Diabetes:

Symptoms and

Prevention
What is Diabetes?
When we eat carbohydrates, our body breaks them down into the simple sugars,
including the simple sugar glucose. Glucose is used by cells throughout the body for
energy. The hormone insulin is used to get glucose from the blood into body cells.
Diabetes is a disease characterized by an inability of body cells to uptake glucose.
The cause of this issue is what determines whether diabetes is type I or type II.
Type I
In type I diabetes the pancreas does not produce insulin. With no insulin, body cells
cannot uptake glucose from the blood, leading to problems regulating blood sugar.
Treatment for type I diabetes typically includes insulin therapy.
Type II
In type II diabetes the pancreas produces insulin but the body does not use it
properly. Body cells become resistant to insulin, which means they do not uptake
glucose despite high insulin levels. The pancreas will overproduce insulin to make up
for it, but eventually it cannot make enough to keep blood glucose levels normal.

Symptoms
Hyperglycemia:
High blood glucose
High levels of sugar in urine
Increased hunger
Increased urination
Extreme thirst
Blurred vision
Nausea/vomiting
Sweet, fruity breath
Feeling tired/fatigued
Unusual weight loss
Shortness of breath

Hypoglycemia:
Low blood sugar
Shakiness
Nervousness/anxiety
Sweating, chills, clamminess
Irritability/impatience
Confusion, delirium
Rapid/fast heartbeat
Dizziness/lightheadedness
Nausea
Hunger
Blurred/impaired vision
Tingling or numbness on lips and
tip of tongue
Headaches
Sleepiness
Nightmares/crying out during
sleep

In extreme cases, seizures and

unconsciousness

Prevention
Common risk factors:
Physical inactivity
First-degree relative with diabetes
Member of high-risk population - African American, Latino, Native American,
Asian-American, and Pacific Islander
Hypertension (BP of 140/90 or more)
Severe obesity
Unhealthy eating
High blood glucose
Prevention
Its all about lifestyle
Move more! Engage in physical activity of moderate intensity, such as brisk
walking, for at least 150 minutes per week. Thats only 30 minutes a day for 5
days.
Maintain a healthy weight and BMI (18.5- 24.9 kg/m)
Eat a variety of foods that are low in fat and in an appropriate calorie range
o Focus on fruits
o Vary your veggies
o Get your calcium-rich foods
o Make half your grains whole
o Consume high fiber foods such as beans, nuts, peas, etc.
o Go lean with protein
o Know the limits on fats, salt, and sugars
o Dont forget about water!
Reduce portion sizes
Limit processed foods
Limit intake of alcohol
If a smoker, quit smoking or talk to someone about ways to quit
Medication such as the prescription drug Metformin (if prediabetes symptoms)

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/?loc=db-slabnav
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?loc=db-slabnav
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p49356-hyper.pdf
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html?
referrer=https://www.google.com/
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/diabetes-prevention-program-dpp/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/cua.html

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/tentips/10-tips-to-help-prevent-type-2-diabetes
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/delaying-preventing-type-2-diabetes/50-ways-prevent-type-2-diabetes
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-guide/preventing-type-2-diabetes
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-prevention/art-20047639