Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers from health experts to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about diabetes. To find out more, click on the links provided. They are the best we’ve found for people who want to take action now to live healthy lives with or without diabetes.
- What is diabetes?
- Why is it so important to prevent diabetes?
- What is pre-diabetes?
- What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
- How do I know if I am at risk for developing diabetes?
- What is type 1 diabetes?
- What is type 2 diabetes?
- What is gestational diabetes?
- What is a normal blood glucose (sugar) number?
- Is there a cure for diabetes?
- What medication should I take for diabetes?
- Do all people with diabetes take medication for it?
- What is A1C?
- What should my cholesterol be?
- What is BMI?
- What kinds of foods should I eat?
- Can I eat these foods or not? Carrots? Grapes? Watermelon?
- Should I exercise and how do I start?
- My doctor tells me I have a “touch of sugar” and to “watch” my sugar. What does this mean?
- Do parents need to worry about their children developing type 2 diabetes?
- How many people have been diagnosed with diabetes?
- How many Lancaster County residents have pre-diabetes?
- How many people are newly diagnosed with diabetes per year?
1. What is diabetes?
Diabetes means that your blood glucose, often called blood sugar, is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. But too much glucose in the blood isn’t good for your health. Diabetes can lead to very serious complications and even premature death. For more information on complications, see www.Diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/care.htm.
2. Why is it so important to prevent diabetes?
Prevention of diabetes or prevention of further complications if you already have diabetes can help you lead a healthier and longer life. High blood sugar levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage, as well as many other serious health problems. See www.Diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/care.htm for more information.
3. What is pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is the term for someone with elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels that are not high enough to classify a person as having diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke, among other health problems. The good news is that if you have pre-diabetes, you can take action now to reduce your risk of getting diabetes. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, you can help delay or prevent type 2 diabetes and may even return your blood sugar levels to normal. For more information on how to prevent type 2 diabetes, explore this website, 123ActionNow.org, thoroughly, especially the resource manual in the toolkit.
4. What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
In the case of type 1 diabetes, some or all of the following listed symptoms are usually easy to see because little or no insulin is being produced in the body. However, in the case of type 2 diabetes, some or all of the symptoms may go unnoticed because the body is producing some insulin—just not enough insulin, or the insulin that is being produced is not being used properly. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms may appear gradually over an extended period of time. This makes them harder to notice.
Consult your physician if you experience any combination of the following symptoms:
- Being very thirsty, hungry, or tired
- Needing to empty your bladder frequently
- Losing weight without trying
- Having frequent infections or sores that heal slowly
- Having dry, itchy skin
- Losing the feeling (numbness) in your feet
- Having a tingling feeling, especially in your feet
- Having blurry eyesight
All unexplained symptoms should be brought to the attention of a qualified healthcare professional. If you need help finding a doctor in Lancaster County, Nebraska, call (402) 434-7170 or (402) 483-4800.
5. How do I know if I am at risk for developing diabetes?
If one or more of the following things are true for you, you are more likely to develop diabetes. “More likely to develop” is another way of saying “at risk.” If any of the following things are true for you, then you are at risk for, or more likely to develop diabetes.
- You are overweight. This means that you have a BMI of 25 or more. (See What is BMI?)
- You have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
- You are African American, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or a Pacific Islander.
- You now have, or have had, gestational diabetes. (See What is gestational diabetes?)
- You have given birth to a baby weighing 9 or more pounds.
- Your blood pressure is 130/80 or higher, or you’ve been told by a physician that you have high blood pressure.
- Your cholesterol levels are not normal. (See What should my cholesterol be?)
- You get very little exercise. (See Should I exercise and how do I start?)
6. What is type 1 diabetes?
This used to be called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. It is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults but can be seen at any age. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t make insulin. Therefore, blood glucose (sugar) cannot enter the cells to be used for energy.
