Diabetes Diagnosis

At this time, there is no cure for diabetes.  What do you do once you receive the diagnosis that you have diabetes? While diabetes is a serious disease, knowledge is power and people with this disease can live long lives if they take care of themselves.

What does having a diabetes diagnosis mean? It means your blood glucose levels are above normal and your body has a problem converting food to energy. This happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the body doesn’t use insulin properly.

There are three types of diabetes.  With a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, the beta cells of the pancreas can no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked them. The patient is insulin dependent for the rest of their life.

With a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the body develops insulin resistance. Over time, the pancreas loses its ability to keep up creating insulin. Are you 45 or older? Are you overweight or obese, or have an immediate family member with diabetes?  Is your blood pressure over 140/90? Are your triglycerides over 250? Is your cholesterol level abnormally high?  Then you are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

A gestational diabetes diagnosis generally occurs with the hormones of pregnancy with some women.  It goes away after the baby is born. Women who have had gestational diabetes or babies over 9 pounds are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

What are some of the symptoms you may have diabetes?  Do you have increased urination, increased thirst, or unexplained weight loss?  Are you experiencing fatigue, blurred vision and increased hunger? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, along with other factors, you may be a candidate for diabetes and your doctor will give you a glucose test.

What happens if you ignore your diabetes?  Left untreated, diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke, and blindness. Because a diabetic heals more slowly, a small cut or infection could create risk of amputation.

Proper diet and exercise are important to keep your glucose levels stable. This is not a disease that can be ignored, but with the right care, you can lead a nearly normal life.