Know the facts about diabetes and live your best life

Friday, November 29, 2024

[4 MIN READ]

While there is no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, there are therapies and strategies for managing it that can help you live well with diabetes.
The best way to reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes is to make self-care a priority.
Learning the facts can help you to manage your diabetes more effectively or reduce your risk.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in three U.S. adults has prediabetes, which increases their risk for type 2 diabetes, a serious, chronic health condition which can lead to stroke or heart attack. The CDC also reports that there are 38.4 million people in the United States who have diabetes. That means 11.6% of the U.S. population has to regularly monitor blood sugar levels, often using insulin to control the amount of sugar in the blood.

Diabetes differences

First, let’s take a look the types of diabetes and their effects. In both types of diabetes, a person’s blood sugar levels can become too high because the body doesn’t produce insulin or use it properly. However, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have very different causes and potential complications.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 is a genetic disorder in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells to be used as energy. Without insulin, blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream, causing complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage and more.

People with Type 1 diabetes must keep careful track of their blood sugar levels — otherwise, they run the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). This disease is often diagnosed in childhood, which is why it used to be called juvenile diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which often appears in childhood, Type 2 diabetes is most likely to be diagnosed in middle-aged or older adults. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2, in which your pancreas makes some insulin but your cells don’t respond to it as they should.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by an underlying genetic predisposition, and factors like weight, activity level and eating habits can increase the chances that people with that predisposition will end up with diabetes.

Know the facts and thrive

But you can live well, in fact you can thrive, with diabetes. And by making healthy choices you can reduce your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. It starts with kowing the real deal. Here are some common myths about diabetes, who gets it and how it's managed.

Myth #1: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar.

Fact: While excessive sugar consumption can contribute to diabetes, it is not the sole cause. Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder that involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, and type 2 diabetes is often associated with factors like genetics, body size and less activity.

Myth #2: People with diabetes can't eat any sugar.

Fact: Individuals with diabetes can enjoy carbohydrates in moderation. Sugar can be found naturally in foods (fruit, milk) or added to foods. It's essential to manage carbohydrate intake, as carbohydrates have the most significant impact on blood sugar levels. Sugar is just one type of carbohydrate, along with starch and fiber. People with diabetes can incorporate carbohydrate-containing foods into their meal plans while balancing their overall carbohydrate intake and monitoring their blood sugar levels.

Myth #3: Only people in larger bodies get diabetes.

Fact: While living in a larger body is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, it doesn't mean that all people with diabetes are larger. Genetic factors play a significant role in diabetes development, and some individuals in smaller bodies may still develop the condition.

Myth #4: Insulin cures diabetes.

Fact: Insulin is an essential hormone for survival. For those living with type 1 diabetes in which their body no longer produces insulin, taking insulin is necessary. Some people with type 2 diabetes may need insulin as well, but it is not a cure for diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition, and individuals often need lifelong management, which may include insulin, oral medications, physical activity and stress management.

Myth #5: People with diabetes can't lead a normal life.

Fact: With proper diabetes management, individuals can lead full and active lives. Advances in medical technology and diabetes education have made it possible for people with diabetes to maintain health and pursue their goals. Diabetes should not hold anyone back from achieving their dreams.

Myth #6: Gestational diabetes is not a significant concern.

Fact: Gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy, is a serious condition that can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby. It also increases the pregnant person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life and should be closely monitored and managed during pregnancy with regular screenings after pregnancy.

Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)

If you have questions about about diabetes for yourself or a loved one, the experts at Providence Swedish Endocrinoloy are here for you.

Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician. You can also connect virtually with your doctor to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual, you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.

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