Patient Education
Patient Education
Diabetes
Copyright © 1999-2016 by the American Academy of Family Physicians
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Diabetes
Copyright © 1999-2016 by the American Academy of Family Physicians
Overview
If you just found out you have diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions and you may feel a
little uncertain. But you're not alone. In the United States, 23.6 million people have diabetes.
Most of these people lead full, healthy lives. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to
learn all you can about diabetes. This article will tell you some of the basics about diabetes.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person's body doesn't make enough of the hormone
insulin or can't use insulin properly. There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when
your body's pancreas doesn't produce any insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas
either doesn't produce enough insulin or your body's cells ignore the insulin. Between 90% and
95% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
What is pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, but not so high
that your doctor can say you have diabetes. Pre-diabetes is becoming more common in the
United States. It greatly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The good news is that you can take steps to prevent or delay the onset of full-blown type 2
diabetes by making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, reaching and maintaining a
healthy weight, and exercising regularly.
Symptoms
Extreme hunger
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination
Fatigue or drowsiness
Blurry vision
People who have type 2 diabetes may also show signs of insulin resistance, such as darkening
skin around the neck or in the armpits, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, yeast
infections and skipped or absent periods in teen girls and women.
You start feeling very thirsty and are urinating more often than usual.
You start to tremble, feel weak and drowsy, and then feel confused or dizzy, or your
vision becomes blurred.
You have a sore, blister or wound (especially on your feet) that won't heal.
If blood sugar levels become very high without treatment, a condition calleddiabetic
ketoacidosismay develop. If this happens, symptoms may include shortness of breath, pain in
the abdomen, vomiting, dehydration, and even coma and death if left untreated.
Weight
Find your height in the left column, then look to the right to find the corresponding weight. If
you weigh the amount shown (or more), you may be at risk for diabetes.
Family history
Although you can't change your family history, it is important for you and your doctor to know
if diabetes runs in your family. Your risk for diabetes is higher if your mother, father or sibling
has diabetes. Tell your doctor if anyone in your family has diabetes.
Race/ethnic background
For reasons still unclear to doctors, some ethnic groups have a higher risk of diabetes than
others. You are at greater risk if you belong to one of these groups:
Native American
Hispanic American
African American
Pacific Islander
Exercise
Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of diabetes. Any amount of
activity is better than none, but try to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week. If
you haven't exercised in a while or you have health problems, talk with your doctor before
Diet
A diet high in fat, calories and cholesterol increases your risk of diabetes. In addition, a poor
diet can lead to obesity (another risk factor for diabetes) and other health problems. A healthy
diet is high in fiber and low in fat, cholesterol, salt and sugar. Also, remember to watch your
portion size--how much you eat is just as important as what you eat.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetesis a kind of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy. It occurs in
about 4% of pregnant women. Although gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy, 40% to
60% of women who had gestational diabetes are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within 15
years.
Even if they don't have gestational diabetes, women who give birth to babies who weigh 9
pounds or more are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Kidney failure
Heart attacks
Nerve and blood vessel damage that can lead to the loss of toes or feet
The longer the body is exposed to high blood sugar levels, the greater the risk that problems
will occur. That's why treatment is important at any age. Keeping blood sugar levels very close
to the ideal can minimize, delay and, in some cases, even prevent the problems that diabetes
can cause.
Fasting blood sugar test. This test is usually done in the morning, after an 8-hour
fast. This means that you shouldn't eat any foods or drink any liquids except for water
for 8 hours before the test. At the end of the fast, a doctor or nurse measure the amount
of glucose in your blood. If your blood sugar level is 126 milligrams per deciliter
(mg/dL) or higher, your doctor will probably want to repeat the test. A blood sugar level
of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher on 2 occasions indicates diabetes.
Test results from 100 mg per dL to 125 mg per dL suggestprediabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test. During this test, you will drink a beverage containing
75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Two hours later, a doctor or nurse will measure
the amount of glucose in your blood. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher
Random blood sugar test. This test measures the level of glucose in your blood at
any time of day, regardless of when you last ate. Combined with symptoms of diabetes,
a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.
Treatment
Eat a healthy diet. The recommended diet for many people who have diabetes is very
similar to that suggested for everyone: low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in salt and low in
added sugar. Your diet should include lots of complex carbohydrates (such as whole-grain
breads, cereals and pasta), fruits and vegetables. This type of diet will help you control your
blood sugar level, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It's also important to
watch your portion size so you can control your blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight. In
order to help keep your blood sugar at a healthy level, it's important to eat at least 3 meals per
day and never skip a meal. For more information, readDiabetes and Nutrition.
Eat at about the same time every day. This helps keep your insulin or medicine and
sugar levels steady.
Try to eat 3 times a day. Have a snack at bedtime if you're taking medicine or insulin.
Avoid other snacking unless you're exercising or treating hypoglycemia.
