- Health & Wellness
Your Guide to Understanding Diabetes and Prediabetes
Diabetes and prediabetes are health conditions that affect millions of people. This guide explains diabetes and prediabetes, and how you can manage or even prevent them.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes happens when the body has a hard time using sugar from food. This makes blood sugar levels too high, which can be harmful over time.
The body needs a hormone called insulin to turn sugar into energy. In diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly. If diabetes isn’t treated, it can lead to problems with the heart, kidneys, nerves and vision.
There are 3 main types of diabetes:
- Type 1: An autoimmune condition that can develop in children or young adults and requires daily insulin injections.
- Type 2: A common form of diabetes, particularly in adults, which results from insulin resistance. This can often be managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications or insulin therapy. Learn more about insulin resistance and diabetes Type 2 from CDC.
- Gestational: Occurs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes causing insulin resistance. It typically resolves after childbirth but increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a warning sign that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes. It means you’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. With healthy lifestyle changes, many people can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes.
Differences Between Diabetes and Prediabetes
- Blood Sugar Levels: The main difference between diabetes and prediabetes is that fasting blood sugar levels are different. Learn more about the different ranges from CDC.
- Symptoms: Prediabetes usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. Diabetes, however, can cause increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss without trying, feeling very tired and blurred vision.
- Treatment: Prediabetes can often be reversed with healthy habits, while diabetes, especially Type 1, usually requires regular treatment, such as insulin. Always consult your doctor to find the best treatment for you.
Diabetes Symptoms
Preventing and Managing Diabetes and Prediabetes
Healthy lifestyle changes can help with the prevention and management of diabetes. For people with prediabetes, it’s a chance to prevent diabetes before it begins.
By staying active and eating nutritious foods, managing and monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and taking medications as prescribed you can take control of your condition and overall health. Here are some resources to help:
- Fitness benefits: Caregivers on the plan also have many wellness benefits that can help with staying active, such as fitness discounts and free wellness coaching.
- Healthy lifestyle tips: Try these 5 easy ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle including eating nutritious foods.
Start taking steps towards a healthier tomorrow this National Diabetes Month. By understanding diabetes and prediabetes, recognizing the risk factors and making small but powerful lifestyle changes, you can make a big difference in your health and wellbeing.
