You are going to learn to set goals to help control your blood sugar.
When you have diabetes, your body does not use insulin very well or does not make enough insulin. When your body is not able to use insulin well or does not make enough insulin, your blood sugar (glucose) goes up.
The pancreas makes insulin.
The pancreas is located behind the stomach.
The food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar). Our bodies use the glucose for energy. The insulin helps the glucose get into the cells. When you have diabetes, your body may not make enough insulin or the cells cannot use the insulin the body makes. When the glucose is not able to enter the cells, it builds up in the blood. This causes high blood sugar.
High levels of sugar in your blood can cause damage to your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and other organs over time.
Please see the Complications section for more information on how your body controls blood sugar.
This kind of diabetes was called juvenile diabetes in the past. It was also called insulin dependent diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually begins in children or young adults but can happen at any time. It does not usually run in families. It usually occurs in normal weight people. It is thought to be brought on by an autoimmune action of the body.
In children and adults it is a quick onset of frequent urination, being thirsty, extreme hunger, very tired, rapid weight loss, and extremely high blood sugars.
If you have Type 1 diabetes your pancreas makes no insulin or extremely small amounts. You will need to take insulin injections every day.
This kind of diabetes was called non- insulin dependent diabetes in the past.
It was also known as adult onset diabetes. This is the most common type of diabetes. About 90-95 percent of all diabetics have Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetics have a pancreas that is making insulin but have problems using the insulin that their pancreas makes and sometimes do not make enough.
Type 2 diabetes usually starts slowly and you may not have any symptoms that you recognize at the beginning. It most often occurs in people over 30 years old but can start at any age. It is seen more frequently in younger people in the last 10 years. Being overweight and inactive are strong risk factors.
Blood testing is usually done as a part of your preventive physical exam yearly. Sometimes your medical care provider may check your blood glucose if you are having signs and symptoms of diabetes or have risk factors.
| Random Blood Glucose Test | A finger-stick glucose test or a test from a tube of blood from you even if you have eaten. This test may be ordered if you have symptoms of diabetes. If the result is more than 200mg/dl you have diabetes. |
| Fasting Blood Glucose Test | A glucose test done after fasting at least eight hours. If your glucose is 126mg/dl or more then you have diabetes. |
| Glucose Tolerance Test | A series of glucose tests done after you have fasted overnight. You will go to the lab, have blood taken and tested, and then have more blood taken two hours after drinking a sweet drink. You are diabetic if your glucose is above 200mg/dl; pre-diabetic if your glucose is 141-199; normal if 140 or below. |
| Hemoglobin A1C | A test that is done every three to six months. Does not have to be done fasting. Tells us what your average blood glucose for the last two to three months has been. It helps to tell if your glucose is under control. |
LET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
You and your provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) are a team. When you have diabetes it is important to see your provider regularly.