November is National Diabetes Month. This is in honor of Nov. 14, which is the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting who discovered insulin in 1921. It is a time every year to spread awareness about a very common chronic condition. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 9.3% of the US population has diabetes, and of that over 95% have type 2 diabetes.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin want to highlight the importance of diabetes education and management for Diabetes Awareness Month. In this post, you will learn some basic facts about diabetes, and also why diabetes are linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD). You will also learn the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Hopefully, you can improve your life style and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition where the body is unable to control high levels of glucose i.e. blood sugar. When there’s an excess of glucose in the blood, it can cause you to lose too much water from your body and lead to an array of symptoms like increased thirst, excessive fatigue, quick and unexplained weight loss, and the frequent urge to go to the bathroom, also known as hyperglycemia.

It can be difficult to determine the differences between type 1 and 2 diabetes for those whom are not aware of what the disease is and what it does to the body.

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease that causes the immune system to attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is commonly seen and diagnosed in children around the age of adolescence. Insulin is used to help our bodies absorb glucose into our muscles, a necessary nutrient for maintaining optimum health. Those with type 1 diabetes have to take external insulin injections to regulate their blood sugar levels.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps the body to take up sugar, or glucose, from the blood into the cells and use it for energy. Without daily insulin, children with type 1 diabetes can experience damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and circulatory system. For type 1 diabetes, it’s important to get help immediately, because the onset is rapid.

Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured or prevented by diet or exercise. Rather, there may be a genetic link in some families that cause the autoimmune system to attack and destroy insulin-producing cells. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown.

• Genetic factors that affect your body’s ability to produce or utilize insulin
• Family history of type 1 diabetes
• Exposure to childhood infections such as the mumps
• Medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis

Type 2 diabetes can also be caused by someone inheriting a gene that makes them more susceptible to developing it. However, in most cases it’s caused by a combination of poor lifestyle factors like chronic inactivity, obesity, and excessive sitting. People with type 2 diabetes do produce insulin, however it may be in insufficient amounts or their body doesn’t utilize it properly, also known as insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes has increased in recent years among children and adolescents. In type 2 diabetes, the body produces insulin but is resistant to its effects. Without enough insulin available to move sugar, or glucose, from the blood into cells for energy, blood sugar levels rise and we see the classic symptoms of diabetes. Disease drivers include declining physical activity and rising obesity. Healthy lifestyle changes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. As in type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can damage the eyes, heart, nerves, kidneys and more.

• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• Living a sedentary lifestyle
• Some medications such as anti-seizure drugs
• Current or former smoker
• Obesity

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes because it is a flaw in the function of the immune system. Type 2 diabetes is preventable when the necessary healthy steps are taken. Some people affected by type 2 diabetes may find that they don’t need to take insulin or test their blood sugar levels if they maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising, losing weight and eating healthy foods. Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of amputation. It is important to notify your doctor if you notice slow or non-healing wounds on your legs or feet.

The most common symptoms of both types are quite similar. Diabetes symptoms typically appear fairly quickly, within the span of a few weeks or months. Symptoms include:

• increased thirst
• increased urination
• weight loss
• increased appetite
• dehydration
• blurred vision
• persistent nausea and vomiting
• abdominal pain
• excess drowsiness or fatigue
• irritability and mood changes
• yeast infections for girls

Not only do people with diabetes have to actively manage their blood sugar levels, but they also have to be aware of a condition known as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). In fact, the American Diabetes Association states that 1 in 3 people with diabetes over the age of 50 has PAD. Peripheral artery disease occurs when arteries located within the lower extremities become either partially or fully blocked by plaque buildup. Left untreated, PAD can cause critical limb ischemia (CLI) which can lead to amputation.

Many people with PAD will not experience any symptoms; however some, may experience pain in the leg, thigh, calf, or buttocks. This pain may make climbing stairs, walking long distances, or standing for an extended amount of time close to impossible. PAD only get worse over time, so it is crucial that it is diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Preventing type 2 diabetes is important as cases continue to rise among children and adults. Factors that increase the chance of diabetes onset include inactivity, obesity or a family history of type 2 diabetes. To help lower the risk, lifestyle matters. Healthy lifestyle behaviors include:

• Eat healthy foods most of the time.
• Avoid overeating.
• Seek out whole fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid processed foods and snacks.
• Increase physical activity, ideally 30 minutes five days a week.
• Drink water instead of juice or soda.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you have circulation problem related to your arteries or veins and would like to seek consultation with a vascular surgeon, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more information.