Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects the body's ability to use and produce insulin, the way the body uses blood sugar for energy. When cells become insulin resistant or the body does not produce enough insulin, blood glucose levels rise, causing many immediate and long-term symptoms of diabetes. There are 4 types of diabetes: prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. All have the same symptoms and different symptoms distinguish each type.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Identify the risk factors for different types of diabetes

1. 

   Assess the risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women. If you are at high risk, you may be tested at the first antenatal visit and again after the second trimester. Women at low risk will be tested in the second quarter, from week 24 to week 28. Women with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes 10 years after. born. Risk factors include:
   • Pregnant at the age of over 25
   • Personal and family history of diabetes or pre-diabetes
   • Being overweight during pregnancy (BMI of 30 or higher)
   • Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander women
   • Third time pregnant and up
   • The uterus grows excessively during pregnancy

2. 

   
   
   Pay attention to the risk factors for prediabetes. Pre-diabetes is a metabolic condition with higher blood sugar than normal (70-99). However, this level is still lower than the recommended level of drug treatment to control blood glucose. Risk factors for prediabetes include:
   • Age from 45 and up
   • Overweight
   • Family history of type 2 diabetes
   • Have a sedentary lifestyle
   • High blood pressure
   • Have had gestational diabetes
   • Childbirth weighing 4 kg or more

3. 

   
   
   Risk assessment for type 2 diabetes. This type is sometimes called “all-round” diabetes. In this state, the body's cells become resistant to the effects of leptin and insulin. This increases blood sugar levels, causing symptoms and long-term side effects of the disease. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are similar to those of prediabetes, including:
   • Over 45 years old
   • Overweight
   • Physical inactivity
   • High blood pressure
   • A history of gestational diabetes
   • Childbirth weighs over 4 kg
   • Family history of diabetes
   • Chronic stress
   • You are a Negro, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander

4. 

   
   
   Check for risk factors for type 1 diabetes. Experts believe that the condition is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
   • Whites have a higher risk of type 1 diabetes.
   • Cold weather and viruses can provoke the development of type 1 diabetes in people at high risk.
   • Stress from childhood.
   • Babies who are breastfed and eat solid foods more slowly have a lower risk of type 1 diabetes, regardless of genetic risk factors.
   • If you have twins with type 1 diabetes, you have a 50% chance of also developing the disease.
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Part 2 of 4: Track the symptoms of diabetes

1. 

   Get tested for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes usually do not show any symptoms. Therefore, you should ask for testing if you have a risk factor for gestational diabetes. This disease is especially dangerous because it affects both you and your baby. Since the disease has a long-term impact on your baby, early diagnosis is essential.
   • Some women feel very thirsty and have a need to urinate continuously. However, these are also common signs of pregnancy.
   • Some women report feeling discomfort or discomfort after eating a lot of carbohydrates or sugar.

2. 

   Be careful with symptoms of prediabetes. Just like with gestational diabetes, there are often very few symptoms associated with prediabetes. Diabetes symptoms are often caused by very high blood pressure, which is not present in people with prediabetes. If you have risk factors for prediabetes, you need to be vigilant, tested regularly, and watch for even minor symptoms. Pre-diabetes can develop into diabetes if left untreated.
   • You may have prediabetes if you have "acanthosis nigricans" in specific areas of your body. These are thick, dark patches of skin that usually appear on the armpits, neck, elbows, knees, and knuckles.
   • You may experience discomfort after a meal high in carbohydrates or sugar.
   • Your doctor may give you a pre-diabetes test if you have elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure or a hormone imbalance like metabolic syndrome, or if you are overweight.

3. 

   Evaluate the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Whether you have risk factors or not, you can develop type 2 diabetes. Pay attention to your health and watch for signs of high blood sugar:
   • Unexplained weight loss
   • Blurred vision or changed vision
   • More thirst due to increased blood sugar
   • Urinating more
   • Tired and sleepy, even with enough sleep
   • The foot or hand feels like a pin or numbness
   • Frequent infection or recurrence of bladder, skin or mouth infection
   • Shivering or hungry in the middle of the morning or afternoon
   • Cuts or scratches seem to take longer to heal.
   • Dry, itchy skin, or unusual bumps or blisters.
   • Feeling hungrier than usual.

4. 

   Suspect type 1 diabetes with sudden symptoms. Although the majority of people develop type 1 diabetes during childhood or adolescence, type 1 diabetes can also develop into adulthood. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may come on suddenly or not be obvious over a long period of time, and may include:
   • Excessive thirst
   • Urinating more
   • Vaginal yeast infections in women
   • Confuse
   • Blurred eyes
   • Unexplained weight loss
   • Unusual enuresis in children
   • Intense hunger
   • Fatigue and weakness

5. 

   Seek medical attention when needed. The symptoms of diabetes are often ignored, causing the condition to progress to dangerous levels. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes show up over time. But with type 1 diabetes, the body can very suddenly stop making insulin. You will have more serious symptoms, which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. These symptoms include:
   • Take deep, quick breaths
   • Red face, dry skin and mouth
   • The breath smells sweet like fruit
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Stomach pain
   • Confusion or lethargy
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Part 3 of 4: Diabetes testing

1. 

   See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear. Your doctor will have to do a lot of tests to determine if you have diabetes. If you have prediabetes or diabetes, you will need to follow a regular treatment regimen under the guidance of your doctor.

2. 

