Diabetes

There are now several medications available to treat diabetes. Most are taken in pill form. Different diabetes pills do different things: Help the pancreas make more insulin Help the body’s cells use insulin more efficiently Work with both the pancreas and the cells to control blood sugar levels Slows down the digestion of carbohydrates in […]

If you have type 1 diabetes, when the body no longer produces insulin, you probably need to take insulin shots every day. With type 2 diabetes, sometimes the pancreas can’t make enough insulin, even with the help of pills. If that happens, you will need to take insulin as well. Need To Know: Insulin has

Keeping track of your blood sugar levels makes your diabetes easier to manage and helps you keep an eye on your condition. Blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia) can make you feel sick. You may urinate frequently, become thirsty, have blurring of vision and may get skin infections, eg, boils. And if it stays

A healthy diet is a crucial part of managing diabetes. People who have diabetes should watch: What time they eat (meals and snacks should be about the same time every day) How much they eat (meals and snacks should be about the same size every day) The balance of what they eat at each meal

Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar – can be very unpleasant and sometimes dangerous. It can be caused by: Taking certain diabetes pills (sulfonylureas) without enough food Overexercising if taking insulin or a sulfonylurea Alcohol on an empty stomach Too much insulin The Signs of Hypoglycemia You may feel: Shaky, sweaty, hungry, faint or weak Palpitations,

Even “normal” illnesses like colds and flu can cause special problems when you have diabetes. If you can’t eat, or are vomiting, it may be hard to keep blood sugar up. Some illnesses interfere with the way insulin works. If you are taking insulin, youo may need more while you are ill. If you are

People with diabetes have a high risk of many serious health problems. That’s because when you have more sugar than normal in your blood, it can damage blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to: Problems with eyes Problems with kidneys Problems with nerves, especially in the feet Problems with teeth and skin People who

Here are some frequently asked questions related to diabetes. Q: I know several people who have type 2 diabetes, and I’m concerned about my own risk. Should I get tested for the condition? A: If you are over 45 years old, have a family history of diabetes, are significantly overweight, or are sedentary, you should get

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