The Top Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While there is no cure for diabetes, treatments available can help people manage the condition and live healthy lives. This blog post will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar (also called glucose) and released into your bloodstream. Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin, which acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your cells to be used for energy.

What are the Types of Diabetes?

There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). 

Type 1 diabetes happens when your body can’t make insulin on its own. Type 2 diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make or use insulin well. Gestational diabetes happens in some women when they are pregnant. 

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. About 90% of all people with diabetes have type 2. With type 2, your body still makes some insulin. But either it doesn’t make enough or the insulin doesn’t work properly. Untreated type 2 can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation (removal of a limb).

How do I know if I have diabetes?

The symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are often similar. They include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, and frequent infections such as thrush or urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor for testing as soon as possible. 

Gestational diabetes usually has no symptoms but can be detected through a blood sugar test during pregnancy. If you have any risk factors for gestational diabetes—such as being overweight or having a family history of the disease—your doctor may recommend testing earlier in your pregnancy. 

How is diabetes diagnosed?

A doctor can diagnose diabetes with a simple blood test that measures your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, you may have diabetes. 

Can diabetes be prevented?

Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented by lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and regular exercise. However, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. 

Can I prevent type 2 diabetes? 

Yes! You can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by making healthy lifestyle choices such as eating healthy foods, staying at a healthy weight, and being active every day. If you have prediabetes (blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes), making these lifestyle changes can help you avoid progressing to type 2 diabetes altogether. 

If I have Diabetes, will I always have it? 

No! In some cases of type 2 Diabetes, especially if caught early and managed with lifestyle changes alone, it is possible to return to normal blood sugar levels without medication and keep them there indefinitely by maintaining a healthy lifestyle going forward, including eating healthy foods and being active every day. However, even if medications are required to maintain normal blood sugar levels indefinitely, making these lifestyle changes can help reduce the amount of medication needed and improve overall health outcomes long term.

Conclusion

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or think you may have symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor immediately for testing and treatment. Making healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and help control blood sugar levels if you have already been diagnosed with the disease. In some cases of type 2 diabetes, it is possible to return to normal blood sugar levels without medication by making these changes and maintaining a healthy lifestyle going forward. Regardless of your situation, managing your diabetes is important for your long-term health and well-being.