In this type of diabetes, either. insulin amounts produced are not for this type diabetes includes diet, exercise, and oral medicine. …
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FACTS
About
What is Diabetes Mellitus Sugar Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus DM is a disease that affects millions of people in the United States It is a major cause of death by disease Many people have diabetes and are not aware they have it DM is a long-term, whole-body disturbance in the bodys breakdown and use of carbohydrates starches, proteins, and fats
Diabetes Mellitus
How does Diabetes happen?
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce or release enough insulin The insulin is produced by special cells called islet cells These cells produce and release insulin so the food you eat can be changed into energy
Type 2: In this type of diabetes, either insulin amounts produced are not enough, or the body does not accept is resistant to the insulin produced This is the more common form of diabetes in adults It usually occurs after age 45, when there is a family history of diabetes, and in people who are overweight The treatment for this type diabetes includes diet, exercise, and oral medicine Depending on how well controlled the level of glucose is, some people with this kind of diabetes might also need to take insulin
What are the risk factors for
Diabetes?
You are at higher risk of developing diabetes if you: Are over 45 years of age Have a parent, brother, or sister with Diabetes Are more than 20 over your ideal body weight Are of Native American, Hispanic, African American, or Asian ethnic background Have high levels of emotional or physical stress Take steroids or estrogen Smoke or use nicotine products Have given birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds Have blood pressure higher than 140/90 Have high lipid blood fat levels, including triglycerides and cholesterol
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone that drives glucose blood sugar into the cells of the body The cells use glucose to make the energy required to fuel your body Insulin keeps the level of glucose in the blood at normal levels after a meal When there is an extreme lack of insulin, fat is broken down instead to provide energy This is not a good process The by-products of this process are a substance called ketones Ketones are acids that are poisonous when they build up in the blood A condition called ketoacidosis occurs when these levels build up in the blood
What are the types of Diabetes?
There are two types of DM They are:
Type 1: In
this type, no insulin is made or released People with Type I diabetes need insulin injections to stay alive They are more likely to develop ketoacidosis because they build up high ketone levels
What symptoms should I look for?
Increased thirst Irritability Dizziness Mood swings Increased urination Headaches Loss of balance Belly pain Tiredness Nausea Blurred vision Breath odor Increased Appetite Confusion Ketones in the urine Rapid unexplained loss of weight Sores that are slow to heal Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
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Diabetes Mellitus
FACTS
About
How do I manage Diabetes?
Diabetic Diet A healthy diet helps to regulate the amounts of carbohydrates starches, fats, and proteins These all change into blood sugar in the body A good diet helps medicine work better to control blood sugar levels Keeping your glucose under good control helps to prevent the serious complications of diabetes Ask your nurse or dietitian to provide you with information about a healthy diet for you to follow Exercise Regular aerobic exercise helps improve the use of insulin by the cells of the body This decreases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke, which
are possible complications of having diabetes Medicine Diabetes medicines help your own insulin work better Injected Insulin replaces the insulin your body hasnt produced, and helps control your blood sugar levels Follow your doctors instructions about your medicine Even with medicine, you may have times when blood sugar is too high or too low Be aware of the signs of hyperglycemia high blood sugar and hypoglycemia low blood sugar Check your blood sugar levels with the glucose meter as instructed, and whenever you feel funny or think your blood sugar level may not be normal Your role in managing this disease is vital Frequent Medical Check-ups Follow up with your doctor, even though you may feel perfectly fine Early detection of possible problems can mean a lower risk of developing more serious complications Annual Eye Exams Please see an ophthalmologist doctor who specializes in eye care every year He can check the back portion of your eye called the retina The small blood vessels in the retina can bleed and change This is common in people with diabetes and can cause blindness if it is not treated Early detection and treatment can prevent you from becoming blind
Daily Foot and
Toe Inspection Foot care is very important for the diabetic Diabetics often have changes in the feelings and sensation of the feet Sometimes, you may not be able to feel that you have a blister or other injury that needs attention It is important to inspect your feet every day Watch for pressure areas, redness, and open areas that are slow to heal If you have a problem, see your doctor as soon as possible Infections of the feet can lead to serious problems, including the need for amputations Dont wait
Where can I find out more about Diabetes?
UTMB has nurses specially trained as Diabetic Educators They have a clinic, and can help you understand more about diabetes Ask your doctor for a referral The American Diabetes Association has many booklets that you may find helpful The local chapters are listed in the telephone directory You can either call or write to them for information They also have a web site that you can access from a computer at home or at the public library The web site address is http://diabetesorg The National Institute of Diabetes can also be reached by computer at the web site http://wwwcdcgov/diabetes Your local library also has books about diabetes and its
treatment There are also cookbooks full of recipes especially for diabetics Diabetes is still a serious disease, but now it is more easily managed and controlled than ever before Your success in managing the disease depends upon you Please discuss your concerns with your nurse or doctor, and include your family in the treatment plan Knowledge is the best defense against diabetes for you and your family
F-1103/999 Produced by: Health Education Office
Source:mansfield.edu