Treatment and management of type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin shots or using an insulin pump, making wise food choices, being physically active, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. For some Action Steps if you use insulin, see the website: www.Diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/. About halfway down the page, click on the “Printer-friendly” version of the “Action Steps” and choose if you “use” insulin. This gives you helpful action steps if you use insulin.
7. What is type 2 diabetes?
This used to be called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes and is the most common form of diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of persons with diabetes have type 2. In this type of diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin correctly. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Treatment and management may include taking diabetes medicines by mouth, making wise food choices, being physically active, taking aspirin daily, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. For some Action Steps if you don’t use insulin, see the website: www.Diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/. About half-way down the page, click on “Printer-friendly” version of the “Action Steps” and choose if you don’t “use” insulin. This gives you helpful action steps if you have diabetes and don’t use insulin.
8. What is gestational diabetes?
Some women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It is a shortage of insulin while a woman is pregnant. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had gestational diabetes during pregnancy is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy and is a shortage of insulin.
9. What is a normal blood glucose (sugar) number?
Whether or not a blood glucose number is considered normal depends on a number of things, including the circumstances surrounding the blood test.
A 6-hour fasting* blood glucose level below 100 is normal.
*Fasting means that the blood sample is taken after a period of time when a person hasn’t eaten, in this case, at least 6 hours after eating.
A 2-hour fasting blood glucose level below 140 is normal.
For more information see www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/NumAtGlance_Eng.pdf.
10. Is there a cure for diabetes?
No, there is currently no known cure for diabetes. However, it is usually controllable with healthy eating habits, exercise, and weight loss.
MYTH BUSTER #1 about CURE: Drinking lots of water does not wash it out of your body, as some have suggested it might.
MYTH BUSTER #2 about CURE: Insulin or other medications do not cure it; they simply help to control it.
11. What medication should I take for diabetes?
Your doctor will determine which medications are best for you. Some diabetes medicines must be taken by mouth and some are given by injection (shots) or a special pump, such as insulin.
MYTH BUSTER #1 about INSULIN: Insulin is never taken by mouth because it is useless to the body if taken in that way.
12. Do all people with diabetes take medication for it?
Not everyone with diabetes takes medication for it; but this doesn’t mean that your diabetes is not serious if you don’t take medicine for it. Healthy eating habits, exercise, and healthy weight loss can help your body use the insulin better as well as lessen your chances of developing complications. Diabetes can change over time, and at some time, you may or may not have to take a medication. Only a qualified healthcare professional can determine what is best for you.
13. What is A1C?
This is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. For more information on A1C, see the following website: www.ndep.nih.gov/Diabetes/pubs/KnowNumbers_Eng.pdf.
14. What should my cholesterol be?
LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be less than 100. If higher, follow up with your primary care physician.
HDL (“good” cholesterol) should be more than 40 for men and more than 50 for women. If lower, follow up with your primary care physician.
15. What is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of your body weight relative to your height. You can use the BMI to determine whether you are underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. For more information, see pages 8, 10 and 11 of the website www.ndep.nih.gov/Diabetes/pubs/GP_AmIatRisk.pdf.
16. What kinds of foods should I eat?
The best way to give your body the balanced nutrition it needs is by eating a variety of nutritious foods every day from these food groups:
- Grains – Go for 100% whole wheat bread, whole grain cereals, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta.
- Fruits and vegetables – Eat at least 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables every day.
- Meat, beans, and eggs – Choose leaner protein sources like chicken and turkey without skin and baked, broiled, or grilled fish. Try beans, split peas, tofu, and eggs. Limit meat to 4–6 ounces per day.
- Milk – Check out calcium-rich foods. Get 3 cups (or the equivalent) from the milk group each day. Go for items like fat-free milk and low-fat yogurt.
- Limit all portion sizes according to established guidelines and your own body’s needs.
For more information, see: the “Eat Healthy” chapter in our ActionNow! training and resource manual or www.Diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/eating_ez/#vegetables.
