Diabetes was the ninth leading cause of death with over 1.5 million deaths worldwide as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019.
If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with Diabetes, here’s help to make your journey easier. Diabetes is not the end of the world; you can still live your best life. All you need is some knowledge and will to take the first step towards a healthy you.
We at Doral Health & Wellness have all the answers you are looking for.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic hormonal diseases giving rise to a malfunction in the way your body uses blood sugar (if the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the body isn’t able to use the insulin it produces). Insulin is a hormone that manages blood sugar levels. Increased blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia) are the result of uncontrolled diabetes and lead to considerable damage to the nerves, eyes, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels over time.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent, juvenile/childhood-onset) happens due to reduced production of insulin. It is usually genetic in origin. In 2017, there were over 9 million people (about half the population of New York) with type 1 diabetes.
Causes
The main cause of type 1 Diabetes is a glitch in Insulin production. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps break down the food you eat into blood sugar (blood glucose) that it uses for energy. So, in the absence of Insulin, the body is unable to break down carbohydrates and it leads to elevated levels of blood sugar.
Remember: Anyone can learn to manage this disease by following a proper diet and exercise routine and with the help of insulin therapy and other treatments.
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form of diabetes caused due to lifestyle choices (unhealthy eating, excess weight) that lead to metabolic problems over time.
Causes
When your body doesn’t use insulin properly or your cells become resistant to insulin, you might be diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes.
Remember: A key to managing type 2 diabetes is regular workouts and a healthy diet. A little effort every day can help you put yourself in charge of your life.
We’re here with all the resources and support you need. Call us on 1-347-384-5690.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of hyperglycemia diagnosed during the first few months of pregnancy/gestation. It happens to millions of women and though it sounds scary, you can manage it.
Causes
During pregnancy, changes in hormonal levels may sometimes make it difficult for the mother’s body to use insulin leading to insulin resistance.
Remember: Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor to find ways to keep your blood sugar levels normal and have a safe delivery.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. What’s alarming is there are no clear symptoms of prediabetes—so you may have it and not know it. Also, most people with type 2 diabetes almost always have prediabetes before getting diagnosed.
Remember: If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop type 2 diabetes.
See your doctor now and get tested.
Health impact
Over time, diabetes can damage all the major organs in the body including the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
- Neuropathy (nerve damage) in the feet, when combined with restricted blood flow, raises the risk of foot ulcers, infection, and amputation.
- Diabetics have a two- to three-times higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common causes of kidney failure.
- Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of blindness that develops because of long-term damage to the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
What can I do?
Diabetes is a serious condition, but you manage it. Talk to our healthcare team about Diabetes and its management.
To learn more about Diabetes and its management visit our Endocrinology page. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@mainwebsite.dialysisny.com if you have any queries. Call us on 1-347-384-5690 to get answers to your queries or pay us a visit at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212. And if you have diabetes or have its symptoms, come to us for diagnosis and treatment, we have the best endocrinologists and diabetes specialists to help you throughout the process.