Taking Care of Diabetes

Do you or a loved one struggle with diabetes? Perhaps you have just heard about this disease and want to know more. Learning the basics about diabetes will help you better take care of yourself or a loved one who may struggle with the disease at some point in your life. If you want to check your blood glucose levels, Arriva Medical offers various products as well as free diabetes testing.

Types of Diabetes

There are actually two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 was typically called juvenile diabetes in the past due to the fact that it was commonly diagnosed in children and young adults. This type makes up the minority of the population living with diabetes.

In type 1, the individual’s body is not able to produce enough insulin for the body to function correctly. The body needs to get a simple sugar, called glucose, into each of its cells. Glucose is formed from the breaking down of sugars and starches that have been digested by the body. Glucose is used to provide energy to the body, which is why it is so important to have in each of its cells. In order to transport glucose from the bloodstream and into the cells, we need the hormone insulin. Young people with type 1 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, so their bodies are unable to transport the glucose properly.

The good news is that is possible for these individuals to live healthy, long lives. Even small children can learn how to use treatments, such as insulin therapy, to manage their condition and take care of their bodies.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and is often referred to as hyperglycemia. It can sometimes be found with free diabetes testing. Hyperglycemia is when your body has higher sugar (blood glucose) levels than normal. Insulin should help regulate the glucose levels, but with type 2 diabetes the individual’s body does not properly use insulin. The pancreas may start to produce extra insulin to compensate, but over time it is unable to keep up with the demand. Insulin resistance can wreck havoc on your body, but it is also possible to take care of it with medication and a healthy lifestyle.

How Diabetes Can Be Managed

Unfortunately, there is no cure for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Some individuals with type 2 diabetes are able to lose pounds through exercise and may see some improvement in their glucose levels. However, if they were to stop their physical activity and regain some of the shed weight, it is likely they would see high blood glucose return.

Diabetes can be managed to the point of it being well controlled, but it can still remain with the individual forever. Using medication and insulin in conjunction with healthy eating choices and physical activity may help to prevent individuals from developing any unfortunate complications from diabetes.

An important element of controlling your blood glucose levels is self-testing. It helps you learn how your body is reacting to treatment and help you keep your blood sugar within a specific target range. Consult your doctor if you want to try free diabetes testing to see if your levels make you at-risk for diabetes. arrivamedical.com

John Trinh has been writing for 10+ years. He first delved into the world of writing when he wrote his first article for his university's paper.