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Diabetes: Don’t Sugar Coat it

Author: Devora Organic
Edited by: Obehi Oniha
Published: 12/29/2020

There are numerous misconceptions that are associated with diabetes. Some include: eating too much sugar can cause diabetes; only overweight or obese people can develop diabetes; people with diabetes can’t eat sugar, sweets, or starches. All of those statements are false! People living with the disease are already challenged enough. Awkward and insensitive remarks can add to the difficulties faced, so it’s important to be aware of what diabetes is and what it is not. 
 

What is diabetes: 

Diabetes is a long-lasting health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar and released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar increases, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy. However, if you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes as well as it should. Over time, having too much sugar in your bloodstream can cause serious health problems. 

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A simple blood test can determine whether or not you have diabetes. There are numerous blood sugar tests which will vary depending on the consistency of the result or you as an individual (ex; being pregnant can be a factor of having a certain type of test). Your doctor may diagnose you with the following tests: Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) Test which doesn’t require fasting, random blood sugar test, fasting blood sugar test, or an oral glucose tolerance test. 
 

All this talk about the severity of high and low blood sugar levels is probably confusing, so let’s break it down. It can be summarized by Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when someone with diabetes doesn’t have enough sugar in their blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body and brain, so you can't function well if you don't have enough. Low blood sugar is most common among people who have type 1 diabetes and take insulin . On the other hand, Hyperglycemia occurs when someone with diabetes has too much sugar in their blood, high blood sugar. Several factors can contribute to hyperglycemia in people with diabetes, including food and physical activity choices, illness, non diabetes medications, or skipping or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication. High blood sugar is most common among those with type 2 diabetes. 

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Common Types:

If you remember, it was previously mentioned that if you have diabetes, you either don’t make enough insulin or the insulin that you do make isn't being made as well as it should. So what’s the difference between not making enough and not using it well? This question can be answered by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The different types can affect the complexity of managing diabetes as well as the underlying health concerns one should be aware of constantly. 
 

Insulin-Dependent:

Otherwise known as, Type 1 Diabetes. This type is where your pancreas produces little to no insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar can’t get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. So why doesn’t the body produce enough insulin? Well, it is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake) which destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, beta cells. Unfortunately, this process can go on for months or years before any symptoms appear and once they do, they can be severe. These can include increased thirst, frequent urination, bed-wetting in children, extreme hunger, unintended weight loss, and blurred vision. Certain genes and traits passed on from parents make their offspring more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. Offspring can have type 1 diabetes in their genes and never get type 1 diabetes (these are carriers). It is important to note that Diet and lifestyle habits don’t cause type 1 diabetes. 

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All in all, don’t guess—if you think you could have type 1 diabetes, see your doctor right away to get your blood sugar tested. Risk factors for type 1 are not quite clear, but your family history and age are definitely factors to consider. If you have a family member with type 1 diabetes, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Additionally, though you can get diabetes at any age, type 1 is more likely to develop when you’re a child, teen, or young adult. According to the ADA, 1.25 million Americans have type 1 diabetes. This is about 5 percent of all diagnosed cases. The ADA estimates that 40,000 people receive type 1 diagnosis each year in the United States. 

Insulin-Resistance:

The most common type of diabetes is Type 2. According to the CDC, more than 34 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it. Type 2 occurs when your blood sugar is too high. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown. But, you can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, type 2 diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are age 45 or older, have a family history of diabetes, being physically inactive, or are overweight or obese. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans, or Pacific Islanders. Type 2 diabetes is inherited from either parent with the gene, this gene can be present in all offspring but some may not even get type 2 diabetes, just the genes. Similar to type 1, signs, and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. Look out for fatigue, slow-healing sores, and areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck. 
 

Health Risks/Complications: 

Over time, those who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to severe health complications that can be disabling or and even be life-threatening. They include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, dental disease, nerve damage, foot problems, depression, and sleep apnea. Additionally, diabetes puts you at risk of skin complications, high blood pressure, Diabetic Ketoacidosis that can lead to a diabetic coma, or even death. So controlling your blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications. 
 

The Cure:

Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes, but it can go into remission. Remission meaning that blood sugar levels are below the ‘diabetes’ range, not needing any further medication for diabetes. Remission can take different forms. Partial Remission––When a person has maintained a blood glucose level lower than a person with diabetes for at least 1 year, not needing to use any diabetic medication. Complete remission––When the blood glucose level returns to normal, outside the ‘diabetic’ range. Staying there for at least a year without any medication. Finally, prolonged remission––When the blood glucose level is normal for at least 5 years without any medication. Although the disease is still present within the body, a person can stay in remission for a long time. 

Treatment/Prevention:

Whether or not you have type 1 or type 2, the goal for both types is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible to delay or prevent complications. Two major beneficial impacts include diet and exercise. 

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A diet is very important when you have diabetes, a good diet for treating diabetes should consist of lots of complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains), fruits, and vegetables. It is very important to not skip a meal, always eat 3 meals a day at about the same time every day. Maintaining this type of diet helps keep insulin and sugar levels steady. Important things to keep in mind when you have diabetes and dieting is to avoid empty calories such as foods high in sugar, fat, and alcohol. 

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Exercise is just as important as diet and medication. Exercising helps manage weight, improves blood sugar, and heart health. A healthy diet exercise is just as strong as any medication ever prescribed. Health benefits from exercising are increased insulin sensitivity (insulin works better), lower blood sugar levels, increased energy & endurance, a healthier heart, better sleep, etc. 
 

Now let’s narrow down the differences between treatment for type 1 and type 2. Anyone who has type 1 diabetes needs lifelong insulin therapy. Insulin can't be taken orally to lower blood sugar because stomach enzymes will break down the insulin, preventing its action. You'll need to receive it either through injections or an insulin pump. Injections are exactly what they sound like––a fine needle and syringe or an insulin pen is injected under your skin. An insulin pump is a device worn on the outside of your body either on your waistband, in your pocket, or with specially designed pump belts.

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As for type 2, it’s more of a lifestyle change that works for you long term, along with regular and constant management of your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol. You can do this by quitting smoking, plan and eat healthy meals, limit calories if you are overweight, being more physically active, and taking any prescribed medications. 
 

As diabetes continues to spread worldwide, it is essential that an effective approach is adopted for its prevention and treatment. What we eat can have a profound effect on our bodies and choosing the right diet can literally save our lives. Keep in mind that diabetes does not have to be a fatal diagnosis. Scientific research and clinical studies show that lifestyle is the single most important factor in the development of diabetes and it is therefore never too late to try a new and effective approach.
 

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