Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes Facts: At a Glance
Here are a few facts to help answer some of the questions you may have since you've been
told you have diabetes. On the following pages you will find more detailed information
that may be useful to you.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body isn't able to take the glucose
(sugar) from your bloodstream and carry it to your body cells where it can be used
for energy. The glucose level builds up and causes "high blood sugar." This high
level of glucose often has no symptoms but can cause you to feel tired, make your
vision blurry or cause you to feel thirsty or urinate more frequently. Unexplained
weight loss can also occur. The symptoms you have will depend on the type of
diabetes that you have.
How did I get diabetes?
You can be at risk for diabetes from a number of things: family history, inactivity
and obesity, ethnicity including African American, Asian American, Latino, Native American
or a Pacific Islander, having a baby over 9 lbs. or having gestational diabetes (diabetes of
pregnancy). You may also have a genetic predisposition to diabetes.
Should I be worried?
If the high blood glucose levels that come with diabetes are not controlled, a number of
other health issues can occur. Diabetes can affect your eyes, nerve cells, blood vessels
and kidneys and also put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. It can cause wounds to
heal more slowly and put you at a higher risk of getting an infection. Diabetes can also
have an effect on your gums and make you more likely to have dental problems. Controlling
your blood glucose today can help to prevent or delay problems in the future.
What can I do?
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how to manage your diabetes day-to-day. Getting medical care on a regular basis along with good self-management skills can decrease your risk for other health problems and help to keep your blood glucose in a good range. There are a number of ways to keep in control with diabetes, including following a meal plan, checking your blood glucose levels, staying or becoming active, getting regular check-ups and taking medications, if necessary.
FACT
Remember that you are not alone. Approximately 23.6 million
people in the United States have diabetes and about 5.7 million don't even know
that they have it.
Let’s Take a Closer Look
Diabetes
Let's look at what happens when we eat. All of the food we take in turns, in some portion, to
glucose (sugar). This glucose enters the bloodstream and travels to the cells. Each cell has
doors or receptors through which the glucose can enter, but it can't do it alone. An organ
called the pancreas plays a very important role. The pancreas senses when the blood glucose goes
up after the meal and sends out a substance called insulin. The insulin travels to the cells where
it helps the glucose enter through the doors or receptors. The glucose hitches a ride, so to speak.
Once the glucose has entered the cells it is used to produce energy. If the glucose can't enter
the cells, it stays in the blood causing high blood glucose (sugar) to occur.
Type 1 Diabetes
This type of diabetes accounts for about one out of every ten people with diabetes.
You may recognize it by its former name, juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes. Although seen more commonly in younger people, type 1 diabetes can happen at any age
In those with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin, the substance that helps move blood glucose from the blood into the cells. Although the exact cause of this is unknown, it is believed that a virus, infection or genetic factor may cause the body to attack the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This is called an autoimmune response. Without insulin to help move the glucose into the cells, it builds up in the blood and causes high blood glucose levels.
Type 2 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is the most common and affects about 90% of the population with diabetes.
It used to be known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, a
combination of things may happen that cause blood glucose levels to be high.
- The glucose may not be able to enter the cells even though there is enough insulin produced. This is called insulin resistance.
- The pancreas does not make enough insulin to overcome the resistance. This is called insulin deficiency.
Comparison of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
| Type 1 | Type 2 |
- usually a sudden onset
- unexplained rapid weight loss
- increase in thirst and urination
- increase in appetite
- very tired or fatigued
- nausea or vomiting
- must take insulin injections or use an insulin pump
|
- may have no symptoms at all
- gradual onset
- increase in thirst and urination
- increased appetite
- fatigue
- slow healing cuts
- frequent infections
- blurred vision
- may be treated with meal planning, increase in activity level and medication or a combination of these
|
Diagnosis
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes may be diagnosed in the following ways:
- A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above at any time of the day without regard to the time of the last meal
- A fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or above. Fasting means no food or drink (except water) for 8 hours prior to the test.
The test should be checked twice to confirm the diagnosis.
TIP
Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to learn more about
diabetes. Working with a dietitian and a diabetes nurse educator are steps you can
take in learning the skills that will help you care for your diabetes on a day-to-day
basis. Caring for diabetes takes a team effort and you are the most important part of
the team.
The information presented here is meant to be strictly for informational and educational
purposes. It is not to be considered as advice, including medical advice, from Liberty
Medical Supply, Inc. None of the information is intended to serve as a substitute for
diagnosis from, or consultation with, a health care professional. Always consult your
doctor regarding any medical questions that you have, as well as before starting or
changing your exercise or diet program, and before adjusting any medication.
†
Meter offer available to qualified beneficiaries with diabetes. Not available to current Liberty
patients. No purchase necessary. Meter shown for illustrative purposes only. Meter offer not
applicable to all brands of meter. Commemorative keychain offer and free HealthMatters subscription dependent
on patient enrollment. Combined offer available while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply.
* Up to 90 days from shipment (a longer period may apply based on law or regulation). Some
restrictions apply. We are unable to accept returns of properly filled prescriptions.
