DIABETES BASICS:
WHAT'S ALL THIS TALK ABOUT DIABETES?
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a disease marked by elevated blood glucose due to the body lacking or
not properly using something it needs - Insulin. There are two main types
of diabetes, type 1 and type 2.
People with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin. Those with type 1 diabetes require
daily injections to replace insulin in order for the food they eat which is converted
into sugar to pass from the blood stream into the body's cells for nourishment.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, usually diagnosed in young people. However,
the onset of the disease in adults is steadily on the rise. Type 1 diabetes accounts
for five to 10 percent of all diagnosed diabetes cases in adults in the U.S.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder in which the body is resistant to
the insulin it produces, or does not produce a sufficient amount, leaving sugar
to build up in the blood causing devastating effects. Type 2 diabetes accounts for
90% of the cases of diabetes in adults in the U.S., and is often associated with
older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, physical inactivity, specific ethnic
groups, and for women, a history of gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is growing
at an epidemic rate in the United States.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL
Elevated blood sugar control can lead to a number of potentially serious conditions,
including heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure.
To reduce the risk of developing these complications, it’s important to maintain
low A1C levels. A1C is a measure of the average blood glucose levels over the past
two- to three-month period. A1C goals should be individualized based on the needs
of the patient. However, in general, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends
an A1C of less than 7%. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
encourages even tighter control, recommending an A1C of 6.5% or less.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Start by taking the S.T.A.N.D. pledge
to help put you in the right state of mind to take control of your diabetes, not
the other way around. Next, talk to your doctor and discuss the best ways to get
your blood sugar under control. Develop a treatment plan that includes diet, exercise,
diabetes medications (as needed), and regular blood sugar monitoring. Work with your healthcare
team to identify your own blood sugar goals. Then share your plan with your support
network—the more they know, the more they can help. Managing diabetes is an ongoing
process. For more tips, check out some additional resources here.