Diabetes: What you need to know — and do

If current trends continue, as many as 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes by the year 2050. That projection is staggering — but it doesn’t necessarily have to come true.

Almost 30 million adults and children in the U.S. have diabetes, and there are several forms of the disease. Type 1 diabetes, which affects approximately 5% of the U.S. population, is an autoimmune disease where the body destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Many people think this type of diabetes is only diagnosed in children and teens, but more than half the people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are over 30.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body doesn’t use it appropriately. In the past, this type of diabetes usually only occurred in adults. But now that many young people are overweight and have obesity issues, this type of diabetes is developing more in children and adolescents.

Types of diabetes

In each type of diabetes, the primary health issue is elevated blood glucose. These types include:

• Type 1 diabetes. This form always needs to be controlled with insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes. You may be able to control the disease with diet, exercise and oral medications, but eventually, these people will need insulin to treat their condition.
• Gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. It affects nearly 1 in 10 pregnancies. People who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a much greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes during their lifetime.

Diabetes signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of diabetes include:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Weight loss

Left undiagnosed and untreated, diabetes can lead to severe, long-term complications, including: 

• Eye disease and blindness
• Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
• Kidney disease
• Nerve disease
• Peripheral vascular disease and amputations

Diabetes risk factors

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, include:

• Being overweight or obese.
• Having a first-degree relative with diabetes.
• Having a history of gestational diabetes or delivering a baby greater than nine pounds.
• Having high blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Having prediabetes, metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Physical inactivity.

Certain ethnic populations also have a higher risk, including Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Prediabetes

Eighty-six million Americans have prediabetes — a condition where the blood glucose levels are just starting to elevate and are not yet to the level of diabetes. Prediabetes, however, doesn’t have to become type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Program study showed that lifestyle interventions, such as diet, exercise and weight reduction, can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half.

By balancing diet, exercise and medication, you can control diabetes and prevent long-term complications. However, this requires commitment on your part. Each person’s plan to control diabetes needs to be specific to them. With the right healthcare team and a strong personal support system, people with diabetes can live long and healthy lives without complications.

Kristi Stemsrud is a physician assistant and certified diabetes educator in Mankato, Minnesota.