Overview
Did you know that if you have Diabetes you have a greater chance of dying from heart disease or stroke and it doesn't make any difference if you are a woman or a man? One reason is high blood levels of sugar make the walls of your blood vessels thicker and cause them to lose their elasticity, which in turn makes it harder for blood to pass through.
Type 1 Diabetes is know as juvenile-onset Diabetes and usually affects children and young adults and is genetically-linked. The following are some conditions that are typically found in people with type 2 Diabetes, which is know as adult-onset Diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Key Information
Depression: Depression doubles the risk of a person getting Diabetes and after being diagnosed with Diabetes a person will go through major lifestyle changes which will cause them to be more depressed. Diet changes and taking medicines are among the things that cause them to be more depressed.
Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and strongly associated with insulin resistance. Loosing weight has been shown to improve heart-health along with Diabetes.
What You Need to Know
Inactivity: Lack of exercise is another major risk factor. Along with loosing weight, exercise has helped to reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Hypertension: High blood pressure has long been recognized as a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. If you have both high blood and Diabetes your risk for heart disease doubles.
A symptom of Diabetes is the skin of a diabetic person becomes very dry and flaky due to excessive loss of water, leading to dehydration which could result in a coma. Also it takes a long time for sores or cuts to heal. Diabetes is usually accompanied by sudden weight loss. There are many things that could be or may not be a symptom of Diabetes. If you think you might have Diabetes, go to your doctor right away to find out and it never hurts to have your heart checked out at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is diabetes and how is it managed?
Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body cannot regulate blood sugar properly. Management involves a combination of medication, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and blood sugar monitoring. Type 1 requires insulin therapy, while Type 2 can often be managed with lifestyle changes plus oral medications or insulin.
❓ Can lifestyle changes reverse Type 2 diabetes?
For many people, significant weight loss, a low-carbohydrate diet, and regular exercise can put Type 2 diabetes into remission - meaning blood sugar returns to normal without medication. This is not a cure, but sustained lifestyle change can dramatically improve outcomes and delay complications.
❓ What foods should people with diabetes limit?
People with diabetes benefit from limiting refined sugars, white bread, sugary drinks, processed foods, and high-glycaemic-index carbohydrates. Focus instead on non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. Portion control and consistent meal timing are equally important.
❓ How often should blood sugar be checked?
Frequency depends on type and treatment. Those on insulin may check 4-10 times daily. Those managing with diet or oral medication might check once or twice daily, or less. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) provides real-time data without finger-prick testing. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance.
❓ When should someone see a doctor about diabetes?
See a doctor if you experience unexplained thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, or persistent fatigue. Those already diagnosed should have check-ups every 3-6 months for HbA1c, blood pressure, kidney function, eye exams, and foot checks.