Although diabetes is common in the United States, you may not be familiar with the symptoms and complications associated with it. Our experts at the Lake Health Diabetes Education Center share some basic information you should know about diabetes below.
Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, in every race and to any body type. In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin, the hormone that transports the sugar (from food) from the bloodstream into body cells for energy. Instead, excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream and insulin therapy is required.
In type 2, the most common form of diabetes, the body doesn’t use insulin properly. For some, a healthy diet and exercise can manage type 2 diabetes, but for others, medication and/or insulin therapy may be required.
Diabetes symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Hunger (even though you’re eating)
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are hard to heal
- Tingling/pain/numbness in the hands and feet.
Diabetic complications include skin infections and itching, eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts that can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease (which can lead to other major health problems) and ketoacidosis (with symptoms of nausea, difficulty breathing and confusion, which untreated can lead to diabetic coma or death).
Listen to your body. Have preventive blood glucose screenings. Eat healthy and be active. If you have a problem, see your doctor. If you have diabetes, get education and support, and follow your doctor’s plan of treatment, medications and lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms and prevent complications.
The certified diabetes educators at Lake Health can help you control your diabetes with a wide range of support services. Learn more about Diabetes Education Services by calling 440-354-1622.
