Diabetes is caused by a higher than usual sugar level in the bloodstream. This condition will continue throughout the life of the patient and will require continual monitoring.
Diabetes is a deficiency in the pancreas to produce the required amount of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the body to control the amount of sugar that enters your bloodstream. People with diabetes do not have enough insulin available or produce insulin that does not work efficiently.
Do I have diabetes?
In the UK, it is estimated that there are 3.9 million people with diabetes. 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
People can have unusually increased levels of sugar within their blood but it may not be high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. People with higher blood sugar levels are at an increased risk of developing the illness.
If you suspect that you have diabetes, it is important to get diagnosed as early as possible. You should consult a GP if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Increased tiredness
- Muscle and weight loss
- Increasing thirst
- More frequent urinating
- Blurring of vision
- Â Frequent episodes of thrush
- Penis or vagina feeling itchy
- Cuts or wounds healing slowly
These symptoms can occur quickly in type 1 diabetes. Sometimes type 1 diabetes can develop over weeks or within days.
Type 2 diabetes can develop over years as the symptoms are not so apparent in the early stages.
Types of diabetes
The two main types of diabetes are type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes) and type 2 (insulin deficiency or insulin resistance).
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the cells which create insulin. Since insulin maintains a healthy level of glucose, the higher levels of glucose that enter the bloodstream can damage the organs in the body.
People who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes will require insulin injections throughout their lifetime. They will also need to have regular blood tests to monitor sugar levels.
People living with type 1 diabetes will also need to monitor their lifestyle choices carefully to keep glucose levels balanced. This includes taking regular physical activity and eating a healthy diet.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin. It can also be the result of cells which do not interact properly with insulin.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can increase over time as it is a progressive condition. As the effects of the diabetes increases, the patient may require to take medication such as tablets.
Obesity is often a condition related to type 2 diabetes. This association with obesity is more common in older people.
Ensuring that you are maintaining a healthy weight (BMI) is one way of checking that you avoid the onset of obesity-related diabetes.
Use this online BMI calculator to check if you are at risk of becoming overweight.
Healthy Living with Diabetes
Good diet
Ensuring that you eat a balanced diet is especially important for people with diabetes. The types of food that you consume will have a direct impact on your body’s glucose levels.
You need to maintain a good diet that includes fruit, vegetables and food such as whole grain and pasta that contain carbohydrates.
Symptoms can become more severe with overweight people who have type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes may also require further dietary requirements to enable them to lose weight.
Drink responsibly
Drinking alcohol can make it difficult to keep an accurate measurement of your blood sugar levels. This is because alcohol can increase or decrease your glucose levels. You should only drink within recommended limits and eat food before consuming alcohol.
Keep fit
Regular exercise helps to lower glucose levels in the blood. Therefore, physical exercise for about 150 minutes a week is strongly recommended for people with both types of diabetes. If you are considering adapting your usual lifestyle to increase your physical exercise you may need to consult a doctor to adjust your diet or insulin treatments accordingly.
Watch blood sugar levels
People with diabetes need to be aware of the glucose levels within their blood throughout their lives. This means that you will need to attend regular checkups with your GP. Your doctor will need to take blood tests to be able to adjust your medication appropriately. Your doctor will also check your eyes, nerves and feet for signs that they have been effected by diabetes.
Nutrition advice for people with diabetes
A diabetic diet requires you to consider the food that you eat carefully. You will need to ensure that you are eating foods which provide the correct amount of glucose to work with the insulin that you are taking.
A nutritionist will be able to help you plan a healthy diet based on your individual requirements. Finding the right balance may seem complicated but advice from a professional can help you to make the right choices.
If you are considering a change in your diet, you should consult your doctor to ensure that you maintain the correct doses of insulin.
A balanced diet
A balanced diet is recommended to keep you healthy alongside your insulin intake.
Vitamins and Minerals
Five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. These are essential for providing your body with the vitamins and minerals that you need.
Carbohydrates
Starchy foods such as pasta, potatoes, bread and rice provide carbohydrates which your body breaks down into glucose. Whole grain and whole wheat starchy foods are recommended. These have more complex carbohydrates which are absorbed slowly keeping your glucose levels unaffected.
Calcium
You should consume three portions of dairy per day to provide calcium to help keep your bones and teeth strong. This includes cheese, yoghurt and milk. People with diabetes should be aware of the fat and sugar levels of dairy products. If you have been advised to lose weight, you can choose low fat products. Some low fat dairy products may include extra sugar.
Protein
Protein rich foods such as meat, fish and pulses are required for healthy muscle growth. You should try to eat a portion of protein each day. You should also try to consume two portions of oily fish per week as this contains omega-3 fatty acids which offer additional benefits.
Sugar and Fat
Sugary and fatty foods should only be eaten in moderation. For diabetics, it is advised to choose the low sugar options with products such as sugary drinks which can quickly raise sugar levels.
Salt
It is important to regulate the amount of salt in your diet. High intakes of salt can produce damaging effects to your health including heart disease and high blood pressure.
Further reading
Visit the Diabetes UK website here.
Read more about diabetes on the NHS website.