17. Can I eat these foods or not? Carrots? Grapes? Watermelon?
Yes, almost all nutritious foods can be included in a healthy meal plan, even for a person with diabetes. However, it is important that you take into account what else you are eating and that you eat the right amounts of a variety of fruits and vegetables.
So, yes, you can certainly eat carrots, grapes, and watermelon. It’s a matter of learning how much of each food fits into a healthy meal plan for you. Also, you should eat a proper portion size for your body’s needs.
MYTH BUSTER #1 about CARROTS and WATERMELON: By the way, carrots are not a starchy vegetable, and the portion size for watermelon is larger than for many other fruits. For more information, see www.5aday.gov/homepage/index_content.html.
18. Should I exercise and how do I start?
Yes, everyone needs to be physically active. Remember that even small steps in the right direction count up for good health. Check with your primary care physician before starting an exercise program. For tips, see pages 10–13 on the website www.ndep.nih.gov/Diabetes/pubs/GP_Booklet.pdf.
19. My doctor tells me I have a “touch of sugar” and to “watch” my sugar. What does this mean?
The meaning of these terms is unclear, even to the healthcare professionals on the ActionNow! coalition. The fact is, you either have diabetes or you don’t.
Ask for clarification from the person who says it to you. Ask for an explanation of what is meant. Examples of questions you could ask are “What can happen to me if I have, as you say, ‘a touch of sugar?’” and “How exactly would you like me to ‘watch’ my sugar?” If you still don’t understand what was meant, try asking a different qualified healthcare professional.
Also, it often helps to ask for specific advice about what would be good for you to be doing now to help prevent or delay diabetes, as well as increase your chances of better overall health for life.
20. Do parents need to worry about their children developing type 2 diabetes?
In years past, children who were diagnosed with diabetes mainly had type 1 diabetes. Currently, more and more children and youth younger than 25 years of age are developing type 2 diabetes, largely because of increasing rates of overweight and obese children along with decreasing levels of physical activity.
21. How many people have been diagnosed with diabetes?
According to the latest available data (2003–2004 Lancaster County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey), it is estimated that between 11,000 and 12,000 adults of Lancaster County have been told they have diabetes. Analysts believe that there are another 5,000 to 6,000 adults who have diabetes but have not yet been officially diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional.
For the United States, the 2005 estimate of persons with diabetes is close to 20 million, counting both diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals and including the 210,000 children estimated to have diabetes.
The population at risk for developing diabetes is much larger than those who already have diabetes. Conservative estimates based on the body mass index (BMI) indicate that it is likely that more than 50,000 adults of Lancaster County, Nebraska, are at risk for developing diabetes simply because they are overweight or obese and don’t exercise.
22. How many Lancaster County residents have pre-diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes?
Projecting from national rates, as many as 35,000 Lancaster County residents age 40 to 74 have a condition called pre-diabetes, the term for someone with elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels, but not quite high enough to classify the person as having diabetes. Persons with pre-diabetes are at high risk of developing diabetes. These and other risk factors, such as having a parent or brother or sister with diabetes, being a member of a minority race or ethnic group, or simply getting older, increase the likelihood of developing diabetes.
23. How many people are newly diagnosed with diabetes per year?
Both local and national numbers of persons with diabetes are increasing rapidly. Although estimates vary, between 800,000 and 1.3 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes yearly.
Please Note: All information found on this website is intended for general informational purposes only. It is never intended to be medical advice, including, but not limited to, the frequently asked questions (FAQs), the score explanations for the risk assessment quiz, and the prevention tips. Never substitute information found on this site for a physician’s care. Diabetes is a critically important health topic, and you should always consult your physician to personally understand the ramifications before taking any therapeutic action based on advice found here or anywhere else on the Internet or World Wide Web.
For a Diabetes Dictionary, please see the following website: www.Diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/a-z.asp. |