Most people have their blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked regularly. However, few people have their blood sugar or glucose level checked. This is important as an elevated blood sugar level is the most common way of diagnosing diabetes.
The latest guidelines define a new diagnostic category “impaired fasting glucose” for minimally elevated sugar levels between 120 to 140 mg/dl. These levels signal a metabolic disorder called insulin resistance, which affects up to 30 percent of all adults. Not only does insulin resistance greatly increase the risk of developing diabetes, it increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Although people with a diagnosis of impaired fasting glucose don’t technically have diabetes, lifestyle changes are important to reduce their risk for developing it.
Why are high sugar levels harmful? Diabetes can be a “silent disease”. Although many people with high blood sugar levels feel healthy, the high levels can damage the body. Small blood vessels are particularly affected and this can cause eye, kidney and nerve (including impotence) damage. If blood sugar levels are not controlled, the damage occurs over several years. Often, there are no symptoms until permanent damage has occurred. The good news is that people who keep their blood sugar levels near to normal are less likely to develop complications.
The two types of diabetes.
There are two main types of diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes typically occurs in childhood and adolescence. People with this type of diabetes require insulin to stay healthy. This type of diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes typically occurs after age 40. This type of diabetes used to be called adult onset diabetes. It is the most common type of diabetes affecting about 90% of people with the disease. Major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include obesity, inactivity and increasing age.
How is diabetes treated?
Proper diabetes management includes:
- Medical checkups.
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with a glucose meter.
- A balanced healthy diet.
- Weight reduction if overweight.
- Exercise
- Possibly oral medications and/or insulin injections.
