Being diagnosed with diabetes can be scary.
The good news though is that it is a manageable condition.
Armed with the right information and the right products can help you comfortably live and prosper.
The Basics* There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.
According to WebMd.
com an estimated 7.
8% of the population or 23.
6 million people suffer from diabetes.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in that a diabetic has difficulty producing the proper amount of insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells or the cells do not properly respond to the insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and destroys them.
A person with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.
Generally, Type 1 Diabetes develops in children and young adults, but it can appear at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 is the more common type of diabetes and usually is associated with older age, obesity, family history, physical inactivity, ethnicity or a previous history of gestational diabetes.
Usually when Type 2 is diagnosed, the pancreas is producing enough insulin but the body cannot use the insulin effectively.
Gestational Diabetes Gestational Diabetes develops during pregnancy.
The medical community has not come to a complete consensus, but many doctors believe that the rise in hormones produced during pregnancy effects the body?s ability to effectively process insulin.
In most cases, gestational diabetes goes away after the pregnancy is complete.
Women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Monitoring Glucose Levels In Your Blood If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to carefully monitor your blood glucose levels, or sugars.
When you are diagnosed, your doctor will discuss with you the proper blood glucose range for your situation.
Your doctor will also discuss how often you will need to check your sugars.
To check your sugars, you will use a meter, testing strips and a lancet.
Depending on the type of meter and lancet system, you will test on your fingers or forearm.
Since you may be testing several times a day, you will need to pick the right system for you.
When evaluating your testing system you will need to think about the following items: 1.
Is it easy to get a reading with the first lancing? 2.
How long does it take to see your results? 3.
Is the lancing process as painless as possible? 4.
Will my insurance cover the testing kit I want? Many people suffer from diabetes.
If you find the right glucose monitoring system, you will be able to accurately and effectively manage your condition.
*NOTE: The Research and Medical information provided is a summary and is intended as general reference.
The accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed.
For complete diagnosis and information regarding diabetes or any other medical issue, please seek the help of a qualified professional.
The good news though is that it is a manageable condition.
Armed with the right information and the right products can help you comfortably live and prosper.
The Basics* There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.
According to WebMd.
com an estimated 7.
8% of the population or 23.
6 million people suffer from diabetes.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in that a diabetic has difficulty producing the proper amount of insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells or the cells do not properly respond to the insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and destroys them.
A person with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.
Generally, Type 1 Diabetes develops in children and young adults, but it can appear at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 is the more common type of diabetes and usually is associated with older age, obesity, family history, physical inactivity, ethnicity or a previous history of gestational diabetes.
Usually when Type 2 is diagnosed, the pancreas is producing enough insulin but the body cannot use the insulin effectively.
Gestational Diabetes Gestational Diabetes develops during pregnancy.
The medical community has not come to a complete consensus, but many doctors believe that the rise in hormones produced during pregnancy effects the body?s ability to effectively process insulin.
In most cases, gestational diabetes goes away after the pregnancy is complete.
Women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Monitoring Glucose Levels In Your Blood If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to carefully monitor your blood glucose levels, or sugars.
When you are diagnosed, your doctor will discuss with you the proper blood glucose range for your situation.
Your doctor will also discuss how often you will need to check your sugars.
To check your sugars, you will use a meter, testing strips and a lancet.
Depending on the type of meter and lancet system, you will test on your fingers or forearm.
Since you may be testing several times a day, you will need to pick the right system for you.
When evaluating your testing system you will need to think about the following items: 1.
Is it easy to get a reading with the first lancing? 2.
How long does it take to see your results? 3.
Is the lancing process as painless as possible? 4.
Will my insurance cover the testing kit I want? Many people suffer from diabetes.
If you find the right glucose monitoring system, you will be able to accurately and effectively manage your condition.
*NOTE: The Research and Medical information provided is a summary and is intended as general reference.
The accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed.
For complete diagnosis and information regarding diabetes or any other medical issue, please seek the help of a qualified professional.