Understanding Diabetes

This is a set of tests we use to find out if you have diabetes, or to find out if you are developing the disease. We may screen you if you have certain risk factors. We may screen you if you have symptoms of the disease. Let's see what screening is about.

Learn how setting small goals toward making healthier food choices and becoming physically fit can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Making healthy food choices is very important when you have prediabetes. Watch this video to understand which kinds of fats, carbohydrates and meats to select when you need to improve your blood glucose levels.

Controlling the amount of food we eat is important to our overall health. Learn tips and strategies for managing portion sizes when cooking for yourself and when dining out.

Being physically active is important to your overall health, especially if you have prediabetes. See how regular exercise helps you manage your weight, and helps to reduce your chances for developing type 2 diabetes.

Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as being physically active and eating healthy are the best ways to manage your prediabetes. Learn when medication may be needed, and the importance of taking it as prescribed.

Changing your eating and lifestyle behaviors is challenging and often frustrating. Watch this video to learn how supportive friends, family members and healthcare team members can help make these changes easier for you.

If you have prediabetes, you can take immediate steps to keep it from getting worse. You may be able to reverse it completely. If you don't, you could develop type 2 diabetes. Improving your health will reduce your risk for diabetes and its severe complications.

If you aren't as healthy as you should be, type 2 diabetes is something to worry about. That's a disease you can develop, especially later in life, if you don't take care of your health. It can cause damage to your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and other body parts.

Learn the definition of hypoglycemia, and how your body reacts to it.

Learn the definition of hyperglycemia, and the signs and symptoms of it.

Watch this clip to learn about Hemoglobin A1c.

Watch this clip to learn about neuropathy and how it can affect your body.

Watch this to learn what retinopathy is.

Watch this to learn about a possible complication of diabetes called nephropathy.

Watch this to learn about diabetes burnout.

Watch this to learn how changes in your hormone levels can affect your blood sugar level.

Watch this to learn some key areas of your management plan to help you manage your diabetes.

Watch this to learn if you are at risk for diabetes.

Taking control of your diabetes will help you head off the complications that can come with it. You can reduce your risk of heart attacks, stroke, damage to your kidneys and nerves, and loss of vision by keeping your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure in check. A diabetes educator can help you find the best ways to eat healthy, be active, monitor your blood sugar, take medication, solve problems and cope in a healthy way.

Having diabetes does not mean you have to give up your favorite foods or stop eating in restaurants. In fact, there is nothing you can't eat. But you need to know that the foods you eat affect your blood sugar or blood glucose. By eating regular meals, thinking about the amount and types of food you eat, you can better control your diabetes and prevent other health problems.

Being active is an important part of being healthy, and not just by helping you lose weight. Activity gets your heart rate up, burns calories and strengthens your muscles and bones. That, in turn, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, improves blood pressure and can improve your mood by lowering stress and anxiety.

Like many people with diabetes, you may need to take medication to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) level steady. Diabetes increases your risk for other health conditions, such as heart or kidney related problems, so you may need to take medicine to help with those, too.

When you have diabetes, your body doesn't properly manage blood sugar (glucose), its main source of fuel. To keep your blood sugar level on target and avoid problems with your eyes, kidneys, heart and feet, you may need to take medication. But you also need to monitor your blood sugar to see if it's too high or too low, so that you can get it back on track and prevent long-term health problems.

Life is filled with stress from traffic jams to more serious issues such as divorce or money problems. Add in the challenges of managing diabetes, and stress sometimes can feel overwhelming. It's important to find healthy ways to cope because having a lot of stress can increase your blood sugar levels. There are many healthy ways to cope with stress so you don't turn to harmful habits such as smoking, overeating, drinking alcohol or being less active.

This disease makes it hard for your body to use blood glucose (also called "blood sugar"). That's what your cells use for energy. With diabetes, blood glucose builds up in your bloodstream. This leads to serious health problems.

When you have type 1 diabetes, your body can't process blood sugar. Too much sugar in your blood can cause serious health problems. Watch and learn more about type 1 diabetes and how to stay healthy.

Making sure your blood sugar is under control is key to managing your type 1 diabetes. It will also help you stay healthy. This video explains how to test your blood sugar and give yourself insulin. It also tells you what problems to watch for.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease caused by the immune system. But your child can learn things to do to manage diabetes and live a normal life.

Here's how to mix 2 types of insulin in the same shot. One type is usually a shorter-acting insulin, which looks clear. The other is an intermediate-acting insulin, which looks cloudy.

If your child has type 1 diabetes, you're a key part of their care. It's an important job. You need to know about things like glucose, insulin and healthy diets. At first, this feels overwhelming. But don't worry. You'll quickly become an expert.

Giving yourself an insulin shot takes some practice. But you can do it. Here's how.

The first step in handling hypoglycemia is knowing the warning signs. They can be different for everyone. So take note of your own symptoms.

This disease, once called "juvenile diabetes," is a problem with the way your body converts food to energy. It happens when your immune system attacks and destroys islet cells in the pancreas. These cells produce insulin, a hormone used to process blood glucose.

Type 2 diabetes requires careful management. If you've been recently diagnosed, you will most likely need to make some lifestyle changes. A more active and healthy lifestyle can help you avoid the serious complications linked to diabetes.

Your diabetes management plan is key to taking control of your blood glucose levels. Learn what is included in a plan, and how it can help you manage your diabetes every day.

Find out how to make the most of your diabetes care visits to help you learn more about your diabetes self-management.

Learn how small, positive changes in your lifestyle can lead to a lifetime of better blood glucose control.

Watch this to learn small steps to keep your blood sugar in check.

Understand how regular A1C blood tests can help you know whether or not your diabetes management plan is working.