Understanding diabetes
Learn the signs of diabetes and ways to manage it.
Diabetes is a long-term health condition. It affects how your body uses sugar in your blood.
Your body uses blood sugar for energy. A hormone called insulin helps your body use that sugar.
With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it well. This causes high blood sugar.
There’s no cure for diabetes. But with the right care, you can manage it and live a healthy life.
There are different types of diabetes. Each type affects the body in a different way. Read on to learn more about diabetes, and how to manage it.
Types of diabetes
There are many types of diabetes. The most common are:
- Type 1: The body makes little or no insulin. It often starts in children or young adults.
- Type 2: The body does not respond to insulin the way it should. It’s much more common and mostly affects adults.
- Gestational diabetes: This type happens during pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at risk of getting diabetes later.
Some drugs can also affect insulin function and raise blood sugar. Steroids, statins and some antipsychotic medicines can have this affect. They can lead to short-term or permanent diabetes. If you take these medicines, your doctor may check your blood sugar more often.
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Risks and prevention
Anyone can get diabetes. But some people have a higher risk. Risk factors include:
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Being overweight
- Having diabetes during pregnancy
Healthy habits can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. These habits also help if you already have diabetes.
- Eat balanced meals and stay active most days. Even small changes can help over time.
- Get regular checkups and blood sugar tests to catch problems early. Early care makes diabetes easier to manage.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of diabetes come on slowly. Sometimes there are no signs at all. Common signs include:
- Feeling very thirsty
- Using the restroom a lot
- Tiredness
- Blurry vision
- Losing weight without trying
- Cuts that heal slowly
- Getting sick a lot
Talk to your doctor if you notice these symptoms in you or your child. They can do a simple test to check your blood sugar level.
Screening and prediabetes
Doctors recommend diabetes screening at certain ages. When to start screening depends on your risk level. Talk with your doctor about getting screened.
A blood test can also help find “prediabetes.” Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal. It doesn’t mean diabetes. Healthy changes can help bring your blood sugar back to normal and prevent it from turning into diabetes.
How to treat diabetes
You can manage diabetes with medicine and lifestyle changes. You and your doctor will work together to come up with a treatment plan that works for you.
Your doctor may also refer you to other providers to help with your care. Children with type 1 diabetes often work with a diabetes specialist called an endocrinologist.
Your plan may include any of these treatment options:
Medicines
There’s a good chance your doctor will prescribe medicine to help manage your blood sugar. Some common drugs include:
- Insulin: Mostly for people with type 1 diabetes, though some people with type 2 take it. It’s usually given as a shot or via a pump.
- Pills: Some medicines come as pills. They help lower blood sugar or improve how insulin works. These may include:
- Metformin: This helps lower your blood sugar. Some people also lose weight while taking it.
- Statins: If you are at risk for heart disease, your doctor may prescribe a statin. It can help lower your cholesterol.
- Non-insulin shots: These medicines help control blood sugar and may help with weight loss.
Lifestyle changes
You play a big role in managing your diabetes. Diet and exercise help improve blood sugar levels. These steps can help at home:
- Eating healthy foods
- Staying active
- Losing weight if you are overweight
- Checking your blood sugar regularly
- Taking your medicine the right way
See your doctor often to make sure your treatment plan is working. Speak up if anything isn’t working for you. Your care team is there to help come up with the best plan for you.
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Self-management
Managing diabetes takes daily care. Your care team can teach you the skills you need. You can also join a diabetes education (DSMES) program. Ask your doctor for help finding a program near you.
Regular checkups
Diabetes can raise your risk for other health problems. Over time, high blood sugar can hurt your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves and more.
Regular screenings can catch problems before you notice symptoms. When doctors find problems early, treatment works better. Early care can prevent serious damage.
If you have diabetes, talk to your provider about these tests and any others you may need:
- A1C test: Checks your average blood sugar over several months
- Eye exam: To check for damage to your retina
- Kidney tests: To make sure they are working like they should
- Cholesterol test: To check for heart disease risk
- Foot check: To check for nerve damage
Diabetes is common, but it’s manageable. Many people live long, healthy lives with the right care. Talk with your doctor about diabetes screening or treatment. Your Aetna Better Health plan is here to help.
See our sources
Diabetes basics: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Diabetes self-management and education support (DMES): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
