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Last Updated: Aug 6th, 2008 - 09:50:39 |
Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2
Your doctor says you have diabetes. This guide will help you learn how to take care of your diabetes and how to prevent some of the serious problems that diabetes can cause. We wrote this guide with help from people like you, people who have diabetes and wanted more information about it. We hope Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 will answer many of your questions. You may want to share this resource with your family and friends so that they too will understand more about diabetes and how they can help you live a healthy life. And remember, you can always ask your health care team any questions you might have.
What is Diabetes
If you have diabetes, your body cannot make or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps control the sugar, or glucose, in your blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for your body.
The 7 Principles for Controlling Your Diabetes for Life
Principle 1: Find Out What Type of Diabetes You Have
Principle 2: Get Regular Care for Your Diabetes
Principle 3: Learn How To Control Your Diabetes
Principle 4: Treat High Blood Sugar
Principle 5: Monitor Your Blood Sugar Level
Principle 6: Prevent and Diagnose Long-Term Diabetes
Principle 7: Get Checked for Long-Term Problems and Treat
Depression and Diabetes
Depression can strike anyone, but people with diabetes, a serious disorder that afflicts an estimated 16 million Americans,1 may be at greater risk. In addition, individuals with depression may be at greater risk for developing diabetes. Treatment for depression helps people manage symptoms of both diseases, thus improving the quality of their lives.
Who can I go to for help with gestational diabetes?
Women who have gestational diabetes benefit most from a team approach, with each member playing a specific role in the management and treatment of the condition. However, the specific members of the team will vary.
Diabetes, Causes and Prevention
Diabetes is a serious, life-long disease. It cannot be cured, but careful control of blood sugar can prevent or delay the complications of this disease. A great deal of research is underway to find out exactly what causes diabetes and how to prevent it.
When Your Blood Glucose Is Too High or Too Low
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep your blood glucose in your target range, it's too high or too low. Blood glucose that's too high or too low can make you very sick. Here's how to handle these emergencies.
Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. Eventually, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin for the body’s needs. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starved of energy. Over the years, high blood glucose damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation.
Diabetes Dictionary: A
a skin condition characterized by darkened skin patches; common in people whose body is not responding correctly to the insulin that they make in their pancreas (insulin resistance). This skin condition is also seen in people who have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Dictionary:B
a type of damage to the retina of the eye marked by bleeding, fluid accumulation, and abnormal dilation of the blood vessels. Background retinopathy is an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Also called simple or nonproliferative (non-pro-LIF-er-uh-tiv) retinopathy.
Diabetes Dictionary:C
a small area of skin, usually on the foot, that has become thick and hard from rubbing or pressure.
Diabetes Dictionary:D
the loss of too much body fluid through frequent urinating, sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Diabetes Dictionary:E
swelling caused by excess fluid in the body.
Diabetes Dictionary:F
a check of a person's blood glucose level after the person has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours (usually overnight). This test is used to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. It is also used to monitor people with diabetes.
Diabetes Dictionary:G
the death of body tissue, most often caused by a lack of blood flow and infection. It can lead to amputation.
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