Diabetes is a type of metabolic disease that causes high levels of blood sugar. Also known as diabetes mellitus, this disease has become prevalent. Naturally, the insulin hormone transports sugar from the blood into body cells to be used for energy or stored. However, when you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or does not use the available insulin effectively. Diabetes poses a lot of danger if left untreated. For instance, it can damage your eyes, nerves, kidneys, and several other organs.
Types of Diabetes
Below are the different types of diabetes:
Type 1:
This is an autoimmune disease. It is a kind of diabetes where the body’s immune system attacks the pancreas and destroys the cells responsible for making insulin. The cause of these attacks hasn’t been established yet. Out of the total number of diabetic people, about 10% have this type.
Type 2 :
This type of diabetes is caused by your body becoming resistant to insulin. As a result, sugar levels increase in your blood. Type 2 diabetes is prevalent among men.
Prediabetes:
It is a type of diabetes that occurs when an individual’s sugar level surpasses the normal levels but not too high for a type 2 diagnosis. This type of diabetes is not so common.
Gestational diabetes:
This is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women. It results in high sugar levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is caused by insulin-blocking hormones created in the placenta.
It is also crucial to note that diabetes insipidus, a sporadic condition, is not related to diabetes mellitus. The only similarity is that they have the same name! Diabetes insipidus is a condition that makes your kidneys eject too many fluids from your system.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Every type of diabetes has a unique set of symptoms. This section discusses the general signs of diabetes and the unique symptoms in men and women.
Diabetes has the following general symptoms:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
Symptoms in Men
These are the common symptoms associated with diabetes in men:
Erectile dysfunction
Commonly referred to as ED, erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain or achieve an erection. Diabetes increases the chances of getting ED in men. In fact, according to recent studies, half of the men diagnosed with diabetes have erectile dysfunction. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, chances are you have diabetes.
Damaged Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Diabetes can affect the ANS, leading to sexual related problems. What does the ANS do? This system plays an essential role by controlling the constricting or widening of blood vessels. When the nerves and blood vessels in your penis are affected by diabetes, you can experience ED.
Retrograde ejaculation
If you have diabetes, you can also experience retrograde ejaculation. The result of retrograde ejaculation is semen being released into the bladder. Less semen released during ejaculation is the common symptom of this condition.
Symptoms in Women
In women, diabetes symptoms are also very prominent. Some of the most common symptoms include yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and dry, itchy skin.
Causes of Diabetes
Each type of diabetes is associated with different causes.
Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
Surprisingly, doctors have not discovered the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes. However, it is believed that the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas and destroys beta cells that produce insulin. The genes of a person are also considered to play a role in the cause of diabetes.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is caused by a combination of lifestyle factors and genetic structure. For instance, being obese or overweight increases the risk of having diabetes. The reason behind it is that when you carry extra weight, especially around your tummy, it makes cells more resistant to insulin effects on sugar levels.
Besides, it is a condition that runs in families. Siblings or family members might share genes that make them more vulnerable to type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Importance of Blood Sugar Monitoring & Log
One of the most effective ways diabetic people learn more about their condition is regular glucose monitoring. Knowing your blood glucose levels is crucial, especially when making critical decisions about diet, exercise, and medication dosage. It will be of great importance not only to you but also to your healthcare team.
Routinely checking your blood sugar levels makes it possible for you to know when blood sugar is too high or too low — both of which can cause serious health problems. Doctors calculate the target range for blood glucose based on the type of diabetes you have, your general health, your age, and other factors. It is, therefore, essential to maintain your glucose levels within the recommended range.
The key to a successful battle against diabetes is keeping track of your sugar levels. Keeping a daily log of your blood sugars is very important. A blood sugar log helps you keep track of your sugar levels over a certain period. You need to know the state of sugar levels in your body at different times of the day, week, or month.
Contents of a Blood Sugar Log Sheet
A blood sugar template is a key to monitoring blood sugar levels. There are different types of templates. Generally, blood sugar templates are meant to keep all the information regarding your sugar levels. They have several rows and columns with blanks to fill in the necessary information. Furthermore, they are partitioned in a way that you can fill in the daily, weekly, or monthly sugar levels.
Free Blood Sugar Log Templates
Our blood glucose log templates will help you to document your daily levels by time of day, along with any relevant notes. You can easily download, print, or update them on your computer for easy record keeping!
Conclusion
Diabetes is a common disease that can be managed. Apart from medication and keeping a healthy lifestyle, having a blood sugar log can significantly improve your position against the disease. Use our easy to download blood sugar templates to keep a record of your blood level.
