About Diabetes: 1. What is diabetes? 2. What are the types of diabetes? 3. What causes diabetes? 4. Is there a cure for diabetes? 5. How can type 2 diabetes be prevented? 6. What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes? 7. What does it mean to have pre-diabetes? 8. Why should I test my blood glucose (sugar) level? 9. What is an A1c (HbA1c) test? 10. Why should I pay close attention to the health of my feet? 11. What is diabetic retinopathy? 12. What questions should I ask my doctor to help me improve? 13. Where can I get financial assistance for my diabetes care? 14. What are some outside sources for diabetes information? 1. What is diabetes? Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for our body to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose enter the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either does not produce enough insulin, or cannot use the insulin it does produce as well as it should. This causes glucose to build up in your blood. Left untreated, diabetes can cause serious complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, loss of feeling to the hands and feet and lower extremity amputations. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. 2. What are the types of diabetes? The three main kinds of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes: Formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. In this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked and destroyed them. Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin shots or using an insulin pump, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, taking aspirin daily (for some), and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. Type 2 diabetes: Formerly called adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes taking diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, taking aspirin daily, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. Gestational diabetes: Some women develop gestational diabetes during the late stages of pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had it is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. 3. What Causes diabetes? Type 1 diabetes was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes may account for 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Auto-immune, genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of this type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity and race/ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes. 4. Is there a cure for diabetes? In response to the growing health burden of diabetes, the diabetes community has three choices: prevent diabetes; cure diabetes; and take better care of people with diabetes to prevent devastating complications. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is actively pursuing all three approaches. Both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are involved in prevention activities. The NIH is involved in research to cure both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. CDC focuses most of its programs on ensuring that the proven science is put into daily practice for people with diabetes. Several approaches to “cure” diabetes are being pursued: -Pancreas transplantation -Islet cell transplantation (islet cells produce insulin) -Artificial pancreas development -Genetic manipulation: fat or muscle cells that normally do not make insulin have a human insulin gene inserted. These “pseudo” islet cells are then transplanted into people with Type 1 diabetes. -Each of these approaches still has many challenges, such as preventing immune rejection, finding an adequate number of insulin cells, and keeping cells alive. Progress is being made in all areas. 5. How can type 2 diabetes be prevented? Although people with diabetes can prevent or delay complications by keeping blood glucose (sugar) levels close to normal, preventing or delaying the development of type 2 diabetes in the first place is even better. The results of a major federally funded study, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), show how to do so. The results showed that people in the lifestyle modification group reduced their risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. Average weight loss in the first year of the study was 15 pounds. Lifestyle modification was even more effective in those 60 and older. They reduced their risk by 71 percent. People receiving metformin reduced their risk by 31 percent. 6. What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes? Many people have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms can also be so mild that you might not even notice them. Nearly six million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and do not know it. Here is what to look for: Increased thirst Increased hunger Fatigue Increased urination Weight loss Blurred vision Sores that do not heal Sometimes people have symptoms but do not suspect diabetes. They delay scheduling a checkup because they do not feel sick. Many people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes complications, such as blurry vision or heart trouble. It is important to find out early if you have diabetes because treatment can prevent damage to the body from diabetes. 7. What does it mean to have pre-diabetes? It means you are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The good news is if you have pre-diabetes you reduce the risk of getting diabetes and even return to normal blood glucose (sugar) levels. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, you delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. 8. Why should I test my blood glucose (sugar) level? Testing your blood glucose (sugar) level will show you how food, physical activity and diabetes medications are affecting your blood glucose (sugar). The readings from these tests will help you manage your diabetes day by day, or even hour by hour! Keep a record of your test results to review with your health care provider. Keeping your blood glucose (sugar) level as close to normal as possible may also help you prevent the onset, or lessen the severity of diabetes-related health complications. 9. What is an A1c (HbA1c) test? This is a simple blood test that will show how well you have controlled your blood glucose (sugar) levels over the last 2 - 3 months. The A1c test shows if your average glucose level is too high, or even too low. The NIDDK, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases recommends that you ask your health care provider for an A1c test at least twice a year, more often if your blood glucose (sugar) level stays too high, or if your treatment plan changes. 10. Why should I pay close attention to the health of my feet? Poorly controlled blood glucose (sugar) can cause nerve damage, circulation problems and infections that, in turn, cause serious foot problems for people with diabetes. There is a lot you can do to prevent the onset of these complications. Wash your feet daily and pat them dry, trim your toenails carefully, treat corns and calluses gently, and wear properly fitting shoes. Ask your health care provider to check your feet at least four times a year, and ask if you might benefit from wearing shoes made especially for people with diabetes. 11. What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages the eye’s retina. It affects half of all Americans with diabetes. With timely treatment, blindness can be prevented in a large percentage of those affected. It is very important to have an eye examination through dilated pupils at least once a year. If you notice any change in your vision, talk to your health care provider immediately. 12. What questions should I ask my doctor to help me improve? How often should I test my blood glucose (sugar)? What patterns should I try to achieve? What is my A1c level? (test that measures your average blood glucose (sugar) level over the previous 2-3 months.) How can I get my A1c into the normal range? What effect has diabetes had on my eyes, heart, kidneys, and feet? Do I have microalbuminuria (the detection of tiny amounts of albumin in urine indicating early kidney disease) as a result of my diabetes? How should I take care of my feet? When should I meet with a dietitian to review what I eat? What adjustments to my food or insulin should I make if I plan to exercise? What should my family/friends do if my blood glucose (sugar) drops so low that I need their help? 13. Where can I get financial assistance for my diabetes care? (Medicare) is a federal program that provides health care services for people aged 65 or older. People who are disabled, or who have become disabled, can also apply for Medicare. Coverage is available for people of all ages with kidney failure. To learn if you are eligible, call the Medicare Hotline listed below. Medicare covers glucose monitors, batteries, test strips, lancets, lancing devices, control solution, insulin pumps, and even insulin when it is used in a pump. (Medicaid) is a state program that helps pay medical costs for people with low incomes and limited resources. Medicaid programs vary from state to state. Most of your health care costs may be covered if you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. States also have programs that pay some or all the recipient’s Medicare premiums, and may also pay Medicare deductibles and other co-insurance for those who have Medicare and whose income is below a certain amount. (Health Care Providers) Always be honest with your health care providers. Tell them if you are unable to pay for food, medicines or diabetes supplies. Ask them if they know of any local programs that can assist you. Your health care provider may be able to give you information about additional resources, or refer you to a social services program. 14. What are some outside sources for diabetes information? National Diabetes Education Program http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/projects/ndeps.htm National Eye Institute (NEI) http://www.nei.nih.gov/ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ Copyright © 1994-2010 Express Medical Supply - All Rights Reserved.