful. Beans are a kind of legume that is high in B vitamins, fiber, and important minerals (calcium, potassium, and magnesium).
In research involving more than 3,000 people at high risk for cardiovascular disease, those who ate more beans had a 35% lower risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes.
Yogurt from Greece
Yogurt eating has also been linked to reduced blood glucose and insulin resistance levels in studies. It may also assist you in losing weight if that is a personal aim of yours.
Yogurt and other dairy foods have been shown in studies to help patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight and improve their body composition.
Yogurt’s rich calcium, protein, and a kind of fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite and making it easier to avoid bad meals.
Furthermore, Greek yogurt has a lower carb content than regular yogurt, with only 6–8 grams per serving. It’s also richer in protein, which may help you lose weight by curbing your hunger and lowering your calorie consumption.
Nuts are both tasty and healthy.
Nuts of all kinds are high in fiber and low in net carbohydrates, but some have more than others. Regular eating of a variety of nuts has been proven to reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar, HbA1c (a measure for long-term blood sugar control), and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in studies.
A 2019 research of nearly 16,000 types 2 diabetes patients revealed that consuming tree nuts including walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios reduced their risk of heart disease and mortality.
The intake of walnut oil on a regular basis improved blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes, according to research. This discovery is significant because patients with type 2 diabetes frequently have high insulin levels, which have been related to obesity.
Broccoli
Cooked broccoli has just 27 calories and 3 grams of digestible carbohydrates per half cup, as well as essential minerals including vitamin C and magnesium. In one research, eating broccoli sprouts resulted in a 10% decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetics.
Olive Oil (Extra-Virgin)
It includes oleic acid, a monounsaturated lipid that improves glycemic control, lowers fasting and post-meal triglyceride levels, and has antioxidant effects.
Olive oil was the only kind of fat shown to lower the risk of heart disease in a comprehensive review of 32 research that looked at other types of fat. Polyphenols are antioxidants found in olive oil.
Polyphenols reduce inflammation, protect the cells that line your blood vessels, prevent oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, and lower blood pressure.
Because extra-virgin olive oil is unprocessed, it maintains antioxidants and other beneficial qualities.
Flaxseeds
There are a nutrient-dense food. Flaxseeds, sometimes called common flax or linseeds, are abundant in heart-healthy omega-3 fats, fiber, and other unique plant components. A daily dose of flaxseed powder reduced blood pressure in those with prediabetes, but it had no effect on glycemic control or insulin resistance, according to research. More study on how flaxseed might help prevent or manage diabetes is needed. Flaxseed, on the other hand, is good for your heart and stomach.
vinegar made from apple cider
Despite the fact that it’s manufactured from apples, the sugar in the fruit is fermented into acetic acid, resulting in a product with less than 1 gram of carbohydrates per tablespoon.
Apple cider vinegar had positive benefits on fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1c, according to a meta-analysis of six trials including 317 individuals with type 2 diabetes. When eaten with carbohydrate-rich meals, it may also decrease blood sugar response by up to 20%.
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