What is Diabetes? A Simple Guide for Newly Diagnosed People
The Basics: What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a health condition that affects how your body uses sugar. Sugar (also called glucose) gives energy to your body. It's like gasoline for a car.
For sugar to get into your cells and give them energy, you need something called insulin. Insulin is like a key that opens the door to your cells so sugar can get in.
Your pancreas (an organ in your body) makes insulin.
Diabetes happens when:
Your body doesn't make enough insulin
Your body can't use insulin well
Or both things happen
When this occurs, sugar stays in your blood instead of going into your cells. Too much sugar in the blood can cause health problems.
The Main Types of Diabetes
There are different types of diabetes. The most common are type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes
What happens in your body?
In type 1 diabetes, your immune system (which normally protects you from sickness) attacks your pancreas cells by mistake. It destroys the cells that make insulin. Then your body stops making insulin completely.
Important things you should know:
Who gets it? It can happen to children, young people, and adults. We used to think only kids got it, but now we know it can start at any age.
How common is it? Between 5 and 10 out of every 100 people with diabetes have type 1.
What do you need to do? People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day to live. Insulin comes in shots or in a small pump.
Signs you might have type 1 diabetes:
You drink lots of water because you're always thirsty
You go to the bathroom a lot
You lose weight without trying
You feel very tired
Your vision gets blurry
Type 2 Diabetes
What happens in your body?
In type 2 diabetes, your body makes insulin, but it doesn't use it well. It's like the key (insulin) doesn't open the door to your cells very well. Your pancreas tries to make more insulin, but over time it gets tired and makes less.
Important things you should know:
Who gets it? It used to only happen to older adults. Now it also happens to young people and even kids. This happens more when there is extra weight and not enough physical activity.
How common is it? Between 90 and 95 out of every 100 people with diabetes have type 2. It's the most common type.
What increases your risk?
Being overweight
Not exercising
Having family members with diabetes
Being over 45 years old
High blood pressure
Abnormal cholesterol
How is it treated? You can control type 2 diabetes with:
Healthy food: Eating well and not eating too much
Exercise: Moving more every day
Medicine: Pills or shots if your doctor recommends it
Check-ups: Measuring your blood sugar
Good news: Many people with type 2 can improve a lot or even control their diabetes if they make big changes in how they live. Especially if they start early!
Other Types of Diabetes
Pregnancy Diabetes (Gestational):
Only happens during pregnancy
Usually goes away after the baby is born
But it increases the risk of getting type 2 later
Prediabetes:
Your blood sugar is higher than normal
But it's not high enough to be diabetes
It's a warning sign
You can prevent it from becoming diabetes if you change your lifestyle
Why Does Each Person Need a Different Plan?
We're all different. Two people with diabetes might need different things. That's why you work with a team of doctors who help you.
Your team can include:
Doctor: Checks you and tells you what medicines to take
Diabetes educator: Teaches you how to take care of yourself each day
Nutritionist: Helps you eat well
Nurse: Helps you with your medicines
Other specialists: Eye doctor, foot doctor, etc.
Your team makes a plan just for you. They think about:
What type of diabetes you have
Your age
How you live
What you like to do
What other medicines you take
Easy Tips to Take Care of Yourself
1. Learn About Diabetes
Read about your type of diabetes
Ask all the questions you have
There are no silly questions
Look for information in your language from trustworthy places
2. Measure Your Blood Sugar
Learn to use your meter
Your doctor will tell you when to measure
Write down your numbers
This helps you see how your diabetes is doing
3. Eat Well
You don't need special food
Just eat healthy
Eat lots of vegetables
Eat fruits, but not too many
Limit sweets and junk food
Control how much you eat
A nutritionist can help you
4. Move More
Try to exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
It can be walking, dancing, swimming, or playing
Exercise helps your body use sugar better
Find something you like to do
5. Take Your Medicines
Take your medicines exactly as your doctor says
Don't change how much you take without asking
Learn to store your medicines correctly
If you use insulin, keep it cold
6. Go to the Doctor Regularly
Go to your appointments (usually every 3-6 months)
Get blood tests
Check your eyes every year
Check your feet every year
Get your vaccines
7. Take Care of Your Feelings
It's normal to feel sad, angry, or scared
Talk to your family and friends
Look for support groups
If you feel very bad, talk to a counselor
Your mental health is very important
8. Prepare for Emergencies
Learn what to do if your sugar drops too low
Always have juice, candy, or glucose tablets
Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you have diabetes
Teach your family what to do in emergencies
Your Goals: What Numbers Are Good?
Your doctor will tell you what YOUR numbers should be. But here are examples of common goals:
A1C (3-month average): Less than 7%
Fasting sugar: 80-130
Sugar 2 hours after eating: Less than 180
Blood pressure: Less than 140/90
Bad cholesterol (LDL): Less than 100
Remember: Your doctor might give you different numbers. These are just general guides.
What Can You Achieve With Diabetes?
Good news! With the right care you can:
Keep your sugar at good numbers
Avoid health problems
Live a normal and happy life
Do everything you like to do
Reach your dreams
Millions of people live well with diabetes. You can too!
Your Next Steps
Here's what you can do now:
Talk to your doctor about diabetes
Write down your questions before going to the doctor
Find a diabetes educator in your area
Join a support group
Look for help in your community (free clinics, assistance programs)
Keep a diary of what you eat and your sugar numbers
An Important Message For You
Getting a diabetes diagnosis can be scary. But you're not alone.
Millions of people around the world have diabetes and live normal, happy lives. You can too.
Diabetes doesn't say who you are. You are so much more than your diabetes. But how you take care of yourself can change your future.
Every good thing you do counts:
Every healthy meal
Every walk
Every time you check your sugar
Every medicine you take on time
It all adds up. Each day is a new chance to take care of yourself.
Places Where You Can Learn More
Your local health department
Your community clinic
Public libraries (many have free classes)
Important Words From This Article
Glucose: Another name for the sugar in your blood
Insulin: The hormone that helps sugar get into your cells
Pancreas: The organ that makes insulin
A1C: A test that shows your average sugar from the last 3 months
Prediabetes: When your sugar is high but not diabetes yet
Note: This article is just for learning. It doesn't replace talking to your doctor. Always ask your medical team about YOUR diabetes.
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