Treatment/ Management
What does Insulin do?
Insulin helps transport sugar (glucose) from the blood into the body, so it can be used for energy.
If your diabetes is unmanaged, what body parts can be harmed?
Eyes (blindness)
nervous system (sense of touch)
mouth
Heart
Brain (stroke)
Kidney, skin (wound healing)
T or F: Exercise reduces your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes
TRUE! Being overweight and not getting exercise make it more likely that you will get type 2 diabetes. Losing weight and being more physically active may help you prevent it.
How many people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes?
Over 9 in 10. Most people with Diabetes have Type II
T or F: Diabetes can ONLY be managed with medication
FALSE! It can be managed with lifestyle changes, such as a good diet, exercise, and cessation of smoking.
How can Type 2 Diabetes cause stroke?
Over time, excessive blood glucose can result in increased fatty deposits or clots in blood vessels. These clots can narrow or block blood vessels in the brain or neck, cutting off the blood supply, stopping oxygen from getting to the brain and causing a stroke.
T or F: Non-Hispanic White people are the most likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes
FALSE! Diabetes is more likely in people who are American Indians/Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, or Asian Americans. Non-Hispanic Blacks are almost 2 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites the same age.
Name 2 symptoms of undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes
Tingling and numbness in the fingers and/or toes, Sexual dysfunction, urinating more often.
Many people have no symptoms before being diagnosed with T2DM
How does exercise help people with diabetes?
It improves oxygen flow
It lowers insulin resistance
It regulates blood pressure
What is diabetic retinopathy? What causes this?
Fatty deposits and clots in the blood vessel of the eye.
This can lead to blindness
T or F: Type 2 Diabetes is NOT preventable
FALSE!
T2DM is preventable. Genetics, socio-economic status, and upbringing can make it harder to prevent diabetes, but NEVER impossible.
Only T1DM is unpreventable.
What does the Hemoglobin a1c determine?
Blood glucose level over time. This measurement can indicate poor or good management of diabetes
How often do T2 Diabetics need to check their feet for wounds and cuts?
Once daily, preferably at night
A common consequence of unmanaged diabetes is leg amputation. What causes this?
These conditions can cause someone to not feel when they have a wound on their foot. When the wound gets worse beyond repair or gets infection, there's a chance that foot needs to be amputated.
What is prediabetes? What metric is used to diagnose someone with prediabetes?
Prediabetes occurs when you have a higher-than-normal blood sugar, but it isn't high enough to be T2DM.
Hemoglobin a1c is used to indicate T2DM
Do all type 2 diabetics need medication to manage their condition?
Most all Type 2 diabetics need medication to manage their condition
Can Type 2 Diabetes be cured?
Take medication on time, every time
Monitor their blood sugar regularly
Exercise regularly
Eat a well-balanced diet
Name 3 forms of low-impact exercise that YOU can incorporate daily.
Walking or light jogging
Yoga or tai chi
Swimming
Chair exercises
Though Type 2 Diabetes cannot be cured, some can get to the place where they do not have to take any medications!
Name 2 lifestyle changes one can make to put their Type 2 Diabetes into remission?
Eat a well-balanced diet
Exercising regularly
Losing weight
Developing a healthy relationship with food