Diabetes is a condition characterized by high levels of blood sugar. There are two main types of diabetes –Type 1 and type 2. The most common diagnostic measure for diabetes is the HbA1c test, which measures levels of glycated haemoglobin in your blood to indicate how much sugar has built up over time. A high HbA1c level indicates that you have too much sugar in your blood, putting you at increased risk of developing complications such as eye and foot problems. If you have diabetes, it is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your condition and prevent these complications from developing.
The incidence of Diabetes is increasing because of the global rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Diabetes is a serious condition that requires careful management and monitoring, but by making healthy lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight, you can effectively manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of complications. Risk factors for developing Diabetes include:
– Increasing age
– Obesity
– Sedentary lifestyle
– Family history of Diabetes.If you are at risk for diabetes, it is important to work closely with your GP and a Specialist if needed to manage your condition and safeguard your health. By making healthy lifestyle choices and implementing effective disease management strategies, you can effectively manage your diabetes and prevent complications from developing.
How is Diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed when a person has high levels of sugar in their blood. The most common way to diagnose diabetes is with the HbA1c test, which measures levels of glycated haemoglobin in your blood to indicate how much sugar has built up over time. A high HbA1c level indicates that you have too much sugar in your blood.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells of the pancreas, which produce insulin. This form of diabetes typically develops in childhood or adolescence, but it can also develop in adulthood. People with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to control their blood sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and it occurs when the body does not use insulin properly or does not make enough insulin. This form of diabetes typically develops in adulthood, but it is now increasingly seen in children and adolescents as a result of the global rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Type 2 diabetes can be managed through lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. In some cases, people with type 2 diabetes may also need to take medication to control.
Can you reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
There is currently no cure for diabetes, but it is possible to manage the condition and prevent complications by adopting a healthy lifestyle and sticking to a treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider. While there are certain factors that may make
it more challenging to control blood sugar levels, such as age or family history of Diabetes, research has shown that making healthy lifestyle choices can greatly improve overall metabolic health and reduce the risk of Diabetes complications in both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes. There is a clear role for Functional Medicine in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and we have had some patients who have completed reversed their Diabetes and High Blood Pressure with a Lifestyle Medicine Approach. It is important to work with not only the GP Team but also a Nutritional Therapist as without Nutrition advice and a clear plan, exercise and weight management alone can be not only challenging but less likely to succeed. We know that Diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, moderate in alcohol consumption, and lower in refined grains, red/processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages have demonstrated to reduce diabetes risk and improve glycaemic control and blood lipids in patients with diabetes. A health screen can be a perfect way of not only screening for Diabetes but also for many other common and potentially serious disease. Our health screens are very comprehensive and our platinum screen uses the latest biomarker blood testing which looks at body systems in detail.
Being a member of Shilpa Dave Health allows us to check and screen you regularly for conditions like diabetes high blood pressure and for serious conditions like cancer. Our lifestyle medicine approach can help prevent you contracting these conditions in the first place and staying well For more information please call us on 02033030326
Dr Shilpa Dave Director Shilpa Dave Health