When it comes to vital statistics, most of us know our height and weight. Knowing our blood sugar level is one that most of us wouldn’t be able to recite, but health professionals suggest that this number is an important one – too little sugar in our blood can lead to cognitive difficulties and too much can be a sign of an underlying condition like diabetes.
November is American Diabetes Month (designated because insulin was discovered in November 1922).
Cheryl Hester, a board-certified family nurse practitioner at Maria Parham Health, said that having a simple test to check blood sugar levels is an easy way to find out whether you may be at risk for developing diabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 34 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of those with the condition are not even aware they have it.
Additionally, more than 88 million American adults have what is known as prediabetes – a condition where blood sugar levels are abnormally high, but not quite high enough to qualify as Type 2 diabetes.
Persons with prediabetes can adjust their diet and lifestyle in the hope of staving off Type 2 diabetes.
There are three types of diabetes – Type 1 is usually diagnosed at an early age, Type 2 is often referred to as adult-onset and gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy.
Type 1 diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disorder because the body does not produce insulin; rather, the body destroys the cells that produce insulin.
Having Type 2 diabetes means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly. Some Type 2 diabetics can manage their blood sugar levels through healthy eating and exercise and others may need medication or insulin to regulate levels.
And a pregnant woman may develop gestational diabetes, which also can be managed to ensure a safe delivery for mother and baby.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops suddenly and intensely; Type 2 is slower to develop, sometimes without symptoms.
The most common symptoms include increased hunger or thirst, frequent urination, unexpected weight loss, fatigue, numb or tingling hands or feet and slow-healing sores.
Having a blood sugar test is the first step in knowing what your levels are and starting a treatment plan, because, left untreated and unmanaged, diabetes can have devastating effects on your health down the road. Hearing or vision loss, heart attack, stroke and more are several of the complications that unchecked diabetes can lead to.
If you would like to schedule a blood sugar test or talk with a provider about your health, call 800.424.DOCS. For more information about diabetes, visit diabetes.org and cdc.gov/diabetes.