What diabetes is
Diabetes occurs when blood glucose is too high because the body does not make enough insulin, makes none, or does not use insulin effectively. The main types are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes means glucose levels are above normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
Symptoms and testing
Possible symptoms include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, slow-healing wounds, and recurrent infections, but many people have no symptoms. Diagnosis uses blood tests such as A1C, fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance testing, or random plasma glucose in the right clinical setting.
Daily management
Know the ABCs
A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol are often managed together to lower complications.
Create a care system
Food, activity, medicines, glucose monitoring, sleep, foot care, eye care, kidney care, and appointments all matter.
Urgent glucose problems
Questions for your team
- What are my personal glucose and A1C targets?
- How do my medicines work and what can cause low glucose?
- When should I check blood glucose?
- Which eye, foot, kidney, dental, vaccine, and heart checks do I need?
- What should I do when sick, traveling, fasting, or exercising?