FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) :
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or improperly uses insulin. Insulin is needed to process glucose (sugar) in the blood from the food we eat, allowing it to enter the cells of the body and produce energy.
Is there a cure for diabetes?
Currently, there is no cure for diabetes. However, much research is being done and, hopefully, some day a cure will be found.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes can include excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, extreme hunger, fatigue, sudden changes in vision, slow healing cuts or bruises and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Diagnosis must be made by a physician.
What tests can be done to determine if I have diabetes?
Two types of blood tests can be done, a fasting blood sugar test and a glucose tolerance test. A fasting blood sugar test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood after you fast (nothing to eat or drink except water) for eight hours. For a glucose tolerance test, you are given a liquid containing sugar to drink, and blood is drawn after two hours.
What is pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Studies have shown that people diagnosed with pre-diabetes eventually develop Type 2 diabetes. |
What are the different types of diabetes?
There are three different classifications of diabetes. Type 1, where little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas. This usually occurs in people under the age of 40. Patients with this type of diabetes must take insulin injections in order to survive. It is also referred to as juvenile diabetes because it usually begins in childhood. Type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas produces some insulin but the amount is either insufficient, or the body is unable to properly utilize the insulin. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. It usually occurs in people over the age of 40, often in those who are overweight. Gestational diabetes is a form of Type 2 diabetes, which develops in some women only during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery. There is a possibility that gestational diabetes will occur in future pregnancies, or that Type 2 diabetes will develop later in life.
Can diabetes be prevented?
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, however, the onset of Type 2 diabetes may be prevented by reducing weight and following a regular exercise program.
What is an insulin pump?
An insulin pump is a computerized, battery-operated device approximately the size of a cell phone. The pump is attached to a thin plastic tube that has a soft plastic needle, known as a cannula, at the end of the tube through which the insulin flows. The cannula is inserted into the skin, usually in the abdominal area. The pump delivers insulin 24 hours a day, the amount being programmed by the user, allowing for factors such as change in eating habits, exercise, and sleep within a 24 hour period. The pump can be disconnected from the tubing when needed to allow for bathing, etc.
Is it ok for me to exercise on a regular basis?
Exercise is very beneficial for everyone, including people with diabetes. Regular exercise can reduce the possibility of complications, such as diabetic neuropathy, and exercise can cause a reduction of the daily insulin dose that is necessary.
I recently had a physical exam and blood tests, and have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Why didn't I have symptoms?
With Type 2 diabetes, the blood sugar levels can rise gradually over a period of years, and because symptoms are non-existent or mild, they may not be noticed. |