What is Diabetes?
If you just found out you have diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions and you may feel a little uncertain.But you're not alone. In the United States, 23.6 million people have diabetes. Most of these people lead full, healthy lives. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn all you can about diabetes. This handout will tell you some of the basics about diabetes.
What is diabetes?
Your body changes most of the food you eat into glucose (a form of sugar). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter all the cells of your body and be used as energy.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person’s body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly. When you have diabetes, the sugar builds up in your blood instead of moving into the cells. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious problems, including heart disease and damage to the nerves and kidneys.
There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Between 90-95% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Return to topDiabetes is a disease that occurs when a person’s body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly. When you have diabetes, the sugar builds up in your blood instead of moving into the cells. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious problems, including heart disease and damage to the nerves and kidneys.
There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Between 90-95% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
How can I help myself stay healthy if I have diabetes?
Although diabetes can’t be cured, you can still live a long and healthy life. The single most important thing you can do is control your blood sugar level. You can do this by eating right, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and, if needed, taking oral medicines or insulin.
Eat a healthy diet. The recommended diet for many people who have diabetes is very similar to that suggested for everyone: low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in salt and low in added sugar. In order to help keep your blood sugar at a healthy level, t's important to eat at least 3 meals per day and never skip a meal. For more information, read our Diabetes and Nutrition handout.
Exercise. Exercising will help your body use insulin and lower your blood sugar level. It also helps control your weight, gives you more energy and is good for your overall health. For more information, read our Diabetes and Exercise handout.
Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy body weight will help you in 2 ways. First, it helps insulin work better in your body. Second, it will lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk for heart disease.
Take your medicine. If your diabetes can't be controlled with diet, exercise and weight control, your doctor may recommend medicine or insulin. Oral medicines (taken by mouth) can make your body produce more insulin or help your body use the insulin it makes more efficiently. Some people need to add insulin to their bodies with insulin injections, insulin pens or insulin pumps. Always take medicines exactly as your doctor prescribes. For more information, read our Oral Medicines for Diabetes handout.
Eat a healthy diet. The recommended diet for many people who have diabetes is very similar to that suggested for everyone: low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in salt and low in added sugar. In order to help keep your blood sugar at a healthy level, t's important to eat at least 3 meals per day and never skip a meal. For more information, read our Diabetes and Nutrition handout.
Exercise. Exercising will help your body use insulin and lower your blood sugar level. It also helps control your weight, gives you more energy and is good for your overall health. For more information, read our Diabetes and Exercise handout.
Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy body weight will help you in 2 ways. First, it helps insulin work better in your body. Second, it will lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk for heart disease.
Take your medicine. If your diabetes can't be controlled with diet, exercise and weight control, your doctor may recommend medicine or insulin. Oral medicines (taken by mouth) can make your body produce more insulin or help your body use the insulin it makes more efficiently. Some people need to add insulin to their bodies with insulin injections, insulin pens or insulin pumps. Always take medicines exactly as your doctor prescribes. For more information, read our Oral Medicines for Diabetes handout.
How do I check my blood sugar level?
Your doctor may suggest that you check your blood sugar level (also called blood glucose level) at home. Checking your blood sugar level involves pricking your finger to get a small drop of blood that you put on a test strip. You can read the results yourself or insert the strip into a machine called an electronic glucose meter. The results will tell you whether or not your blood sugar is in a healthy range. To learn more, read our Monitoring Your Blood Sugar Level handout.
Check your blood sugar level as often as your doctor suggests. You may need to check it more often at first, until you get the feel for how it changes and what makes it change.
Check your blood sugar level as often as your doctor suggests. You may need to check it more often at first, until you get the feel for how it changes and what makes it change.
What if my blood sugar gets too low?
People who have diabetes may have times when their blood sugar level is too low. Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. Signs of hypoglycemia include the following:
- Feeling very tired
- Frequent yawning
- Being unable to speak or think clearly
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Sweating
- Twitching
- Seizures
- Suddenly feeling like you’re going to pass out
- Becoming very pale
- Loss of consciousness
People who have diabetes should carry at least 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate with them at all times in case of hypoglycemia. The following are examples of quick sources of energy that can relieve the symptoms:
- Nondiet soda- ½ to ¾ cup
- Fruit juice- ½ cup
- Fruit- 2 tablespoons of raisins
- Milk- 1 cup
- Candy- 5 Lifesavers
- Glucose tablets- 3 tablets (5 grams each)
If you don’t feel better 15 minutes after having a fast-acting carbohydrate, or if monitoring shows that your blood sugar level is still too low, have another 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Return to topWhat health problems can diabetes cause?
