Is diabetes a risk factor for cardiovascular disease? Yes. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and blood vessel disease. Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke as adults without diabetes. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart. High blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, kidney disease, smoking, and excess weight can raise the risk even more. Having diabetes does not mean heart disease is certain. Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, physical activity, and tobacco use can lower the…
Author: M. D.
How does diabetes cause kidney disease? High blood sugar slowly damages the small blood vessels and filters inside the kidneys. This damage makes it harder for the kidneys to clean the blood and keep useful protein inside the body. High blood pressure, which is common in people with diabetes, can add more stress and speed up the damage. Kidney damage from diabetes usually develops over many years. Most people do not notice symptoms during the early stages. Regular urine and blood tests are the best way to find the problem before serious damage occurs. About 1 in 3 adults with…
Low blood sugar and low blood pressure symptoms can look similar because both may cause dizziness, weakness, confusion, blurred vision, sweating, or fainting. However, low blood sugar more often causes shaking, strong hunger, irritability, sweating, and a fast heartbeat. Low blood pressure is more likely to cause light headedness after standing, nausea, weakness, fainting, neck pain, or blurry vision. Symptoms alone cannot always tell you which problem is happening. Check your blood glucose if you have diabetes or take medicine that can lower it. Check your blood pressure if a monitor is available. Treat confirmed low blood sugar quickly, and…
Where is the best spot to inject insulin? For many people, the abdomen is the most practical choice because insulin is usually absorbed faster there than from the upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. It also provides a wide area that is easy to reach and rotate. However, the best site depends on your insulin type, body shape, daily routine, and instructions from your health care professional. You should inject insulin into the fatty layer under the skin, not into a muscle or vein. Rotate each injection within the same general body area and avoid skin that feels hard, swollen, bruised,…
What is glycemic control in type 2 diabetes? It means keeping blood sugar within a safe personal target as often as possible. Doctors measure it with A1C tests, daily glucose readings, and sometimes continuous glucose monitor data. Good control does not mean every reading must be perfect. It means reducing frequent high blood sugar while also avoiding dangerous low blood sugar. For many adults, the general A1C goal is below 7 percent, but the right target depends on age, health, medicine, and the risk of low blood sugar. 1. Understanding Glycemic Control Glycemic control describes how well a person manages…
Which type of diabetes is genetic? All major forms can involve genes, but they are not inherited in the same way. Type 2 diabetes has the strongest family link among common forms. Type 1 diabetes also has a genetic component, but it usually develops through a mix of inherited risk and an autoimmune reaction. Monogenic diabetes is the clearest genetic form because a change in one gene directly causes it. Gestational diabetes can also involve inherited risk, pregnancy hormones, health factors, and lifestyle. Family history raises risk, but it does not guarantee that you will develop diabetes. This guide explains…