| About Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes can be an intimidating word. It means simply that your blood glucose level can go too high. Over time, high blood glucose levels damage nerves and blood vessels which can lead to problems with your heart, eyes, feet and other key areas. The good news is you can manage diabetes and reduce these risks through small, simple changes. What causes diabetes?
Most food is broken down to glucose and carried in the bloodstream to your cells. Glucose is the fuel your cells need to give you the energy to perform simple tasks like breathing, talking or playing with your kids. After you eat, a hormone called insulin is released from the pancreas to let glucose into your cells to be used for energy. It’s like the key that unlocks your cells to let the glucose in. When you have diabetes you many not produce any or enough insulin. Your blood glucose levels become high because the glucose stays in your blood. And sometimes -even when you do produce insulin - your body isn’t able to use it effectively. What are the types of diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas is able to make very little, if any, insulin. Because you need insulin to live, you now must give yourself insulin through injections or a pump. Type 2 Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to use insulin effectively. People that have Type 2 diabetes can control diabetes with diet and exercise, but many times oral medications and insulin are needed too. Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when you develop diabetes during pregnancy. Having high blood glucose levels during pregnancy puts your baby at risk for being overweight or developing diabetes later in life. While gestational diabetes often goes away after you deliver, you are now at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. How can I manage diabetes?
Through small, simple changes you can begin to eat better, move more, lose weight and reduce risks. For simple tips and tools to help make better choices and gain control of diabetes enroll in GLUCOCARD’s FREE You Choose™ Wellness Program What if I have Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-Diabetes is when your blood glucose levels are elevated but aren’t high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. But by making small changes (eating better, moving more, and losing weight) you can prevent or hold off developing Type 2 diabetes. To learn simple ways to eat better, move more and lose weight enroll in GLUCOCARD’s FREE You Choose™ Wellness Program |
