Diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood sugar. High blood sugar can result from too little insulin, the body's inability to use insulin, or both.
Symptoms of diabetes include excessive urination, increased thirst, blurred vision, fatigue, dry and itchy skin, dramatic weight loss and nausea.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes - Diagnosed in children and young adults
- Type 2 diabetes - Most common type of diabetes, usually diagnosed in adults
- Gestational diabetes - Occurs during pregnancy
Patients can better manage diabetes by doing the following:
- Exercise
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains
- Avoid food high in fat and sugar
- Maintain blood pressure and cholesterol
- Test blood glucose levels daily
- Take the appropriate insulin as prescribed by the doctor
Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but if patients take the proper steps to control it, they can lower their risk for complications.
The Diabetes & Nutrition Center at Northwest Hospital can help diabetic patients learn more about their disease and give them tools to better control it.