Understanding Type 2 Diabetes What it means
My healthy blood glucose range is
Most of the food you eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for your body to use for energy. Your pancreas (an organ near your stomach) makes a hormone called insulin to help this glucose get into your cells.
before meals: _____ to _____ 2 hours after meals: _____ to _____ at bedtime: _____ to _____
When you have Type 2 diabetes, the cells in your body can’t use insulin the way they should. Because of this, glucose can’t get into your cells, so it builds up in your blood. If your blood glucose level on an empty stomach is high (126 mg/dL or higher on 2 separate tests) or if you have an A1C score of 6.5 or higher, you have diabetes. With Type 2 diabetes, the common treatment is healthy eating and exercise. You may also need to take oral agents (diabetes pills), inject insulin or do both.
pancreas insulin medicine problems in the cells
Even though there is no cure, you can control your diabetes!
Complications of diabetes Over time diabetes can cause serious, long-term health problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet, gums, heart and blood vessels. But this doesn’t have to happen. Taking care of yourself and controlling your blood glucose can help prevent or at least reduce these problems.
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Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
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Understanding Type 2 Diabetes Your blood glucose level Before you begin to take insulin, your blood glucose is too high (hyperglycemia). With high blood glucose you may:
• f eel very tired • feel very thirsty • have blurry vision • l ose weight without trying
• urinate often
If you feel this way, call your doctor or diabetes educator to find out what you need to do to keep your blood glucose in a healthy range. If you take diabetes medicine, your blood glucose can also get too low (hypoglycemia). Your doctor or diabetes educator can teach you how to prevent this and what to do if it does occur.
Controlling your diabetes When you have Type 2 diabetes, your goal is to keep your blood glucose in a healthy range. The best way to do this is by getting to and staying at a body weight that is healthy for you. You can manage your weight and blood glucose by:
Always wear identification (ID) that tells others you have diabetes. Ask your health care team how you can get this type of ID.
• eating the right amounts and kinds of food at the right times • doing some physical activity every day • testing and recording your blood glucose regularly • understanding and taking your diabetes medicine (if any) as prescribed If you control Type 2 diabetes, your blood glucose will improve. This can prevent health problems caused by diabetes. Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
Copyright © 2014 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.