Diabetes can be a dangerous and life-threatening disease if you don’t control your blood sugar level. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage your eyes, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. Here are some of the problems (also called complications) diabetes can cause:
Blindness and vision loss (called diabetic retinopathy): Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, which can cause vision loss and even blindness. For more information, read our Diabetes: Eye Care handout.
Heart disease: People who have diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease and damage to the blood vessels in the heart. This increases their risk of heart attack and stroke. For more information, read our Diabetes and Heart Disease handout.
Nerve and blood vessel damage (called diabetic neuropathy): Damage to blood vessels in the legs can limit the supply of blood to the nerves in the legs and feet. This can cause burning, tingling and numbness in the affected areas (usually starting in the toes and spreading to the whole foot). It also makes it difficult to feel injuries (such as foot sores). Damage to the blood vessels can also put you at risk for infections and sores that don’t heal. In severe cases, parts of the foot or lower leg may have to be amputated (removed). For more information, read our Diabetic Neuropathy handout.
Kidney disease (called diabetic nephropathy): Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, which then can’t filter out the body’s waste. In some people, the kidneys stop working completely. These people require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis is a treatment that eliminates wastes in the blood. For more information, please read our Diabetic Nephropathy handout.
The good news is that diabetic complications can often be prevented by taking care of yourself, following your doctor’s orders and controlling your blood sugar level. For more information on how to prevent these problems, please read our Preventing Diabetic Complications handout.
Return to topBlindness and vision loss (called diabetic retinopathy): Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, which can cause vision loss and even blindness. For more information, read our Diabetes: Eye Care handout.
Heart disease: People who have diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease and damage to the blood vessels in the heart. This increases their risk of heart attack and stroke. For more information, read our Diabetes and Heart Disease handout.
Nerve and blood vessel damage (called diabetic neuropathy): Damage to blood vessels in the legs can limit the supply of blood to the nerves in the legs and feet. This can cause burning, tingling and numbness in the affected areas (usually starting in the toes and spreading to the whole foot). It also makes it difficult to feel injuries (such as foot sores). Damage to the blood vessels can also put you at risk for infections and sores that don’t heal. In severe cases, parts of the foot or lower leg may have to be amputated (removed). For more information, read our Diabetic Neuropathy handout.
Kidney disease (called diabetic nephropathy): Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, which then can’t filter out the body’s waste. In some people, the kidneys stop working completely. These people require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis is a treatment that eliminates wastes in the blood. For more information, please read our Diabetic Nephropathy handout.
The good news is that diabetic complications can often be prevented by taking care of yourself, following your doctor’s orders and controlling your blood sugar level. For more information on how to prevent these problems, please read our Preventing Diabetic Complications handout.
The link to the left takes you to the digital edition of FamilyDoctor: Living with Diabetes, part of the brand new patient education series brought to you by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Type 1 Diabetes
What is diabetes? What is type 1 diabetes?
Your body changes carbohydrates in the food you eat into glucose (a form of sugar). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter all the cells of your body and be used as energy.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person's body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use insulin properly. When you have diabetes, the sugar builds up in your blood instead of moving into the cells. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and damage to the nerves and kidneys.
There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Between 90-95% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it is usually discovered in children and teenagers, but adults may also have it.
Return to topDiabetes is a disease that occurs when a person's body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use insulin properly. When you have diabetes, the sugar builds up in your blood instead of moving into the cells. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and damage to the nerves and kidneys.
There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Between 90-95% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it is usually discovered in children and teenagers, but adults may also have it.
What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
- Extreme hunger
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Blurry vision
What problems can type 1 diabetes cause?
People who have type 1 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve damage and gum disease. These conditions are much more likely to occur in people who have diabetes than in people who do not. When you have type 1 diabetes, blood may not move as well through your legs and feet. If you don't get proper treatment, severe nerve damage can occur and lead to amputation (removal) of your feet. Untreated type 1 diabetes can cause a person to go into a coma. It can even kill you. The good news is that treatment and lifestyle changes can help prevent these problems.
Return to topHow can these problems be prevented?
To help prevent these problems, follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. A healthy diet is key to controlling your blood sugar. Exercise helps move the sugar from your blood into your cells.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions for taking your insulin. Don't smoke. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels. If you do all of these things, you can greatly reduce your risk of complications.
Return to topCarefully follow your doctor's instructions for taking your insulin. Don't smoke. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels. If you do all of these things, you can greatly reduce your risk of complications.
What should I eat?
The best diet for people who have type 1 diabetes is a diet that is also healthy for everyone: low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in salt and low in added sugars. It includes lots of complex carbohydrates (such as whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta), fruits and vegetables. This type of diet will help you control your blood sugar level, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It's also important to watch your portion size so you can control your blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight.
