Diabetes

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to diabetes. Diabetes is caused by lack of insulin, a hormone that is essential for getting energy from food. There are two types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, which often starts in children, the body stops making insulin completely. In type 2 diabetes, the body still […]

Here are definitions of medical terms related to diabetes. Amino acids: Building blocks of proteins Beta cells: Insulin-producing cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Body mass index: A measurement of the percentage of fat to muscle in the human body. To determine body mass index, weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters. A

Diabetes is a condition in which the glucose (sugar) level in the blood is too high. Glucose is a simple type of sugar that supplies the body with energy. The body is unable to keep the glucose level within the normal range and so the amount of glucose in the blood becomes too high.  The problem occurs

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on diabetes. American Diabetes Association  Phone: 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-832-6874) http://www.diabetes.org National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse  Phone: 1-301-654-3327 http://www.niddk.nih.gov MedicAlert Foundation International  Phone: 1-800-432-5378  http://www.medicalert.org

Diabetes affects the way the body uses food. It is caused by a lack of insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas that is essential for converting energy from food. Insulin is necessary for the body to process nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins), and its absence causes high sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. There

Type 2 diabetes – the type that mostly affects adults – affects all types of people. However, there are factors that can put you at higher risk for developing the condition: Being overweight (body mass index of 25+) Carrying fat around the waist and stomach Being sedentary Being more than 45 years old (being over

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. That means the body’s defense system attacks some of the body’s own cells. In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, and therefore they are no longer capable of making insulin. We don’t know exactly why this happens, but we do know that some

Diabetes is often diagnosed by measuring fasting glucose levels. If that value is lower than the value necessary to diagnose diabetes but your doctor suspects you still may have diabetes, an oral glucose tolerance test may be done. This is a special test that shows how well the body uses glucose. Talk to your doctor

Treating diabetes is a team effort. You (the parents or guardians) and the child are the most important members of this team, working closely with the child’s doctor, who may be a pediatrician or an endocrinologist. In addition, the care team may include: A diabetes educator (often a nurse) A dietitian A psychologist or other

Diabetes can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. The treatment varies according to how much insulin the body makes, and how well the body is able to use available insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes can control their diabetes at first by losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Others also

In the early stages, you may be able to control your diabetes without medication, by looking after yourself carefully. But if you are taking medication, taking care of yourself is just as important. It will help the medication work much better. Things you can do to control your diabetes include: Control your weight. For many people