e due to body fat around the middle
- high levels of triglycerides in the blood
Risk factors for diabetes and other aspects of metabolic syndrome include low physical activity and excess weight.
Diabetes can affect a person’s mental health in
- concerns about treatment, health, and possible complications that can give rise to stress, anxiety, and depression
- concerns about the cost of treatment and whether or not they are getting it right, especially if symptoms change
- mood disorders that make it difficult for a person to keep a healthy lifestyle
Learning as much as possible about diabetes can help reduce stress. The more a person knows about their condition, the more control they will feel they have over their diabetes and its treatment.
Knowing what to do in each situation can boost a person’s confidence and leave them feeling better overall.
Working with a healthcare professional can help to minimize these problems. A doctor or counselor can help make a plan to reduce the risk of mental health problems.
The following are answers to some common questions about diabetes.
How do I reduce the risk of diabetes complications?
The longer a person has diabetes, the
Ways to minimize the risks include:
- managing blood sugar levels through insulin use or medication
- boosting overall health with lifestyle measures, such as having a healthful diet, exercising, and managing blood glucose
- following the treatment plan that the doctor recommends
What are the first signs of diabetes?
Early signs of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, fatigue, and numbness in the hands or feet.
What is gestational diabetes?
This is another type of diabetes that only develops during pregnancy. Hormones from the placenta prevent the insulin in the body from properly storing glucose and the body does not make enough insulin to counteract this. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery.
Diabetes occurs when a person’s blood sugar levels become too high. In time, high blood sugar levels can affect all parts of the body and result in several complications, some of which can be serious.
In the short term, a person with high blood glucose levels will notice that they feel thirsty and need to urinate frequently. If this happens, they should see a doctor whether or not they have a diagnosis of diabetes.
Without treatment, diabetes can lead to confusion and possibly a loss of consciousness, coma, and death.
In the long term, diabetes increases the risk of damage to blood vessels and nerves, resulting in a wide range of complications. All forms of diabetes can disrupt daily life, but a person who manages their blood sugar levels well has a good chance of living a full and active life.