Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease caused by your body having problems with insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas so you can maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or your body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects, diabetes is the result.

Fluctuating blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and organs throughout the body. Diabetes increases your risk of serious health issues, including:

• Diabetic retinopathy (eye damage)
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage)
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke

Type 1 diabetes develops if the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Symptoms most often arise in childhood or early adulthood, and patients must inject themselves with insulin to keep their blood sugar stable. In people with Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin for correct functioning, or the body becomes resistant to insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is typically due to excess body weight and eating a diet high in fat and sugar. Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1, with more than 18 million Americans being affected.

Is diabetes preventable?

You can’t prevent Type 1 diabetes because it’s caused by a problem with your immune system. This dysfunction makes the body attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as though they were invading germs.

Type 2 diabetes is most often entirely preventable. You need to follow a healthy lifestyle, with weight loss being the most critical factor — losing 7% of your body weight significantly reduces your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Cut out fat and excess calories and stick to established healthy eating plans rather than fad diets. Eat plenty of whole foods and fresh fruit and vegetables and aim to exercise for at least two to three hours every week.

What treatments help with diabetes?

The same healthy lifestyle changes that prevent diabetes also help improve your health after a diagnosis. The Transcend Total Body Rejuvenation weight loss and health coaching experts can develop a diet and exercise plan to meet your needs and increase your likelihood of successfully reaching your healthy living goals. They offer weight loss medications, nutrition counseling, and more.

Type 1 diabetes patients must have insulin injections to control their blood sugar or use an insulin pump. Those with more severe Type 2 diabetes might need medications like metformin or insulin. 

The Transcend Total Body Rejuvenation team provides comprehensive insulin resistance treatment and advice in addition to treating diabetes.

Call Transcend Total Body Rejuvenation for a complete support program to help you manage your diabetes. You can also arrange a consultation online at any time.