Diabetes is a common, chronic (lifelong) condition affecting people of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 40 million Americans have diabetes, with more than 25% not knowing they have the condition.  

Diabetes develops when the pancreas doesn’t make enough (or any) insulin (a hormone), or when the body doesn’t respond to the effects of insulin properly.  Generally speaking, glucose — the body’s go-to source for energy — is carried by blood to all the body’s cells, with an “assist” from insulin. In people with diabetes, however, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, causing high sugar.  

“As blood sugars rise, our bodies use insulin to drive glucose from the bloodstream into a blood cell,” said Dr. Sipa Patel, a family medicine practitioner affiliated with CommonSpirit Health. “When there is a defect in the insulin, glucose remains in the bloodstream and cells become weak because they lack the energy needed to function.” 

While diabetes is serious, medications and lifestyle modifications can help manage the condition so you live a healthy life while reducing the risk of complications. 

“The prognosis is good if daily blood glucose can be decreased. Management can include medications, but it is always recommended to reduce carbohydrate intake and exercise with moderate intensity at least 150 minutes a week,” said Dr. Patel. “I recommend a maximum of 30-45 gm of carbohydrates per meal and 15gm for two snacks during the day.” 

Types of diabetes 

Type 1 diabetes: In this autoimmune disease with no known cause, the immune system destroys beta cells that create insulin. Type 1 diabetics (typically younger patients), have absolute insulin deficiency. 

Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes (the Cleveland Clinic notes that it represents to 90%-95% of all diabetes cases in the U.S.), where symptoms often develop slowly. It is caused by insulin resistance, a condition where the insulin made by the pancreas is not sensitive to the glucose int he bloodstream.  

Gestational diabetes: Testing for gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy for one out of 11 pregnancies, are done between weeks 24-28 of pregnancy. The condition may go away following childbirth but puts people at a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life.  

Diabetes symptoms

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination/ketones in urine
• Unexplained weight loss (Type 1)
• Feeling tired, weak or irritable 
• Blurry vision
• Having sores that are slow to heal or gum, skin or yeast infections
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Areas of darker skin at the neck or armpits 

It is crucial to see a physician if you notice any of the above symptoms. Over time, consistently high blood glucose can lead to heart disease, nerve damage, and eye issues. Common long-term diabetes complications include coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.  

Know your numbers! 

• A fasting glucose below 100 mg/dL is a normal blood sugar level.
• A range between 100-125 mg/dL is pre-diabetes, indicating that your blood sugar levels are elevated, but not yet high enough to be called diabetes.  Prediabetes is often found in routine bloodwork and can be the precursor for Type 2 diabetes.
• A level of 126 or higher is diagnosed as diabetes. 

An A1C test — a simple blood test showing a 2- to 3-month snapshot of average blood sugar — can help medical providers detect pre-diabetes, help diagnose Type 2 diabetes, and evaluate your treatment strategy.  

Results of an A2C test between 5.7% and 6.4% is pre-diabetes; with 6.5+ diabetes. 

“If prediabetic, improve diet and exercise, but consider a prevention medication such as metformin,” said Dr. Patel. “This may not stop diabetes altogether, but will prevent the progression to diabetes sooner, leading to less harm to the skin, kidneys, heart, brain, eyes, immune and vascular systems.” 

Managing diabetic conditions 

• Monitor your blood sugar, take oral medication or insulin
• Watch your diet, eating at consistent mealtimes with portion control in mind. Good-for-you foods include barley, beans and legumes, brown rice, fatty fish like salmon or mackerel, olive oil, peanut butter, nuts, oatmeal, quinoa, seeds and sweet potatoes, unsweetened Greek and nondairy, low-sugar yogurt and wild rice.
• Stay hydrated! Drink water or unsweetened tea.
• Exercise! Both aerobics and strength training are beneficial. Be sure to check with a physician before beginning a physical fitness regimen.
• Maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Manage stress.
• Limit alcohol and don’t smoke.
• Get adequate sleep (7-9 hours each night).

Above all, take medications as prescribed, make — and keep — medical appointments, and take advantage of available educational materials and support to help with self-management of the condition.  

CommonSpirit Health offers comprehensive services designed to help patients take control of their diabetes, reduce the condition’s risks and live rich, active lives. From preventative care to diabetes counseling, nationally recognized education programs and management assistance, doctors, educators, nurses and dieticians work together to tailor Individual plans for each patient.  

Care at CommonSpirit is inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by humanity. Learn more at CommonSpirit Health | Health Care in Colorado, Kansas & Utah.