When you are newly diagnosed with diabetes, there are many terms that might be new to you. It may be confusing when your doctor is talking to you about your condition and management of this very common but serious disease. There are a few terms that you should be aware of, so when you are learning how to manage your diabetes with your doctor or nutritionist, you can focus on taking charge of your health.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2. It is when the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Someone with type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections. Genetics and exposure to certain viruses predisposes one to type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
There are different types of diabetes, and type 2 is when the body is not using insulin efficiently enough to break down the sugar or glucose you are taking in. Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, are not as physically active as they should be and are older.
Fasting Blood Sugar
This is a blood sugar test that you take in the morning prior to eating. It can be taken at a lab, or you can take it with a machine called a glucometer. A normal fasting blood sugar is between 70 and 130.
A1C
This is also known as Hemoglobin A1C. This is a test that measures your average blood sugar over three months. Your goal is to have a hemoglobin A1C of less than seven.
Hypoglycemia
This is a term for blood sugar that is lower than normal. Persons whose blood sugar is too low may have symptoms. Low blood sugar left untreated can be a potentially dangerous situation. If you are on medications that lower blood sugar, you should know how to treat a hypoglycemic reaction either with high-sugar food or medication. A normal blood sugar reading is between 80 and 140.
Hyperglycemia
This is a term for high blood sugar. If you have high blood sugar, it can lead to eye, kidney and vascular complications, among others. If you have extreme, consistently high blood sugar, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to death.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter the cells and provide energy to muscles and tissue. It is produced by the pancreas, which is a gland. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is not producing enough insulin, or the body is resistant to it.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes Overview
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: What I need to know about diabetes medication
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: If you have diabetes you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke
- Mayo Clinic: Hypoglycemia
- Mayo Clinic: Type 1 Diabetes Causes
