What is Diabetes?
Many people have a health condition called diabetes. There's a lot to know about diabetes. Whether you've just been told you have diabetes, have had diabetes for a while, or you're helping a loved one with diabetes, this video will give you some information to help you manage it.
Diabetes happens when there is too much sugar in your blood. Another name for sugar is “glucose”. Your body makes glucose from the food that you eat and your blood transports it to the parts of your body that need it. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy and the cells that make up your body need just the right amount of it to be healthy.
Insulin is made by a part of your body called the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose get from the blood into the parts of your body that need it, so it can be used for energy. If you have diabetes, it means that your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or it doesn’t make any insulin, or your body doesn’t use insulin well. This causes too much glucose to stay in your blood instead of reaching the rest of your body and your blood sugar can become too high. Over time, this can damage your body.
The most common types of diabetes are called: Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes. Gestational diabetes can happen during pregnancy. No matter which type of diabetes you have, it is very important to take care of it, so your body is healthy and strong.
Every person's experience with diabetes is different. You will need to make a plan with your health care provider to manage your diabetes in a way that is right for you.
Whether you have just learned that you have diabetes or you have been living with diabetes for a long time, there are things that can help. If you have diabetes, it is important to:
See a health care provider regularly. Your doctor will do blood tests and check your blood pressure regularly to make sure you are staying healthy.
Pay attention to what you are eating and drinking. If you have diabetes, you can still enjoy the foods you love, but you’ll need to think about how different foods affect your blood sugar.
Be physically active. Getting exercise helps keep your blood sugar low. It’s a good idea to get some kind of exercise most days, like going for a walk. If you are already doing this, try to do more.
Monitor your blood sugar. Your doctor will give you instructions about how and when to test your blood sugar, and how to understand the results.
Take your medications in the way your doctor has recommended.
Take special care of your feet, eyes, and mouth. If you do not take good care of your diabetes it can cause problems in these parts of your body. It is very important to get regular health exams and pay attention to any changes.
If you are new to learning about diabetes, it can feel like there is a lot to do and a lot to understand. You might feel overwhelmed and that’s normal. Don’t try to change all your habits at once - start off by choosing one thing to focus on and be patient with yourself. Talk with your health care provider to set goals that feel right for you and ask for help when you need it. You can learn to manage your diabetes and live a long, healthy life.
Our next videos will give more details about how to take care of yourself and manage your diabetes.