Understanding Diabetes

There are two simple blood tests used to diagnose prediabetes. Learn what they are, and how they measure your blood glucose.

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.

Watch this video to learn how to make healthy changes that can help delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

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.

Watch this video to learn what insulin does and why diabetes causes high blood sugar.

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.

Watch this video to learn how to make an action plan to help manage diabetes.

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.