   Blood sugar test. A blood sugar test works as it sounds: a blood sugar (glucose) test. This is a method used to determine if you are diabetic or at risk for diabetes. This test will be done in one of three cases:
   • A rapid blood glucose test is done when you have eaten nothing for at least 8 hours. If it's an emergency, your doctor will do a random blood sugar test, regardless of whether you have just eaten or not.
   • A two-hour postprandial test is done after you've eaten a certain amount of carbs to check your body's ability to process sugar. This test is usually done in a hospital so they can measure how much carbs you have eaten before the test.
   • The oral glucose tolerance test requires you to drink a liquid high in glucose. You will have a blood and urine test every 30-60 minutes to measure how well your body can tolerate the added sugar. This test is not done if your doctor suspects you have type 1 diabetes.

3. 

   Test A1C. This type of blood test is also known as the glycated hemoglobin test. This method measures the amount of sugar in combination with the body's hemoglobin molecules. This way your doctor can know your average blood sugar level over the past 30-60 days.

4. 

   Get tested for ketones if needed. Ketones are found in the blood when a deficiency in insulin forces the body to metabolize fats for energy. Ketones are passed out in the urine, most commonly in patients with type 1 diabetes. Your doctor may recommend a blood or urine test for ketones if:
   • Blood sugar levels higher than 240mg / dL.
   • With illnesses like pneumonia, stroke or heart attack.
   • Nausea and vomiting.
   • During pregnancy.

5. 

   Recommend periodic testing. If you have diabetes or are at high risk of developing diabetes, it is important to monitor your health and blood sugar regularly. High blood sugar will cause damage to the micro-blood vessels (micro-blood vessels) in the organs of the body. These damage can cause problems for the entire body. For holistic health monitoring, you need:
   • Annual eye exam
   • Evaluate diabetic nerve damage in the foot
   • Regular blood pressure monitoring (at least once a year)
   • Annual kidney test
   • Clean teeth every 6 months
   • Get tested for cholesterol regularly
   • See your primary care doctor or endocrinologist for routine exams
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Part 4 of 4: Treatment of diabetes

1. 

   Choose a lifestyle that is right for you with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. These conditions often develop due to our lifestyle rather than our genetics. By making changes in your lifestyle, you can lower your blood sugar levels or prevent disease progression.

2. 

   Eat less carbs. When you convert carbohydrates into sugar, your body needs to use more insulin. Reduce your intake of whole grains, pasta, candies, sweets, sodas, and other foods that are high in simple carbohydrates, as the body processes these foods too quickly and can cause blood sugar spikes. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about including complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber and have a low glycemic index in your diet. Complex, low-glycemic starches include:
   • Beans and legumes
   • Non-starchy vegetables (most vegetables, except for those like parsnips, banana leaves, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, beans, corn)
   • Most fruits (except for some like dried fruits, bananas and grapes)
   • Whole grains, such as chopped oats, bran, whole wheat pasta, barley, bulgur, brown rice, quinoa

3. 

   Eat foods high in protein and good fats. Although once considered a source of heart disease, the good fats found in avocados, coconut oil, grass-fed beef and backyard chickens are now considered good sources of energy. These fats can help stabilize blood sugar and reduce appetite.
   • Omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish such as tuna or salmon may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Eat 1-2 servings of fish per week.

4. 

   Maintain a reasonable weight. Insulin resistance increases proportionally with waist circumference. You can stabilize your blood sugar more easily while maintaining a healthy weight. The combination of diet and exercise will help you keep your weight at a reasonable level. Take 30 minutes of exercise each day to help your body use blood sugar without insulin. This also helps you maintain a healthy weight and improve sleep quality.

5. 

   No smoking. Quit smoking if you are smoking. Smokers have a 30-40% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-smokers, and the risk increases with more smoking. Smoking also causes many dangerous complications for people who already have diabetes.

6. 

   Does not depend entirely on drugs. If you have type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, your doctor may prescribe medications for you to take in addition to lifestyle changes. However, you cannot rely solely on drugs to control the disease. The medicine is meant to support changes that are primarily due to changes in your lifestyle.

7. 

   Take hypoglycemic drugs (hypoglycemic) if you have type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. This drug comes in the form of an oral tablet, which reduces blood sugar in 1 day. Some of these drugs include Metformin (biguanides), sulfonylureas, Meglitinides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and combination pills.

8. 

   Get insulin injections if you have type 1 diabetes. This is really the only effective way to treat type 1 diabetes, but it can also be used for type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. There are four types of insulin for this treatment. Your doctor will determine which is most effective for controlling your blood sugar. You can use one type or a combination of different types at different times of the day. Your doctor may also recommend an insulin pump to maintain insulin levels 24 hours a day.
   • Fast-acting insulin is taken before a meal, often in combination with long-acting insulin.
   • Short-acting insulin is taken 30 minutes before a meal, and is often combined with long-acting insulin.
   • The medium-acting insulin is taken twice daily and has the effect of reducing sugar when the short-acting insulin is short-acting.
   • Long-acting insulin can be used during a period of short-acting insulin and its short-term expiration.
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Advice

• Watch for your risk factors and seek medical advice if you have symptoms of diabetes.
• Take special care when you are hot or cold. Both of these conditions can increase blood sugar levels, and also affect medications and testing equipment.

Warning

• Do not self-treat diabetes at home. Long-term complications of diabetes can include kidney disease, blindness, amputation of the hands or feet, diabetic neuropathy, and death. You can reduce your medication use by making lifestyle changes and following your doctor's instructions.