Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease. Both diabetes and heart disease have very similar conditions, including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, obesity, lack of physical activity, or high blood sugar. These conditions can cause arteries to harden and can eventually block blood flow to the brain or heart. The blockage of blood flow to the heart is what causes a heart attack.
The signs and symptoms for diabetes vary depending on how much a person’s blood sugar is elevated. Talk to your Banner Health professional immediately if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. Common type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms include:
Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is caused by several factors, including genetics and lifestyle factors. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. The following are risk factors for type 1 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Although researchers have yet to understand why some people develop type 2 diabetes, these are some of the common risk factors:
Diabetes needs to be treated with the help of a doctor. The experts at Banner Health can help you build a treatment plan that is right for you. Depending on the severity of your diabetes, you may also need to see other healthcare professionals, including a foot doctor, eye doctor, endocrinologist, or nutritionist.
Having diabetes requires maintaining your blood sugar levels at an appropriate level set by your Banner Health doctor. Blood sugar levels can be maintained with a combination of exercise, diet and medications.
Although the cause for type 1 diabetes is unknown, you can reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes by:
If you’re not sure where to start with diabetes prevention, our expert staff at Banner Health can help guide you towards the right lifestyle changes for you.
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