Diabetes is a condition wherein the body is unable to process blood glucose or what is more commonly referred to as blood sugar. The number of people who have diabetes is around 30 million in the United States alone. These are people over 18 who may or may not have the condition diagnosed. This number represents between 27% to 32% of the population in the US. If diabetes goes untreated, it could lead to the buildup of sugar in the blood, which may result in further complications like a stroke or heart disease. People are advised to visit a doctor immediately if they notice any warning signs.

Let’s look at the different types of diabetes.

Type I diabetes
This type occurs in people whose bodies cannot produce insulin. It is, therefore, also known as juvenile diabetes. People who suffer from this type of diabetes must take artificial insulin in order to stay active and healthy.

Type II diabetes
This is the most prevalent and common type of diabetes. While the body still produces insulin, the cells of the body don’t react to the insulin as they used to. This type of diabetes is mainly linked with obesity.

Gestational diabetes
Diabetes sometimes unexpectedly occurs in pregnant women as their bodies are unable to process insulin. This is known as gestational diabetes. This condition usually resolves itself after a woman has given birth.

There are other types of diabetes as well that are not as common, such as monogenic diabetes or cystic-fibrosis diabetes.

Management of diabetes

Here are a few effective tips to manage diabetes:

Exercise regularly
Exercise is one of the simplest and most cost-effective options for tackling diabetes . People only need to exercise for about 30 minutes a day to see the results. Exercise tends to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. People who are just starting out should go slow and then gradually exercise on all seven days in a week. The activity can be light aerobic exercises like jogging or walking. Alternatively, people who prefer to work with weights in a gym may do so. Exercise also has an effect on your blood sugar levels. So, it is important that you talk to your doctors about adjusting your dosage beforehand.

Follow the right diet
Diabetes doesn’t place too many restrictions on your diet as many people claim. You are advised to opt for non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, and asparagus. There are certain other foods that can be consumed. These are citrus fruits, beans, berries, nuts, and sweet potato. Whole grains like millets, brown rice, popcorn, quinoa, whole wheat, and sorghum are also quite beneficial for a diabetic patient.

Keep your stress levels under control
It is important to keep stress at bay as diabetes is also about mental health. If you are stressed, your blood sugar levels rise and the body is less sensitive to insulin. Try to adopt certain techniques to calm the body. You could also try meditation. Stress may cause people to eat more and exercise less, and this could be harmful.

You are advised to watch your diabetes closely and monitor the situation with a doctor constantly. Also, to avoid any complications, keep a check on your food intake after consulting a doctor.