HEALTH CONDITION

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (also called diabetes) occurs when a person's body can't make enough insulin or can't use it the right way. Insulin is a hormone that controls your body’s blood sugar levels. It moves glucose from your blood into your cells so it can be used for energy. The main symptom of diabetes is high blood sugar levels which over time can cause many health problems.

To learn more about managing diabetes, check out the Health Benefits Connector Homepage. Digital health companies offer personalized programs and services to help you manage diabetes through connected devices, health coaching, nutrition planning and more. Some programs may be available at no cost through your insurance.
Symptoms
Some key symptoms of diabetes include:
• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Losing weight without trying
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Fruity odor on the breath
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
Causes
There are different causes for the different types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes
• An autoimmune reaction where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
• The exact cause is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors likely play a role.
Type 2 Diabetes
• Insulin resistance - The body's cells don't respond properly to insulin.
• Being overweight or obese increases the risk of insulin resistance.
• Family history and genetics play a significant role.
• Lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet can contribute.
Gestational Diabetes
• Occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
• Risk factors include being overweight before pregnancy, family history, and age.
Treatment
Some common treatments for diabetes include:
Lifestyle Changes
• Following a healthy diet: Eating foods that are low in sugar, fat, and calories can help manage blood sugar levels. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
• Exercising regularly: Physical activity can help lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day of moderate activity like walking.
• Taking medications: Oral medications and/or insulin injections may be prescribed to help regulate blood sugar levels. Common medications include metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and insulin.
Monitoring Blood Sugar
• Monitoring blood sugar: Checking blood sugar levels regularly with a glucose meter allows you to see how food, activity, and medications impact your levels.
• Reducing stress: High stress can raise blood sugar. Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing may help.
Medications
• Insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes and some type 2 cases
• Oral medications like metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists for type 2 diabetes
• Using an insulin pump for better insulin delivery
Treatment plans are tailored to each individual based on the type of diabetes, current blood sugar levels, and other medical history. Work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment options for you. Feel free to check if you have access to any relevant Health Condition Programs that could help in managing diabetes.
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Frequently asked questions

What causes type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This means the body can no longer produce insulin, which is needed to regulate blood sugar levels. The exact cause of why this autoimmune response occurs is still being researched, but it likely involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Some potential causes and risk factors researchers believe may contribute to developing type 1 diabetes include:
• Genetics - Having a close family member with type 1 diabetes increases risk.
• Viruses - Exposure to viruses may trigger an autoimmune response.
• Environmental factors - Unknown environmental exposures may play a role.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar (glucose). In type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.

Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems and foot problems. But type 2 diabetes can often be improved with lifestyle changes like losing weight, eating healthy food, and exercising.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before getting pregnant. It occurs when the body cannot make enough insulin to handle the extra blood sugar levels that occur during pregnancy. Many women with gestational diabetes have no symptoms. If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause health issues for both the mother and baby. This is why your doctor will test for gestational diabetes around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. The good news is that through proper diet, exercise, medication if needed, and careful blood sugar monitoring, it can be managed. Speak to your doctor about getting tested for gestational diabetes if you are pregnant and have any of those symptoms. They can help come up with a treatment plan involving meal planning, physical activity recommendations, and possibly medications to keep your blood sugar levels in check.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
The main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is in what causes them. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leaves the body unable to produce enough insulin. It usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It is treated with insulin.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t make enough insulin. It usually starts later in adulthood and is linked to being overweight and inactive. Over time, blood sugar levels start to rise as the body struggles to keep up. It is treated with medication (pills or injections) or insulin.

In both types, high blood sugar can lead to complications like nerve, kidney and heart damage if blood sugar levels are not well controlled. While there is no cure yet for diabetes, healthy lifestyle choices and medications can help manage symptoms and reduce complications.
What is a diabetic diet?
A diabetic diet focuses on eating foods that help manage blood sugar levels. Some key points of a diabetic diet include:
• Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds. These foods are high in fiber and nutrients.
• Choosing lean protein sources like fish, poultry, Greek yogurt and tofu.
• Limiting processed foods, sweets, sugary beverages and refined carbs like white bread which can spike blood sugar.
• Paying attention to portion sizes and carbohydrate counts.
• Eating small, frequent meals every 3-4 hours to keep blood sugar stable.
Work with your doctor or nutritionist to create a customized diabetic eating plan that fits your preferences and health goals.
What are the signs of high blood sugar?
Here are some common signs and symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia):
• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Losing weight without trying
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Fruity odor on the breath
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
It's important to monitor your blood sugar closely if you have diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes. You should test your blood glucose at home regularly as instructed by your healthcare provider. If you have diabetes and your blood sugar goes too high, over 240 mg/dL, you may need to take extra insulin or diabetes medications to bring it back down into range.

