Patients with diabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. This occurs when the body does not produce enough or does not respond to the production of insulin. Insulin is the hormone responsible for allowing cells to utilize sugar in the blood, also called blood glucose, as energy.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, once called juvenile diabetes, results when the body does not produce insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, only 5 percent to 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. It is typically diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is more common. Type 2 diabetes is marked by a lack of insulin production or cells that ignore the available insulin supply. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include increased body weight and race. African Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans are all at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes diagnosed after the 28th week of pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. This diagnosis does not mean that a mother was diabetic prior to pregnancy, and she may not have diabetes after birth. However, proper monitoring, exercise and diet will be part of her prenatal care. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at risk for having larger babies, a condition known as macrosomia, and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar related to excess insulin in the blood.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, thirst, extreme hunger, weight loss and fatigue. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include all type 1 symptoms and also frequent infections, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts and bruises and numbness in the hands and feet.
Complications
The American Diabetes Association educates diabetes patients about the complications associated with diabetes, as the condition increases patients' risk for many health problems. Eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts and retinopathy are commonly seen in diabetics. Numbness in the feet, also called neuropathy, is another complication. Skin infection and slow-healing wounds, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and mental health issues related to diabetes care are all concerns for diabetic patients.
The Role of Nutrition
Blood glucose levels are tightly tied to the amount of sugars in the food eaten. It is vital that diabetics watch their food choices and make smart decisions when it comes to sources of sugar. Complex carbohydrates, like those found in fruits, are recommended. The American Diabetes Association also recommends whole grains over refined, processed carbohydrates. Lean meats, fish and non-fat dairy can all be safely incorporated into a healthy diabetic eating plan. Portion control and limiting sweets are also important to maintaining a healthy weight and blood sugar levels.
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