Return to topHow do I control my blood sugar level?
People who have type 1 diabetes take insulin to keep their blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. There are several types of insulin. These are listed below. You and your doctor will decide which type of insulin (or combination of insulin) is right for you.
- Rapid-acting insulin (such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart and insulin glulisine) starts working in 5 to 15 minutes. Insulin lispro and insulin aspart last 2 to 5 hours. Insulin glulisine lasts for 60 to 90 minutes.
- Short-acting insulin (such as regular insulin) starts working in 30 to 60 minutes and lasts about 8 to 12 hours.
- Intermediate-acting insulin (such as insulin NPH) starts working in 60 to 90 minutes and lasts up to 24 hours.
- Long-acting insulin (such as insulin glargine and insulin detemir) starts working within 1 to 2 hours and lasts up to 24 hours.
- Premixed insulin is a combination of 2 types of insulin (usually a rapid- or short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin).
The best way to monitor your blood sugar is to test it often. In order to do this, you will prick your finger to get a small drop of blood that you put on a test strip. You can read the results yourself or insert the strip into a machine called an electronic glucose meter. The results will tell you whether or not your blood sugar is in a healthy range.
In order to keep blood sugar in a healthy range, most people who have type 1 diabetes take insulin before each meal and also before going to sleep each night. Your doctor will work with you to determine the right amount of insulin and when to take each dose.
Return to topIn order to keep blood sugar in a healthy range, most people who have type 1 diabetes take insulin before each meal and also before going to sleep each night. Your doctor will work with you to determine the right amount of insulin and when to take each dose.
How will I know if my blood sugar level is too high?
High blood sugar (also called hyperglycemia) can occur even if you are eating properly and taking your insulin correctly. Eating too much food at a meal, getting sick, having hormonal changes and feeling stressed out can affect your blood sugar.
Symptoms of hyperglycemia include the following:
Symptoms of hyperglycemia include the following:
What should I do if my blood sugar level is too high?
If your blood sugar level goes higher than it should, you may need to take an extra dose of rapid- or short-acting insulin to return your blood sugar to the normal range. Your doctor can tell you how much insulin you need to take to lower your blood sugar level.
Return to topWhat are the signs of low blood sugar?
People who take insulin may have times when their blood sugar level is too low. Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. Signs of hypoglycemia include the following:
- Feeling very tired
- Frequent yawning
- Being unable to speak or think clearly
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Sweating
- Twitching
- Seizures
- Suddenly feeling like you're going to pass out
- Becoming very pale
- Loss of consciousness
People who have diabetes should carry at least 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate with them at all times in case of hypoglycemia. The following are examples of quick sources of energy that can relieve the symptoms:
- Nondiet soda: ½ to ¾ cup
- Fruit juice: ½ cup
- Fruit: 2 tablespoons of raisins
- Milk: 1 cup
- Candy: 5 Lifesavers
- Glucose tablets: 3 tablets (5 grams each)
If you don't feel better 15 minutes after having a fast-acting carbohydrate, or if monitoring shows that your blood sugar level is still too low, have another 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Teach your friends, work colleagues and family members how to treat hypoglycemia, because sometimes you may need their help. Also, keep a supply of glucagon on hand. Glucagon comes in a kit with a powder and a liquid that must be mixed together and then injected (given as a shot). It will raise your blood sugar level. If you are unconscious, or you can't eat or drink, another person can give you a shot of glucagon. This will bring your blood sugar level back to normal.
Return to topTeach your friends, work colleagues and family members how to treat hypoglycemia, because sometimes you may need their help. Also, keep a supply of glucagon on hand. Glucagon comes in a kit with a powder and a liquid that must be mixed together and then injected (given as a shot). It will raise your blood sugar level. If you are unconscious, or you can't eat or drink, another person can give you a shot of glucagon. This will bring your blood sugar level back to normal.
How else can I prevent complications with my diabetes?
The following tips can help you stay healthy if you have type 1 diabetes:
- Keep your blood pressure at a healthy level (below 130/80 mm Hg).
- Maintain a healthy cholesterol level (under 200 mg).
- Take care of your feet and check them every day for signs of injury and infection.
- Have an eye exam every year to check your vision.
- See your dentist twice a year to check your teeth and guns.
- Stay up-to-date on your immunizations. Get a flu shot each year and a tetanus booster every 10 years.
- Don't smoke.
- Manage your stress.
Can I live a normal life with diabetes?
Yes, you can live a normal life. You can stay healthy if you do what it takes to control your diabetes.
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