- Diabetes
- Take Time To
Care For Yourself ... For Those Who Need You
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes changes the way your
body uses food. In your body, the food you eat turns to sugar.
Your blood takes this sugar all over the body. Insulin helps
get sugar from the blood into the body for energy. Your body
does not get the fuel it needs, and your blood sugar stays high.
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High blood sugar can cause heart
and kidney problems, blindness, stroke, the loss of a foot or
leg, or even kill you.
The Good News ... You Can Manage
Diabetes
Types of Diabetes
Type 1--The body does not produce any insulin. People
with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to stay alive.
Type 2--The body does not make enough, or use insulin
well. Most people with diabetes have type 2.
Some women get diabetes when they are pregnant. |
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Watch What You Eat and Get Exercise
There is no one diet for people
with diabetes. Work with your team to come up with a plan for
you. You can eat the foods you love by watching serving sizes.
Carbohydrates raise your blood sugar the most. The "Nutrition
Facts" label on foods can help. Many packaged foods contain
more than 1 serving. The foods we eat are made up of: Carbohydrates
(fruits, vegetables, breads, juices, milk, cereals and desserts)
Fats, Protein, Cholesterol, Fiber (fruits, vegetables, beans,
breads, and cereals)
Be active at least 30 minutes
a day most days of the week. Exercise helps your body's insulin
work better. It also lowers your blood sugar, blood pressure
and cholesterol.
Use Medicines Wisely. Sometimes people with diabetes need to
take pills or take a shot (insulin). Be sure to follow the directions.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist what your medicines do,
when to take them, and if they have any side effects. Have your
doctor, pharmacist or nurse report serious problems with medicines
or medical devices to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
Check Your Blood Sugar and
Know Your ABCs
Help prevent heart disease and
stroke by controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Make a plan with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Check your blood sugar using
a meter (home testing kit). This tells what your blood sugar
is so you can make wise choices. Ask your doctor for an A-1-C
(A-one-see) blood test. It measures blood sugar levels over 2-3
months.
Talk to your health team about
your ABC's:
Women and Diabetes
In the U.S., 9.1 million women
have diabetes and 3 million of them don't even know it. Women
who have diabetes are more likely to have a miscarriage or a
baby with birth defects. Women with diabetes are more likely
to be poor which makes it harder to manage the disease.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Women with diabetes are more
likely to have a heart attack and have it at a younger age. Most
people with diabetes die from heart attack or stroke.
Are You at Risk for Diabetes?
Are you overweight?
Do you get little or no exercise?
Do you have high blood pressure (130/80 or higher)?
Do you have a brother or sister with diabetes?
Do you have a parent with diabetes?
Are you a woman who had diabetes when you were pregnant OR have
you had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth?
Are you African American, Native American, Hispanic, or Asian
American/Pacific Islander?
If you answered yes to any of
these questions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you
need a diabetes test.
Warning Signs
- Going to the bathroom a lot
- Feeling hungry or thirsty all
the time
- Blurred vision
- Lose weight without trying
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to
heal
- Feeling tired all the time
- Tingling/numbness in the hands
or feet
Most people with diabetes do
not notice any signs. |
