What Exactly Is Diabetes? When you have diabetes, your blood glucose—otherwise known as blood sugar—is too high. The reason for that depends on the type of diabetes you have. In those with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. In those with Type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t make insulin well or produce enough of it. In either case, medical intervention is necessary to ensure the body’s blood sugar levels stay in proper proportion.
Risk Factors for Diabetes
- Family history
- Infection
- Illness
- Disease of pancreas
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
What Are the Warning Signs of Diabetes?
Symptoms develop when your body has too much blood glucose over a period of time. Keep a careful eye on your body and talk with a doctor if you experience increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss or gain, extreme fatigue, blurred vision or slow-healing sores. The good news is that you can take steps to lower your risk of developing diabetes, since Type 2 diabetes in particular is largely lifestyle-based.Ways to Reduce Risk of Diabetes
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a balanced diet filled with fruits and veggies.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
- Take steps to effectively manage stress.
- Limit your intake of added sugars.
