Living with diabetes

According to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF), a little over 11% of the U.S. population have diabetes. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be feeling scared and a little uncertain about what life will be like now. These are common concerns. Take some time to learn more about the disease and steps you can take to improve your lifestyle and manage your diabetes. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.

Types 1 diabetes

With type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts glucose into energy. If your body can’t covert the glucose into energy, your blood sugar level becomes too high. Although more common in children, anyone can develop type 1 diabetes. Heredity is thought to play a role in who will develop this form of diabetes. In the majority of cases, type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin. The onset of type 1 diabetes can come on very quickly.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not regulate glucose properly and produces less insulin that it used to, resulting in too much sugar in your blood. Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults, although anyone can get the disease. Type 2 diabetes may or may not require insulin treatment. There are other medications besides insulin that can be used to treat type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1, type 2 diabetes develops gradually.

Symptoms of diabetes

Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, both share some common symptoms including:

• Excessive hunger or thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Yeast infections
• Headaches
• Nausea

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Managing diabetes

After you’ve received your diabetes diagnosis, your doctor will develop a treatment plan for you. Depending on the type you have, you will be prescribed medication and you may be asked to make some lifestyle changes to help manage your diabetes. You may also have to monitor your blood sugar level with a glucose meter or other device prescribed by your doctor.

No matter what type of diabetes you have, you can help manage your diabetes by eating healthy foods, keeping your weight under control, treating high blood pressure, and managing your cholesterol levels. An exercise regimen can also go a long way in keeping your sugar levels in check.

Having diabetes can make you feel uncertain about your future, but getting the proper medical care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you manage your condition. Be sure to visit your doctor regularly so he can monitor any changes in your health and make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.