Diabetes Education Program

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a condition in which the body’s blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. Glucose comes from the food we eat and is the body’s main source of energy. It is helped to reach the cells of the body by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Diabetes occurs when the body produces no or insufficient quantities of insulin to do this, and so glucose builds up in the blood.

The following symptoms of diabetes are typical. However, some people with diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.

Common symptoms of diabetes:

• Urinating often
• Feeling very thirsty
• Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss—even though you are eating more (type 1)
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)

Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications of diabetes.

Yes. Most private insurances, Medicare and Medicaid help cover the cost of services, including your blood glucose monitoring supplies, insulin syringes, etc.

The A1C test can be used to diagnose diabetes or help you know how your treatment plan is working by giving you a picture of your average blood glucose (blood sugar) over the past two to three months.

For people without diabetes, the normal A1C range is 4-6%. For people with diabetes, the lower the A1C value, the better the diabetes control and the lower the risk of developing complications such as eye, heart, and kidney disease. Your goal should be to have A1C values less than 7%.

Type 1: 

• When you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system mistakenly treats the beta cells in your pancreas that create insulin as foreign invaders and destroys them. When enough beta cells are destroyed, your pancreas can’t make insulin or makes so little of it that you need to take insulin to live. 

Type 2: 

• In type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly—this is called insulin resistance. At first, your beta cells make extra insulin to make up for it. Over time, your pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but is increasing in young people.

Gestational: 

• Gestational diabetes (GDM)—diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy—affects up to 9% of pregnancies in the U.S. each year, so know you’re not alone. If you are diagnosed, this doesn’t mean you had diabetes before pregnancy nor does it mean you’ll have it after giving birth. The key is to act swiftly, remain consistent, and stay on top of your condition. GDM is treatable, manageable, and something you can effectively manage. With your health care provider’s support, you can have a healthy pregnancy and baby.