Diabetes
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high blood glucose levels resulting from the body's inability to use or produce insulin.
- Type 1 diabetes (diagnosed in children and young adults)
- Type 2 diabetes (the most common type of diabetes, usually diagnosed in adults)
- Gestational diabetes (occurs during pregnancy)
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Excessive urination
- Increased thirst and/or hunger
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Management
Plans of care are customized according to each patient's individual needs and may include:
- Education about the disease process and treatment options
- Meal planning
- Physical activity
- Foot care
- Medication management
- Glucose monitoring
- Education about how to prevent acute complications
- Detecting and treating chronic complications
- Day-to-day management
- Behavior changes
Treatments
There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. Balancing a proper diet with exercise and your prescribed medications can help you control your weight and keep your blood glucose in the healthy range.