If you're overweight, lose weight. Even losing just a little weight, such as 5 to 15 pounds,
can lower your blood sugar levels.
Eat fewer empty calories, such as foods high in sugar and fat, and alcohol.
Exercise. Exercising will help your body use insulin and lower your blood sugar level. It also
helps control your weight, gives you more energy and is good for your overall health. Exercise is
also good for your heart, your cholesterol levels, your blood pressure and your weight--all factors
that can affect your risk of heart attack and stroke. Exercise also seems to make people feel
better about themselves and feel less anxious. Talk with your doctor about starting an exercise
program. He or she can help you make a plan. For more information, readDiabetes and
Exercise.
Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy body weight
will help you in 2 ways. First, it helps insulin work better in your body. Second, it will lower
your blood pressure and decrease your risk for heart disease.
Take your medicine. If your diabetes can't be controlled with diet, exercise and weight
control, your doctor may recommend medicine or insulin. Oral medicines(taken by mouth) can
make your body produce more insulin or help your body use the insulin it makes more
efficiently. Some people need to add insulin to their bodies with insulin injections, insulin
pens or insulin pumps. Always take medicines exactly as your doctor prescribes.
Frequent yawning
Sweating
Twitching
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
People who have diabetes should carry at least 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate with
them at all times in case of hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction. The following are examples of
quick sources of energy that can relieve the symptoms:
Milk- 1 cup
Candy- 5 Lifesavers
If you don't feel better 15 minutes after having a fast-acting carbohydrate, or if monitoring
shows that your blood sugar level is still too low, have another 15 grams of a fast-acting
carbohydrate.
Teach your friends, work colleagues and family members how to treat hypoglycemia, because
sometimes you may need their help. Also, keep a supply of glucagon on hand. Glucagon comes
in a kit with a powder and a liquid that must be mixed together and then injected (given as a
shot). It will raise your blood sugar level. If you are unconscious, or you can't eat or drink,
another person can give you a shot of glucagon. This will bring your blood sugar level back to
normal.
Frequent urination
Blurry vision
Complications
Neuropathy most often affects the feet and legs. If you have neuropathy, you may not be able to
feel a sore on your foot. The sore can become infected and, in serious cases, the foot may have
to be amputated (removed). People who have neuropathy may continue walking on a foot that
has damaged joints or bones. This can lead to a condition called Charcot foot that causes
swelling and instability in the injured foot. It can also cause the foot to become deformed.
However, this problem can often be avoided.
If you have diabetes, check your feet every day. If you see swelling, redness and feel warmth in
Numbness, tingling or burning feelings in your fingers, toes, hands and/or feet
Cuts, sores or blisters on your feet that don't hurt as much as you would expect, and that
also heal very slowly
When the blood vessels of your retina are damaged, fluid can leak from them and cause
swelling in your macula. The macula is the central part of the retina and give you sharp, clear
vision. The swelling and fluid can cause blurry vision and make it hard for you to see. If
retinopathy gets worse, it may lead to blindness.
Laser surgery can often be used to treat or slow down retinopathy, especially if the problem is
found early. People who have diabetes should have an eye exam once a year.
The risk for nephropathy is increased if you have both diabetes and high blood pressure, so it
is important to control both of these conditions.
Protein in the urine is usually the first sign of nephropathy. This should be checked yearly.
Heart disease is easiest to treat when it is caught early. It is very important to see your doctor
on a regular basis. He or she can test for early signs of heart disease.
The recommended cholesterol level for a person who has diabetes is the same as for someone
who has heart disease. If your cholesterol is higher than the recommended level, your doctor
will talk to you about lifestyle changes and medication to help get your cholesterol under
control.
Eat a variety ofhealthy foods. Avoid foods that are high in fat, cholesterol, salt and
added sugar.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, your doctor can give you advice on how
to lose weight safely.
Quit smoking.
Take care of your feet and check them every day for signs of injury and infection.
See your dentist twice a year to check your teeth and gums.
Stay up-to-date on your immunizations. Get a flu shot each year and a tetanus booster
every 10 years.
Manage yourstress.
See your doctor regularly, even when you feel fine. Your doctor will check for early signs
of complications.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the warning signs listed.
Other Organizations
Bibliography
I've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If I lose weight and eat better, will it go
away?
Are there any other medicines I can take to help control diabetes?
Educational Guidelines for Achieving Tight Control and Minimizing Complications of Type 1
Diabetes by Stephen Havas, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.(
11/01/99,http://www.aafp.org/afp/991101ap/1985.html)
The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Accessed 01/01/11
Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus: New Criteria by Jennifer Mayfield, M.D.,
M.P.H.( 10/08/98,http://www.aafp.org/afp/981015ap/mayfield.html)
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Joe A. Florence, M.D., and Bryan F. Yeager,
Pharm.D.( 05/15/99,http://www.aafp.org/afp/990515ap/2835.html)