What Is Diabetes?

Need to Know
Issue No. 6: Food, Nutrition, and Access in Our Communities
Words - Terri Fleming
Illustration - Alexandra Folino

Knowing how to prevent diabetes starts with an understanding of the disease. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how the body turns food into energy. More than 122 million Americans are either prediabetic or living with diabetes. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Serious health problems can develop as a result of diabetes, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. 

Healthy eating and physical activity are two lifestyle adjustments that can prevent you from developing Type 2 Diabetes or slow its progression. 

Signs of Diabetes: 

Of the 34 million adults living with diabetes, 1 in 5 do not know they have it. If you experience the following symptoms, you should consult your health care provider to get your blood sugar tested:

• Extreme thirst or hunger

• Unintentional weight loss 

• Frequent urination (especially at night) 

• Blurred vision 

• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet 

• Increased infections 

• Delayed wound-healing 

• Dry skin 

There are 3 main Types of Diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational (during pregnancy). 

What is Type 1 Diabetes? 

• 5-10% of people living with diabetes have Type 1 diabetes, which means your body stops making insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed as a child or adolescent, and some may have a known family history of diabetes. The only way to control Type 1 diabetes is with insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of glucose in your bloodstream.

What is Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes?

• Prediabetes is when the body is becoming more resistant to insulin and blood sugar levels are above normal. You may not notice symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood sugar tested every year. 88 million adults in the United States are living with prediabetes, and more than 85% of them do not know. The sooner prediabetes is diagnosed, the better the chance that lifestyle interventions, like healthy eating and physical activity, can reverse the diagnosis. 

• Type 2 diabetes: 90-95% of people with diabetes have Type 2. Risk factors include prediabetes, family history, inactive lifestyle, increased weight, age (over 45), and if you are a person of color. Once diagnosed with Type 2, your provider may start you on oral medications or insulin injections to assist in lowering your blood sugar. They may also prescribe a glucometer, a machine that monitors blood glucose for you to use at home. 

What is Gestational Diabetes? 

• Gestational diabetes can develop in pregnant people who have never had diabetes, and prenatal care and screenings are very important for catching it early. Gestational diabetes typically goes away after the baby is born. However, it does increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes can also have an effect on the health of the baby; they are more at risk for obesity as a child and Type 2 diabetes later in life. 

How to Manage Diabetes: 

Once you have a diagnosis, there are important steps to take to reduce your risk of negative health problems. Consult with your health care provider about the following exams and blood work:

• Regular eye, food, and dental exams 

• A1C blood sugar tests every three months

• Yearly cholesterol and kidney labs

• Immunizations, including against flu, Pneumonia, and Hepatitis B

• Smoking cessation counseling 

• Blood pressure management (Tip: The goal is to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg. You can ask for a home blood pressure monitoring system so you can check your own blood pressure.)

Does Sugar Cause Diabetes?

Consuming too much sugar can lead to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay or cavities, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and weight gain/obesity. Carbohydrates are sugars, starches, and fibers that occur naturally in fruits, grains, some vegetables, and milk products. The body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which your body uses for energy. While complex carbohydrates provide a steady source of energy, simple carbohydrates (like sugar) send immediate bursts of glucose into the bloodstream. This is why you may feel a quick rush of energy after eating something sweet, followed by a feeling of fatigue when the energy is gone. 

Sugar has calories but lacks vitamins, minerals, and fiber. “Added sugars” are mostly found in prepackaged sweetened beverages (e.g. soda, teas, sports drinks, energy drinks), desserts, and other processed foods. They are often disguised under different names on food labels: corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, and high-fructose corn syrup, to name a few.

Alcohol and Diabetes

Consumption of alcohol inhibits the liver from creating glucose, which can impact blood sugar levels and put you at greater risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Alcohol is a drink that contains ethanol, which is produced by the fermentation of grains, fruits, or other sources of sugar. Some alcohols are highly distilled and do not contain sugars; for example: gin, vodka, and whiskey. However, these spirits are frequently mixed with juices that are high in sugar.