What Is Diabetes?
We all need a certain amount of sugar in our bodies for energy. We get this sugar from the food that we eat. This sugar is also called "glucose." The glucose in our blood, "blood glucose" (or blood sugar) must pass into our cells before it can work to produce energy. Glucose is carried into our cells by a chemical called "insulin." We need insulin to carry the glucose from our blood into our cells in order for our bodies to produce energy.
When our bodies do not produce enough insulin to carry the blood sugar into our cells, we don't have enough energy. Because the sugar is not going into our cells it gets higher and higher in our blood. This increase in blood glucose may mean that you have diabetes. Sometimes people have called this "sugar diabetes." The actual term is Diabetes Mellitus and is abbreviated DM.
Joyce had not been feeling well for weeks. She was feeling worn out and cranky. She knew that she was supposed to lose some weight but she was just too tired to exercise. She made an appointment with her doctor, Dr. Smith, hoping that she would give her something to make her feel better. She really hoped nothing was wrong.
Dr. Smith decided to run some blood tests to help her determine what might be affecting Joyce. One of the blood tests that she ran was the blood glucose test. This test would measure the amount of glucose (or sugar) in Joyce's blood. Following these tests, Dr. Smith told Joyce that she had the signs of type 2 diabetes. Joyce was shocked, scared and confused. Joyce's Mom had diabetes and she had to take shots everyday. Would Joyce have to take shots everyday too?
Dr. Smith was now able to answer Joyce's question "Why am I tired and irritable all the time?" Dr. Smith explained that when glucose (or sugar) builds up in the blood and does not go into the cells, it can cause you to lose energy and feel run down. This is why Joyce was tired and irritable. This is also what was causing Joyce to feel like she did not have any energy.
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes:
Diet, exercise and medication play a large role in controlling type 2 diabetes
Diet:
If you have type 2 diabetes, it is very important that you learn which foods to eat. The food that you eat affects how well your diabetes is controlled.
Exercise:
Thirty minutes of exercise each day is a target goal if you have type 2 diabetes. This will help to control your weight as well as help to control the amount of insulin that your body needs.
Medications Used to Treat Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes is treated with medications that either increase the amount of insulin in the blood or lower the amount of glucose (sugar) the body makes. Injectable insulin is generally not used when starting treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Joyce met with the diabetes nurse the following week and had learned about her diet and exercise. She also learned how to track or monitor her blood sugars. Joyce was given her target blood glucose goals and told to measure her blood glucose three times a week before breakfast. Joyce was instructed to buy a blood glucose meter. She was taught how to use this and taught how to record all of her results. Taking and monitoring her blood sugar was going to help her stay in control of her diabetes
Blood Glucose Test:
The blood glucose test (also called self-monitoring of blood glucose or SMBG) is a test that you do yourself using a drop of blood and a blood glucose meter. The meter measures the amount of glucose in your blood at the time that you take the test. Your doctor will tell you what your target blood glucose goal should be. Keeping your blood glucose (blood sugar) close to your goal helps you stay in control of your diabetes and reduces your risk for future problems.
The A1C test (A-one-C test):
The A1C test is a measure of your blood glucose (blood sugar) over the past 3 months. This test is also called the hemoglobin A1C test (HgA1C). The higher the amount of blood glucose the higher the A1C. Your doctor will tell you your A1C goal, but for most people with diabetes, the target A1C goal is less than 7. This test is usually done several times a year and is done in your doctor's office.
Remember:
- Ask your doctor for your blood sugar goal. He or she will tell you what your blood sugar needs to be.
- Additionally, your doctor will give you a target weight. This needs to be monitored as well.
- Many physicians will monitor your body mass index in addition to your weight. This is abbreviated as "BMI" and is an estimate of your body fat. It is calculated by using your height and weight.
- Take your medications as prescribed even if you don't feel sick. Take them at the same time each day, know what to do if you miss a dose and know how to recognize side effects.
- Log your medications, blood sugars, exercise, weight, and body mass index in your journal.
- Keep a Personal Health Record to maintain control of your overall healthcare.
Mary Sue McAslan, Pharm.D. America's Family Pharmacist DrMarySue@americasfamilypharmacist.com
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