Approximately 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes in the United States every year. While there is no cure for diabetes, there are ways to manage and control it. Aside from managing your diet, you can also take medications to help your body use insulin more efficiently. This will reduce your risk of heart disease and other problems.
The first goal of diabetes treatment is to keep your blood glucose level from escalating. In some cases, this may require the help of insulin injections. In other cases, you may need to make changes in your diet or exercise habits. It’s important to work closely with your doctor to develop a healthy plan for keeping your blood sugar levels in a safe range.
Aside from your doctor, you may want to work with a dietitian and a certified diabetes care specialist. This will help you learn to manage your diabetes, keep track of your blood sugar and be educated on how to prevent complications.
Diabetes can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and other organs. It can affect your vision and increase your chances of developing serious infections. This can lead to cataracts, nerve damage, and ulcers on your feet. You should see your doctor for regular eye exams.
High blood sugar can cause your kidneys to damage, which can lead to dialysis. You might also need to have your kidneys transplanted. Your doctor can run simple tests to find out if you have diabetes.
The main reason for the high level of glucose in your blood is that your body does not produce enough insulin. Your pancreas makes insulin, but it can be ineffective at moving glucose from the bloodstream to your cells. There are other factors that can contribute to high blood sugar, such as physical inactivity and obesity. In some cases, you can develop insulin resistance, which increases your risk of developing diabetes. If you have both types of diabetes, you need to be careful about your lifestyle.
In addition to checking your blood sugar levels, you should visit your doctor at least once a year to check your blood pressure. A high blood pressure can lead to stroke and other life-threatening conditions. If your blood pressure is too high, you might need to take medicine to lower it.
Using a glucose meter is a good way to monitor your blood sugar level. The meter pricks your finger with a small needle called a lancet. Then, a test strip is placed on the meter. A reading is given a few hours after the glucose has entered your bloodstream.
You might be able to delay or prevent diabetes by changing your diet or exercise habits. If you have type 2 diabetes, you might need to change your medication. You might also have to adjust the dose of your insulin.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you can’t make insulin on your own. You will need to take daily insulin injections. Alternatively, you can take inhaled or oral insulin. There are new drugs in development that might help you use insulin more effectively.