What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that keeps your body from making or using insulin, which helps turn food into energy. When you have diabetes, the process of changing food into energy doesn't work well and sugar builds up in your blood. If blood sugar stays too high, it can slowly cause problems to your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet.
There are two types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes: Occurs when your body does not make insulin.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Occurs when your body does not make enough insulin or it does not work well.
More than 90 percent of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include:
- Older age
- Having diabetes during a pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Being overweight or obese
- Higher than normal levels of blood sugar
- Family history of diabetes
- Not exercising enough
Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are less clear than they are for Type 2 diabetes. Family history, genetics and problems with the body's system for fighting infection give a higher risk.
What is recommended care for diabetes?
Getting quality diabetes care can help prevent serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness and amputation. Recommended care for diabetes means receiving certain blood tests and exams regularly and getting help managing blood pressure and cholesterol.
Stage of Care: Diagnosis & Every Visit
Your Doctor Should:- Check your weight and blood pressure. The blood pressure goal for most people is less than 130/80.
- Look at your feet.
- Develop an action plan to manage your diabetes.
Stage of Care: Every 3-6 Months
Your Doctor Should:- Give you an A1C test to check your blood sugar levels for the last three months. It lets you and your doctor know if your blood sugar levels have been close to normal, too high or too low. The goal for most people is less than 7 percent.
- Review your self-management goals and action plan.
Stage of Care: At Least Once a Year
Your Doctor Should:- Check your cholesterol levels. The LDL (bad) cholesterol goal for most people is less than 100. The HDL (good) cholesterol goal for most people is above 40.
- Give you a test to check your triglycerides, which are a type of blood fat.
- Give you a urine and blood test to check for problems with your kidneys.
- Arrange for a dilated eye exam to check for eye problems, and a dental exam to check your teeth and gums.
- Give you flu/pneumonia shots as needed.