WHAT IS DIABETES?

Hello Everyone! This section of the blog will be focused on Diabetes where I will be giving quick tips and related experiences that will help you get ahead in the game with Diabetes.

To get started, below you will find a quick definition of what is Diabetes provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:

“Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and
comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes
your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.”

In other words, Diabetes is a very common disease that will have an impact in your sugar levels, food intakes, lifestyle choices, and more. When not enough insulin is produced or the body cells cannot use the insulin properly, blood sugar levels rise above normal and diabetes develops.

However, the good news for you is that Diabetes can be very well managed and there are tremendous tools out there to help you thrive. Are you ready to take action?

It’s not just Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes anymore. Many other form of diabetes have been designated: gestational diabetes, LADA, MODY, neonatal diabetes and secondary diabetes.

There are two types of Diabetes that you need to be familiar with: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is a type of autoimmune disease. Is the most critical form of Diabetes and as of today, it has no cure. Typically appearing during childhood or adolescence, Type 1 Diabetes can also occur at every age in people of every race and size.

In Type Diabetes, the body does not produce insulin so oneself must manage blood sugar levels with insulin, diet and lifestyle to prevent complications. Treatments such as taking insulin, carbohydrate/fat/protein counting, frequent blood sugar monitoring, eating healthy foods and exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight are the necessary routine habits that will later on become your own lifestyle with a well-managed Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type of Diabetes and involves your body resisting the effects of insulin or not producing enough of it to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Type 2 Diabetes is frequently diagnosed in older ages, however there is an increase in this disorder being developed in children and younger adults probably due to the rise in childhood obesity. Currently, there's not an exact cure for Type 2 Diabetes, but losing weight, eating a well balanced diabetic diet and exercising can help manage the disease. Diabetes medications and insulin therapy shall be needed if diet and exercise aren't enough to manage your blood sugar well.

Hope this little introduction to Diabetes has helped you understand the basics of this disease and the broad overview of actions that can help you manage it and thrive. As usual, eating healthy and exercising is a fundamental key to Diabetes and through this blog, I will help you provide tips and ideas that my soon-to-be husband and myself constantly use on our day to day life.

Always remember: ADAPT DIABETES TO YOUR LIFE AND NOT YOUR LIFE TO DIABETES!

Stay tuned and see you soon on my next post!

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