Let your healthcare provider know if you experience frequent high blood sugar episodes, as your treatment plan may need to be adjusted.
What is pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes refers to when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Some key things to know about pre-diabetes:
• Insulin resistance syndrome means the body doesn't respond properly to normal amounts of insulin. The body then makes more insulin to get the same results. This problem is sometimes called prediabetes.
• Over time, prediabetes can cause health problems and lead to type 2 diabetes if not managed.
• Lifestyle changes like eating healthy, exercising, and losing weight can help prevent prediabetes from turning into diabetes.
What is diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that can occur as a complication of diabetes. It causes damage to the nerves in the body over time. This nerve damage can lead to symptoms like burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the arms, hands, legs and feet.

Here are some key points about diabetic neuropathy:
• Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common chronic problems with diabetes.
• It is caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the nerves over many years.
• It can cause sensations like burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities like the hands and feet.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that can cause damage to blood vessels in the retina of the eye over time. This is a complication that can occur with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2. As the disease progresses, it can cause vision problems and potentially blindness if not caught and treated early.

Some key things to know about diabetic retinopathy:
• It is caused by high blood sugar levels from uncontrolled diabetes damaging the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
• Symptoms often don't appear until the damage has progressed. That's why regular eye exams are so important for people with diabetes.
• Risk increases the longer someone has had diabetes. Keeping blood sugar levels well controlled can help prevent or delay diabetic retinopathy.
• Laser surgery and other treatments may help stop or slow vision loss if caught early. Controlling diabetes is also key.
What causes low blood sugar without diabetes?
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur even without diabetes. Some potential causes include:
• Missing or delaying meals - Going too long without eating can cause blood sugar levels to drop.
• Some medications - Certain medications, like insulin or sulfonylureas for diabetes, can sometimes cause low blood sugars.
• Drinking alcohol - Drinking alcohol, especially on an empty stomach, can inhibit the liver's ability to release glucose and can cause hypoglycemia.
• Other medical conditions - Issues with the liver, kidneys, pancreas or adrenal glands could also trigger low blood sugar in some cases.
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia are feeling shaky, sweaty, dizzy, hungry, nervous or getting headaches. It's important to treat low blood sugar quickly by having a fast-acting carbohydrate like fruit juice or glucose tablets. If left untreated, it can progress to confusion, seizures, coma and even death in extreme cases.

If you aren't diabetic and are experiencing frequent or severe hypoglycemia, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor to try to determine the underlying cause.
What are diabetic shoes and socks?
Diabetic shoes and socks are specially designed for people with diabetes to help prevent foot problems. Here are some key points:
• Diabetic shoes have a wider and deeper toe box to reduce pressure on the toes and prevent rubbing that can lead to sores.
• They also have cushioned insoles to absorb shock and reduce pressure when walking.
• Diabetic socks are made of breathable fabrics like cotton or wool blends to keep feet dry and prevent moisture buildup which can lead to skin breakdown.
• The socks have non-binding tops to prevent restriction of blood flow.
• They are usually seamless or have flat seam construction to prevent skin irritation and sores from rubbing.
Wearing proper diabetic shoes and socks is an important way for people with diabetes to prevent foot complications like ulcers and infections.
What is a diabetic coma?
A diabetic coma, also called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), is a very serious complication of diabetes that can lead to unconsciousness and even death if left untreated. It happens when the body starts breaking down fat at a dangerous rate, causing a build-up of acids called ketones in the blood.

Some of the main symptoms of diabetic coma or DKA include:
• Very high blood sugar levels
• Excessive thirst and frequent urination
• Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath and fruity-scented breath
• Confusion and drowsiness
DKA requires emergency medical treatment. It is usually prevented by taking insulin as prescribed and monitoring blood sugar levels closely. If you experience any of these diabetic coma symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
How can diabetes be prevented?
Diabetes can often be prevented or delayed by making healthy lifestyle choices. Some tips to help prevent diabetes include:
• Maintaining a healthy weight by eating a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising regularly.
• Limiting intake of foods high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.
• Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
• Getting enough sleep and managing stress levels.
• Having regular checkups to monitor blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Making small, sustainable lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes can also benefit greatly from lifestyle changes to prevent progression to full-blown diabetes.

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