Diabetes can be a scary diagnosis but with proper treatments and care, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives
Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not correctly process blood sugar for energy. This happens when the body does not produce insulin or use it properly. Insulin is the natural hormone made by the pancreas that carries blood sugar into your cells.
There are two types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: The body doesn’t produce any insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes: The body doesn’t properly use insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and can usually be managed with lifestyle changes.
Seven Warning Signs of Type 2 diabetes
1. Frequent Urge To Urinate
2. Always Feel Thirsty
3. Seems Like You Are Hungry All The Time
4. Very Tired
5. Issues With Vision Being Blurry
6. Wounds Are Hard To Heal
7. Your Hands and/or Feet Are Numb, Tingling or In Pain
If you have any of these health problems, a trip to your doctor can help you learn whether you have diabetes.
Your doctor will likely order lab work. This may be a blood test or urine test.
- Urine Test: This will show if there is sugar (glucose) in the urine.
- Blood Test: This may be done first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking, or randomly, which may be done any time of day (even after food).
- A1C Blood Test: Measures your average blood sugar over two to three months
- Glucose Tolerance Test: A series of blood tests done after drinking a high glucose drink that is given to you by a lab.
If any of these tests reveal diabetes, your doctor will start working with you on a treatment program. The treatment is made up of healthy lifestyle choices, monitoring, sometimes medications and tests / exams to detect or prevent complications. Meeting with a diabetes educator will help you get started on the right foot and navigate your treatment plan.
If you are worried how to manage your diabetes, NMC Health is here to help with primary care doctors and our diabetes education program. Our team in family care medicine can help with testing and provide guidance. Our diabetes education program can tailor a plan for you that helps with several important lifestyle choices to help manage your diabetes. In addition to one-on-one counseling, the diabetes education program offers monthly support group meetings.
