Diabetes FAQs

Please click on a question below:

• What causes diabetes?
• Who can get diabetes?
• What are the symptoms of diabetes?
• Am I at risk of getting diabetes?
• Can diabetes be prevented?
• What is hemoglobin A1c
• How often should I check my blood sugar?
• What is insulin resistance?

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which your body is unable to properly use and store glucose (a form of sugar). Glucose backs up in the bloodstream -- causing your blood glucose or "sugar" to rise too high. The specific causes of diabetes depend on the type of diabetes that you're diagnosed with.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes) happens when your body completely stops producing any insulin, a hormone that enables your body to use glucose found in foods for energy. Diabetics with this type of diabetes must take daily insulin injections to survive. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but can occur at any age. Insulin-dependent diabetes may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (also called adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes) happens when the body has issues properly converting food into energy, because it doesn't produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes usually occurs in people who are over 40, overweight, and have a family history of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops in women during pregnancy when they are not able to produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes usually begins in the second trimester, and goes away after the baby is born. While the exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, it's believed by some scientists that the hormones produced during pregnancy may block the action of insulin. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but disappears when a pregnancy is over. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. In some studies, nearly 40% of women with a history of gestational diabetes developed diabetes later in life.

Other Types of Diabetes

Other types of diabetes result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses. Such types of diabetes may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Back To Top

Who can get diabetes?

Anyone can get diabetes. However, there are certain factors that can make you more at risk for diabetes. People who have close relatives with the disease are somewhat more likely to develop it. The risk of developing diabetes also increases as people grow older. People who are over 40 and overweight are more likely to develop diabetes. So are people of African-American, Hispanic or Asian heritage. Also, women who develop diabetes while pregnant (see gestational diabetes above) are more likely to develop other types of diabetes later in life.

Back To Top

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

While severity of symptoms can vary, many diabetics may experience some or all of these symptoms of diabetes:

• Blurry vision
• Fatigue (feeling weak, tired)
• Frequent urination (having to go to the bathroom too much)
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Increased thirst
• Skin infections
• Slow healing wounds/cuts
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain (not related to eating habits)

In some cases, there are no diabetes symptoms -- this can happen with type 2 diabetes. In this case, people can live for months, even years without knowing they have the disease. In a recent study, American Diabetes Association estimated that 5.2 million Americans have diabetes and don't even know it.

Back To Top

Am I at risk of getting diabetes?

A recent study estimated that approximately 41 million American have pre-diabetes. People who have pre-diabetes usually exhibit elevated blood sugar levels, but are still able to process sugars known as glucose, the energy that powers the body's cells. American Diabetes Association believes that 58% of individuals with pre-diabetes are capable of avoiding diabetes or delaying its onset provided they recognize the diabetes risk factors and take proper measures to take care of their body.

Support Plus Medical is a leading provider for free diabetic supplies. In an effort to educate the community about pre-diabetes, we have provided a list of diabetes risk factors:

• Family history of diabetes
• Low activity level
• Poor diet
• Excess body weight
• Age
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol levels
• Impaired Glucose Intolerance
• Gestational Diabetes
• Ethnic Heritage

Everyone over the age of 45 should get their blood glucose levels checked every three years for early detection of diabetes. Individuals who match some or all of the diabetes risk factors should consult with their doctor for recommendations on testing for diabetes.

Back To Top

Can diabetes be prevented?

Maybe someday. A study being conducted at Joslin Diabetes Center and several other sites nationwide are screening the immediate relatives of someone with type 1 diabetes. Doctors can now identify those who will develop this type of diabetes as much as five or more years in advance.

While Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, we still do not understand it very well. Recent diabetes research does suggest that there are some things you can do to reduce the type 2 diabetes risk factors. Eating right and exercising can address some of the risk factors that are not genetically inherited or related to age. There is a diabetes research study is now underway to see if type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Changes in lifestyle, (more exercise and weight loss), and certain diabetic medications are being tested together to see if by eliminating these risk factors, type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

Back To Top

What is hemoglobin A1c?

Hemoglobin A1c is a test that indicates the average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. If you have diabetes, you should have this test done regularly to see whether your blood sugar levels are staying within a target range. You can take a blood sample with a home testing kit and send the sample to a lab for testing, or you can be tested at your doctor's office.

Back To Top

How often should I check my blood sugar?

You should check your blood sugar levels two or more times a day, and keep them as close to normal as possible or within the range recommended by your doctor. It's a good idea to keep a log so you can track progress and determine the effect of diet and activity on your blood sugar levels.

You should also get regular A1C tests to determine your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. Most people with Type 2 Diabetes should aim for an A1C of 7% or lower. Ask your doctor how often you need to get an A1C test.

Back To Top

What is insulin resistance?

If you have pre-Diabetes or Diabetes, you may have heard of the term insulin resistance. Insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome as it is also called, describes a cluster of health problems that indicate an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and early heart disease. As many as 70 to 80 million Americans may have the combination of conditions caused by insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome.

Normally, food is absorbed into the bloodstream in the form of sugar such as glucose. When the amount of sugar increases in the bloodstream, the pancreas increases the secretion of a hormone called insulin. Insulin attaches to cells and removes sugar from the bloodstream so that the body can convert it to energy.

In insulin resistance, the body's cells have a reduced ability to react to insulin. To compensate for the insulin resistance, the pancreas secretes more insulin.

Over time, people with insulin resistance can develop high sugars or Diabetes as the high insulin levels can no longer compensate for elevated blood sugar levels.

Back To Top