Diabetes is considered an epidemic in the U.S. with more than 38 million Americans living with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to process sugar in food, resulting in dangerous levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce insulin on its own to regulate blood glucose. This condition requires daily insulin injections to maintain safe blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition with no cure.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body’s insulin recognition system is not functioning properly, says Dr. Shelby McGee, a resident at Tidelands Health Family Medicine at Holmestown Road.

“This may be due to chronic weight gain or overexposure to foods high in sugar or other carbohydrates,” she says.

If severe, doctors prescribe insulin for type 2 diabetes. Often, though, a variety of non-insulin medicines and lifestyle changes can be used to control type 2 diabetes and put it in remission.

The third type of diabetes is called gestational diabetes because it occurs during pregnancy. Usually, gestational diabetes goes away once the baby is born.

Over time, poorly controlled diabetes can cause complications including coronary artery and kidney diseases, blindness and peripheral neuropathy – reduced circulation in the extremities that causes pain, numbness and tissue damage.

People with diabetes have at least double the risk of heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death for diabetics, according to the American Diabetes Association. 

“The reason we treat diabetes is to prevent these complications,” Dr. McGee says.

She offers these tips to help manage your diabetes:

Dr. McGee suggests working closely with your doctor or endocrinologist to control your glucose levels. Getting screened for the various complications from diabetes also is encouraged.

Your provider will outline an appropriate treatment plan, give you a physical exam and check your blood work. Working with a diabetic nutritionist or dietitian can also help with planning and preparing low carbohydrate meals.

Patients living with diabetes may need to check their blood sugar as often as three times a day to stay on top of changing blood glucose levels.

There are also continuous glucose monitors available to give patients a constant blood sugar reading.

“These are also nice for patients because they can avoid the painful finger pricks if checking their blood sugar levels multiple times a day,” Dr. McGee says.

Additionally, have your A1C checked every three to six months. This blood test shows your blood sugar trend over a longer period and can indicate if medicines need to be adjusted.

Because diabetes is a metabolic disease, a healthy diet is key.

“Having a low-carbohydrate diet is important in managing diabetes,” Dr. McGee says.

Consider eating foods with protein, fruits and vegetables daily. Limit foods heavy in sugar such as candies, desserts, crackers, sugary beverages, sugary cereals and processed breads. Given the risk for heart and arterial disease, you should also limit butters, fried foods, fatty foods and cheeses.

Exercise is also important, not only to burn calories but to manage stress and support good mental health, Dr. McGee says. For general health, the CDC recommends adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. This includes brisk walking, cycling, biking, mowing the lawn and swimming. For optimal health, it is recommended to strength train, or lift weights, at least two times a week.

“If patients are stressed or are dealing with uncontrolled depression, for example, they may not have the motivation or energy to focus on eating well or taking their prescribed medications, causing the blood glucose levels to rise or fall outside of the desired levels,” Dr. McGee says.

Dr. McGee says regular exercise also gives you endurance, confidence and endorphins to relieve your worries.