What causes diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that develops when your own immune system attacks the pancreas, damaging the cells that produce insulin. As a result, the pancreas stops producing the insulin you need to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disorder. This type of diabetes begins when you develop insulin resistance, which means your body can’t use the insulin that’s available. Then insulin resistance becomes full-blown Type 2 diabetes when your pancreas can’t produce enough insulin.
In both types of diabetes, the lack of insulin leads to high blood sugar. You need lifestyle treatment and, in some cases, medication to lower your blood sugar to a healthy level.
What symptoms develop due to diabetes?
Both types of diabetes cause symptoms such as:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent need to urinate
- Blurry vision
- Excessive hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Slow-healing sores
When you have Type 1 diabetes, your symptoms appear quickly. By comparison, Type 2 diabetes develops gradually over many years, so your symptoms appear slowly. For this reason, you may not recognize the early signs of Type 2 diabetes.
What health complications develop from uncontrolled diabetes?
Maintaining tight control of your blood sugar is important because high blood sugar damages small blood vessels and nerves. This damage leads to serious complications, including:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Vision loss
- Skin infections
- Nerve damage
- Foot ulcers that don’t heal
- Cardiovascular disease
Adults with diabetes have double the risk of dying from heart disease or a stroke compared with those who don’t have diabetes.
What is diabetes management?
Diabetes management refers to taking all the steps necessary to keep your blood sugar within a normal range. Dr. Duong works with you to create a customized diabetes management plan, but the basics of controlling blood sugar include:
- Counting your carbohydrate intake
- Following a healthy meal plan
- Taking your medications
- Getting regular exercise
- Losing weight if needed
- Checking blood glucose levels
- Smoking cessation
Diabetes management also includes maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
To learn more about diabetes management and how you can receive proper care, call the offices of Man Duong, M.D., or request an appointment online.
