What You Should Know About Diabetes
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body uses sugar (called glucose). Your body needs glucose for energy. A hormone called insulin helps move glucose from your blood into your cells. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it the right way. This causes sugar to build up in your blood, which can lead to health problems.
Types of Diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes: The body stops making insulin. This usually starts in children or teens.
- Type 2 diabetes: The body doesn’t use insulin well. This is the most common type and usually starts in adults.
- Gestational diabetes: This happens during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born.
Signs and Symptoms
Some people don’t know they have diabetes because the symptoms can be mild or slow to appear. Common signs include:
- Feeling very thirsty
- Frequent urination
- Feeling tired all the time
- Blurry vision
- Cuts or sores that heal slowly
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor. A simple blood test can check for diabetes.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can get diabetes, but some people have a higher chance. Risk factors include:
- Being overweight
- Not getting enough exercise
- Having a parent or sibling with diabetes
- Being 45 years or older
- Having had diabetes during pregnancy
- Belonging to certain racial or ethnic groups, such as African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American or Asian American
You can lower your risk by eating healthy foods, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.
How Is Diabetes Treated?
There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. Treatment depends on the type of diabetes. Most people need to:
- Take medicine or insulin
- Check their blood sugar regularly
- Eat healthy meals
- Exercise often
New tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) help people track their blood sugar without finger pricks. Some newer medicines also help with weight loss and heart health. In some cases, people with type 2 diabetes may benefit from surgery to help with weight loss and blood sugar control.
Diabetes in the United States
Diabetes affects over 53 million adults in the U.S. That’s about 1 in 6 people. Many people don’t know they have it. Older adults, men and people with barriers to health care are more likely to have diabetes. The good news is that more people are getting tested and treated early.
Diabetes is a serious disease, but with knowledge and care, it can be managed.
What You Can Do
Now is a good time to be proactive about your health.
- Learn more about your risk for diabetes.
- Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of diabetes or questions about your risk.
- If you have diabetes, see your doctor regularly.
- If you don’t have a primary care provider, find a Bronson doctor near you.
Bronson offers expert diabetes care, education and support for children and adults—including nutrition classes, glucose monitoring training and personalized self-management programs. Learn more about diabetes care at Bronson.
