Introduction to Diabetes

Summary

Here's a positive approach to managing diabetes through better nutrition, regular exercise, daily medication, and blood sugar monitoring. Viewers learn what diabetes is as well as its symptoms and complications. They also discover how to keep it in control, reduce anxiety, and develop a healthier lifestyle.

Details

This is a “sports themed” introduction to diabetes. It features a “coach” who walks you through the steps of the “game plan” or treatment plan.

An explanation of what diabetes is and how it works

• most of the foods you eat are changed into sugar
• the amount of sugar in your blood is controlled by insulin
• insulin allows the body to move sugar from the blood into the cells, where it's used for energy.

Having diabetes means you have too much sugar in your blood.

• your body doesn't make enough insulin
• the body doesn't use the insulin correctly.

Symptoms of diabetes

• frequent urination
• fatigue
• unusual hunger or thirst
• blurred vision
• cuts slow to heal

Prolonged high blood sugar leads to damage to eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet, and blood vessels.

Diabetes is controllable, complications can be avoided or minimized.

Controlling diabetes means getting your blood sugar close to normal and keeping it there.

Explanation of target blood sugar level

Game plan includes:

• healthy eating
• exercise
• medications - pills and/or insulin injections
• skin and foot care
• blood sugar monitoring
• regular health care visits

Importance of diabetes care team, including:

• certified diabetes educators who may be registered nurses
• registered dietitians
• exercise physiologists and others.