Understanding how diabetes works can help keep you and your loved ones healthy.
The first thing that comes to mind for many when they hear diabetes is sugar. While sugar plays a big part in this disease, there’s a lot more to this chronic condition.
Breaking it Down
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, meaning it involves how the body breaks down food to create energy through the use of insulin, a hormone created by the pancreas.
When you eat, food is turned into a kind of sugar known as glucose. As the amount of glucose in the blood rises, beta cells in the pancreas trigger the release of insulin. This hormone acts like a key, unlocking the ability of cells to take in glucose to use for energy.
Poor lifestyle choices or a compromised immune system response can cause something to go wrong with this process, resulting in diabetes. There are two main types:
• Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, occurs when the body’s immune system incorrectly identifies and attacks the beta cells used by the pancreas to create insulin. The pancreas can no longer create insulin, which means cells can’t absorb glucose any more. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood gets dangerously high. There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes but it can be managed through a treatment plan determined by a doctor.
• Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. It happens when cells stop responding to the normal amount of insulin or the pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep up with the demand. Both situations result in blood glucose levels rising, leading to dangerous side effects. Type 2 diabetes can typically be prevented with the right lifestyle choices, including maintaining an appropriate weight, increasing physical activity and eating a balanced diet.
Unmanaged, diabetes can take a toll on your health and lead to heart disease, hard-to-heal wounds and even death. But there is good news. Both types of diabetes respond well to treatment. If you have diabetes, work with your physician regularly to monitor and control your condition.
Diabetes Glossary
A1C: test that measures blood glucose averages for the past two or three months
Dextrose: another name for glucose
Endocrinologist: a doctor who treats endocrine system disorders, including diabetes
Gestational diabetes: diabetes that occurs during pregnancy
Glycemic index: a scale that ranks foods based on how they affect blood sugar
Hyperglycemia: having too much glucose in the blood
Hypoglycemia: having too little glucose in the blood
Ketoacidosis: medical emergency caused by high levels of glucose in the blood
Polyuria: having to urinate frequently, a common side effect of diabetes
Prediabetes: when blood glucose levels are elevated but don’t qualify as diabetes
Need help managing your diabetes? Our Diabetes Support Group offers up-to-date information and peer support related to self-management of diabetes. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Liberty Rooms of Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville. For more information visit Tennova.com or contact the Diabetes Program Coordinator at 931-502-1696 or the Registered Dietitians at 931-502-1690.
This publication in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care.