Understand Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes (sometimes called type 1 “diabetes mellitus”) is a disorder that disrupts the way your body uses sugar. All the cells in your body need sugar to work normally. Sugar gets into cells with the help of a hormone called insulin. If there is not enough insulin, or if the body stops responding to insulin, sugar builds up in the blood. That is what happens to people with diabetes.
There are 2 types of diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes make little or no insulin. People with type 2 diabetes sometimes also make too little insulin, but more often the problem is that their cells do not respond to insulin.
What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
- Intense thirst
- Being very tired
- Urinating often
- Losing weight
- Blurred vision
In extreme cases, type 1 diabetes can also cause nausea or vomiting, belly pain, and panting.
How do I know if I have type 1 diabetes?
Your doctor or nurse can do a blood test to measure the amount of sugar in your blood. The test will show whether you have diabetes. If you do, your doctor or nurse can then decide whether it is type 1 or type 2 – based on your age, your weight, and other factors.
How is type 1 diabetes treated?
Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves 2 key parts:
- Measuring your blood sugar often, to make sure it does not get too high or too low. Your doctor or nurse will explain how to measure your blood sugar, and how often to do it. You can keep track of your blood sugar using a phone app, online “portal,” or paper chart.
- Using insulin shots or an insulin pump to keep your blood sugar levels in the right range. (An insulin pump is a device that you wear close to your body. It is connected to tube that goes under your skin and supplies insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes also need to carefully plan their meals and activity levels. That’s because eating raises blood sugar, while being active lowers it. Despite the need to plan, people with diabetes can have normal diets, be active, eat out, and do all the things that most other people do.
There are other things you can do to stay healthy, such as not smoking. It’s also important to get the flu vaccine every year. Some people also need a vaccine to prevent pneumonia, too.
How often do I need to see my doctor or nurse?
You will probably need to see your doctor or nurse at least 3 or 4 times a year. Sometimes you will need more visits to learn how to manage your diabetes or if your blood sugar is not well controlled.
During your visits, your doctor or nurse will want to measure your blood sugar using a test called “A1C.” This test tells you your average blood sugar level over the last few months. The results will help your doctor or nurse decide whether to adjust your treatment.
During some of your visits, your doctor or nurse will also check other aspects of your health. For instance, they might measure your blood pressure or cholesterol. It is very important that you keep all your appointments with your doctor or nurse.
Why is it important to keep my blood sugar close to normal?
Having high blood sugar can cause serious problems over time. It can lead to:
- Nerve damage
- Kidney disease
- Vision problems (or even blindness)
- Pain or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
- The need to have fingers, toes, or other body parts removed (amputated)
- Heart disease and strokes.
Having low blood sugar can cause problems, too. It can make your heart beat fast, and make you shake and sweat. If blood sugar gets really low, it can cause more serious problems, too. People with very low blood sugar can get headaches, get very sleepy, pass out, or even have seizures.
Why is it important to keep my blood pressure and cholesterol low?
People with diabetes have a much higher risk of heart disease and strokes than people who do not have diabetes. Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol low can help lower those risks.
If your doctor or nurse puts you on blood pressure or cholesterol medicines, be sure to take them. Studies show that these medicines can prevent heart attacks, strokes, and even death.
What if I want to get pregnant?
Many people with type 1 diabetes have healthy pregnancies. If you want to have a baby, make sure you control your blood sugar really well before and during pregnancy. This will protect you and your baby from problems.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disorder that disrupts the way the body uses sugar. It is sometimes called type 2 diabetes mellitus.
All of the cells in the body need sugar to work normally. Sugar gets into the cells with the help of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is made by the pancreas, an organ in the belly. If there is not enough insulin, or if the body stops responding to insulin, sugar builds up in the blood. That is what happens to people with diabetes.
There are 2 different types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin or makes very little insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes – In most people with type 2 diabetes, the body stops responding to insulin normally. Then, over time, the pancreas stops making enough insulin.
Having excess body weight or obesity increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But people without excess body weight can get diabetes, too.
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes usually causes no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they include:
- Needing to urinate often
- Intense thirst
- Blurry vision
Can diabetes lead to other health problems?
Yes. Type 2 diabetes might not make you feel sick. But if it is not managed, it can lead to serious problems over time, such as:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Kidney disease
- Vision problems (or even blindness)
- Pain or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
- Needing to have fingers, toes, or other body parts removed (amputated)
How do I know if I have type 2 diabetes?
To find out if you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor or nurse can do a blood test. There are 2 tests that can be used for this. Both involve measuring the amount of sugar in your blood, called your “blood sugar” or “blood glucose”:
- One of the tests measures your blood sugar at the time the blood sample is taken. This test is done in the morning. You can’t eat or drink anything except water for at least 8 hours before the test.
- The other test shows what your average blood sugar has been for the past 2 to 3 months. This blood test is called “hemoglobin A1C” or just “A1C.” It can be checked at any time of the day, even if you have recently eaten.
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
The goals of treatment are to manage your blood sugar and lower the risk of future problems that can happen in people with diabetes.
Treatment might include:
- Lifestyle changes – This is an important part of managing diabetes. It includes eating healthy foods and getting plenty of physical activity.
- Medicines – There are a few medicines that help lower blood sugar. Some people need to take pills that help the body make more insulin or that help insulin do its job. Others need insulin shots.
Depending on what medicines you take, you might need to check your blood sugar regularly at home. But not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs to do this. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you should be checking your blood sugar, and when and how to do this. Sometimes, people with type 2 diabetes also need medicines to help prevent problems caused by the disease. For instance, medicines used to lower blood pressure can reduce the chances of a heart attack or stroke.
General medical care:
It’s also important to take care of other areas of your health. This includes watching your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. You should also get certain vaccines, such as vaccines to protect against the flu and coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). Some people also need a vaccine to prevent pneumonia.
Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?
Yes. To lower your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, the most important thing you can do is eat a healthy diet and get plenty of physical activity. This can help you lose weight if you are overweight. But eating well and being active are also good for your overall health. Even gentle activity, like walking, has benefits.
If you smoke, quitting can also lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but your doctor or nurse can help.