Diabetes 101

Diabetes is recognized as a condition that affects how the body used blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is a necessary source of energy for cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It is also the brain’s primary source of energy.

There are two types of diabetes and both are caused in different ways. There is type 1 diabetes tends to develop in the early stages of life and can start at any age. It is most commonly found during childhood or teenage years. Whereas, type 2 diabetes develops over time and is linked to unhealthy lifestyle factors. This is most commonly found in people over 40 years of age. In addition, there is also prediabetes and this happens when blood sugars are higher than normal. And if not addressed this can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes are based on how high your blood sugar is. People who have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes sometimes do not even have symptoms. While people who have type 1 diabetes tend to have prominent symptoms and can be more severe. Some of these symptoms can include….

• Feeling more thirsty than usual

• Frequent urination

• Unexplained weight loss

• Ketones in urine - ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there is not enough available insulin

• Feeling tired and weak often

• Irritability and mood swings

• Blurry vision

• Developing slow-healing sores

• Gets a lot of infections, like gum, skin, and vaginal infections
  

Now, let’s discuss when is the right time to see a doctor. If you notice any of these symptoms within yourself or your child, contact your healthcare provider. The earlier you are diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. However, if you are diagnosed with diabetes, you should definitely monitor this closely and follow up with your doctor frequently. In addition, I would like to encourage you to seek out natural treatments options as well. Doing so, will help you adopt healthier habits and improve your health long-term.