DIABETES BASICS:
WHAT'S ALL THIS TALK ABOUT DIABETES?

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. It is a chronic, widespread condition in which the body does not adequately produce and/or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells of the body for energy.

There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes accounts for five to ten percent of all diagnosed diabetes cases in the United States, and may be caused by factors such as autoimmune disease, genetics and/or environment.

Type 2 diabetes results from the body not producing enough insulin or not using the insulin produced adequately. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with age, obesity, family health history, history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose metabolism, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity, and accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases in the United States.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL

Prolonged elevated blood sugar levels can lead to a number of potentially serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney failure.

To reduce the risk of developing these complications, it's important to maintain target A1C levels. A1C is a measure of the average blood glucose levels over the past two- to three-month period. A1C goals should be individualized. However, in general, the American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C of less than 7 percent for most adults with diabetes. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) encourages even tighter control, recommending an A1C of 6.5 percent or less.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Talk to your doctor and discuss the options to get your blood sugar levels under control. Since every person with diabetes is different, you should speak with your doctor to determine the most appropriate plan. It is also a good idea to discuss proper diet, fitness, and other healthy lifestyle practices for people living with diabetes. For more tips, check out some additional resources here.