Diabetes FAQ: What You Need to Know About the Condition
Q: What is diabetes?
A: Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body has
difficulty regulating blood sugar levels. There are two main types of diabetes:
type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body
attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to a
lack of insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body
becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain
normal blood sugar levels.
Q: What are the symptoms of diabetes?
A: Symptoms of diabetes can include increased thirst,
frequent urination, blurry vision, fatigue, slow healing of cuts or wounds,
tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, and unexplained weight loss.
Q: How is diabetes diagnosed?
A: Diabetes is diagnosed through a blood test that measures
the amount of glucose in the blood. The most common tests used to diagnose
diabetes are the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test and the hemoglobin A1c
(HbA1c) test.
Q: What is the treatment for diabetes?
A: The treatment for diabetes depends on the type of
diabetes and the severity of the condition. Treatment for type 1 diabetes
involves daily insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump to regulate
blood sugar levels. Treatment for type 2 diabetes may include lifestyle changes
such as exercise and a healthy diet, oral medications, and/or insulin therapy.
Q: What are the long-term complications of diabetes?
A: If left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can lead to
a variety of long-term complications, including cardiovascular disease, nerve
damage, kidney disease, eye problems, and foot problems.
Q: Can diabetes be prevented?
A: While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2
diabetes can often be prevented or delayed through healthy lifestyle choices
such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a healthy
diet.
Q: Is diabetes contagious?
A: No, diabetes is not contagious. It is not caused by a
virus or bacteria and cannot be spread from person to person.
Q: Can people with diabetes eat sweets?
A: People with diabetes can eat sweets in moderation as part
of a healthy diet. However, it is important to monitor blood sugar levels and
to make sure that sweets are consumed in the context of a balanced diet that is
low in sugar and high in fiber.
Q: Can diabetes be cured?
A: There is currently no cure for diabetes, but it can be effectively
managed with the right treatment and lifestyle choices. Research is ongoing to
develop new treatments and potentially a cure for diabetes in the future.
Q: How common is diabetes?
A: Diabetes is a common condition that affects millions of
people worldwide. According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are
currently 463 million adults living with diabetes, and this number is expected
to rise to 700 million by 2045.
Dr. Tirthankar Mukherjee
MD(Internal Medicine), MRCP(UK)
MRCP(Edinburgh), Fellowship in Diabetes (Chennai)
DNB( Internal Medicine), MNAMS
Physician & Diabetologist
Associate Professor & Senior Consultant (KIMS)Bangalore.
References :
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/overview
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/symptoms.html
https://www.diabetes.org/a1c/diagnosis
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/treatment
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/long-term-complications
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prevention.html
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/faq/is-diabetes-contagious
https://www.diabetes.org/nutrition/healthy-food-choices-made-easy/diabetes-superfoods
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/faq/is-there-a-diabetes-cure
https://www.idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes/facts-figures.html
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