Some women develop gestational diabetes during the late stages of pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had it is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin.

How is Diabetes treated?

Treatment is aimed at controlling the elevated blood glucose without causing an abnormally low glucose level (hypoglycaemia). An important aspect of your treatment plan will involve eating a healthy diet (low fat, salt and sugar and high fibre). You should also monitor your blood glucose levels.

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus is treated with insulin, exercise, and a healthy diet.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus is first treated with weight reduction, a healthy diet and regular exercise.

• In type 2 diabetes, if the above measures fail to control the elevated blood glucose, oral (by mouth) medicines are used to try to boost insulin production, improve the body’s use of it, or reduce the speed at which glucose enters the blood. Treatment with insulin will be considered if these other medicines are insufficient.

• Gestational diabetes is usually controlled by a healthy diet and regular exercise. Some women may require treatment with insulin.

Treating high blood pressure and controlling the levels of fats (lipids) in the blood are also very important in patients with diabetes as they are at greater risk than the normal population of developing serious cardiovascular diseases.

• A group of medicines known as ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are sometimes used to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular complications in diabetes and can also reduce the risk or progression of kidney and eye diseases.

Although there is currently no cure for diabetes mellitus, it can be controlled successfully with an active treatment plan. The potential benefit of pancreas transplants and islet cell transplants in type 1 patients is being investigated.

Hyperglycemia VS. Hypoglycemia

Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose (sugar), is a serious health problem for those with diabetes. Hyperglycemia develops when there is too much sugar in the blood.

Hypoglycemia: also called low blood sugar, occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) level drops too low to provide enough energy for your body's activities.

Remember you and your doctor can work together successfully to manage your diabetes. Schedule an appointment with your doctor today! A case manager is also available to assist you (Carolina Access Patient) as you manage your diabetes.

Need transportation services to your appointment? Contact the Department of Social Services to qualify @ 704 487-0669

Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

What are the signs of diabetes?

The signs of diabetes are

• being very thirsty
• urinating often
• feeling very hungry or tired
• losing weight without trying
• having sores that heal slowly
• having dry, itchy skin
• losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet
• having blurry eyesight

You may have had one or more of these signs before you found out you had diabetes. Or you may have had no signs at all. A blood test to check your glucose levels will show if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes.

What are the types of diabetes?

The three main types of diabetes are

• Type 1 diabetes (Click here)
• Type 2 diabetes (Click here)
• Gestational diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. With this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed them. Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin, making wise food choices, being physically active, taking aspirin daily (for some), and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age—even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes using diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, being physically active, taking aspirin daily, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.