What is diabetes?
ANSWER: Diabetes is a disease that causes an abnormally high level of sugar, or glucose, to build up in the blood because the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert glucose (sugar), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Back to top
What is type 1 diabetes?
ANSWER: Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was once known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that helps take blood sugar into the body’s cells for energy.
Back to top
What is hypoglycemia?
ANSWER: Hypoglycemia occurs when a person’s blood sugar drops very low due to taking too much insulin, excessive physical activity, skipping meals or snacks, or eating too little food. Glucagon is a hormone that the body secretes rapidly in response to hypoglycemia. However, for a person who has diabetes, this glucagon response is reduced or completely absent.
Back to top
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
ANSWER: Some symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or want to discuss your health concerns, contact your physician.
Back to top
My doctor said I am "insulin resistant." Does that mean I have diabetes?
ANSWER: After food is digested, insulin and blood sugar enter your bloodstream. Often with type 2 diabetes, the body's cells don't respond to the body's own natural insulin. The pancreas is producing the insulin, but the cells are not allowing the insulin to let the sugar in, so there is nowhere for the sugar to go. This leads to an unhealthy buildup of sugar in the blood. In people without insulin resistance, insulin allows sugar to enter the body's muscle, fat and liver cells easily and efficiently. Consult your doctor to discuss your individual situation.
Back to top
What is type 2 diabetes?
ANSWER: Type 2 diabetes is a disease marked by a consistently high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is the most common form of diabetes, and according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 16 million Americans have type 2 diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin (also called insulin resistance). Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose/sugar, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, cells may be starved for energy and, over time, high blood glucose levels may damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Contact your doctor regarding any concerns you may have.
Back to top
Is there such a thing as "pre-diabetes"?
ANSWER: Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Diabetes is defined as having a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or greater on two separate occasions. Fasting blood sugars are when you do not eat anything for a predetermined number of hours before the blood sugar test.
People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes unless they adopt a healthier lifestyle that includes weight loss and more physical activity.
In general, people who have a fasting blood glucose in the 100-125 mg/dl range are defined as having impaired fasting glucose. If a person takes an oral glucose tolerance test, and at two hours their blood glucose is 140-199 mg/dl, it may indicate impaired glucose tolerance (what may be referred to as "pre-diabetes"). It is best to ask your doctor what your exact blood sugar test results are when he tells you that you have pre-diabetes.
Back to top
|
|
|
|