Most of us have heard about diabetes, but let’s make sure we are on the same page about what it actually is. Diabetes is a very common health condition (1 in 10 adults in the US) that affects how your body uses sugar, also known as glucose.
When we eat, our bodies break down food into glucose, which is a type of sugar that serves as a source of energy for our cells. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps glucose enter our cells to provide them with energy.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This results in little to no insulin being produced, leading to high levels of glucose in the blood. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2 diabetes is more common and often develops in adults, although it can also occur in children. In type 2 diabetes, the cells become resistant to insulin, causing glucose to build up in the bloodstream.
Diabetes can be diagnosed through a variety of tests that measure blood glucose levels. One common test is the fasting glucose test, where you have your blood drawn after fasting overnight (fasting glucose of 126 or above is in the diabetes range). Another common test is the A1C, this blood test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months by looking at the percentage of hemoglobin in your blood that has glucose attached to it (6.5% or above is in the diabetes range).
Early diagnosis and management of diabetes are crucial to prevent complications and maintain good health.
We will discuss how diabetes is managed in a future post.
What questions do you have about diabetes now?
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