What is Diabetes? (Type 2)

Outline for the videotape "What is Diabetes? (Type 2)", from The American Association of Diabetes Educators Patient Education Video Series, produced by Milner-Fenwick, Inc., copyright 2000.

**Funded through a grant from the Friends of the University of Michigan Hospitals. **

  1. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form
    1. Usually occurs in adults greater than 40 years old
    2. Frequency in children and teens is increasing
    3. Risk is increased if overweight
    4. Diabetes results when too much sugar builds up in the bloodstream

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  2. How the body normally uses sugar
    1. Food is changed to glucose (sugar) which is used by the cells for energy
    2. Insulin is needed to allow glucose to get into the cells
    3. Insulin is produced by the body to keep blood sugar in normal range of 60-120
    4. With diabetes, help is need to keep blood sugar in normal range because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, cannot use the insulin it has efficiently or doesn’t produce insulin soon enough after eating
    5. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) develops when the glucose has nowhere to go

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  3. Symptoms of Diabetes
    1. Fatigue
    2. Blurred vision
    3. Frequent urination
    4. Thirst
    5. Some people may have no symptoms

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  4. Long Term Complications may develop due to damage to large and small blood vessels
    1. Poor circulation
    2. Heart attack
    3. Stroke
    4. Blindness
    5. Kidney failure
    6. Nerve damage
    7. Amputation
    8. Can decrease your risk by keeping blood sugar levels under control

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  5. Develop a Treatment Plan with your diabetes care team
    1. Healthy food choices
    2. Exercise
    3. Medication, if necessary
    4. Monitoring your blood sugar

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  6. Healthy Food Choices
    1. Develop a meal plan with your dietitian
    2. Food Guide Pyramid
    3. Need to develop permanent healthy eating habits
      1. Total carbohydrates count
      2. Control portion sizes
      3. Choose foods low in fat, e.g. skim milk, low fat margarine or yogurt, lean meat, skinless chicken or fish, bake / broil / steam / or microwave food instead of frying
      4. Eat at the same time each day with the same amount of food in each meal.

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  7. Exercise
    1. Benefits: manages blood sugar, decreases weight, decreases risk for heart disease
    2. Aerobic exercise 3 times per week, e.g. walking, cycling, swimming
    3. Find an activity you like and stick with it; work exercise into your daily routine

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  8. Medication
    1. Some people may need medication if blood sugar is not controlled by diet and exercise alone
    2. Diabetes care team will work with you to determine which is best for you
      1. Pills to help your body make insulin or use it better
      2. Insulin injections

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  9. Blood Sugar Monitoring
    1. Shows how the treatment plan is managing your blood sugar levels
    2. Types
      1. Self-Testing – finger pricks and glucose meter
      2. Diabetes Care Team will draw blood for Hemoglobin A1C test twice per year

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  10. Important to maintain your overall health
    1. Poor blood sugar control increases risk for long-term complications
    2. Maintain good skin and foot care since infections will heal slowly
    3. Heart health
      1. keep blood sugar in your target range
      2. keep cholesterol and blood pressure in a normal range
      3. stop smoking
    4. Eye exam every year
    5. Good dental care

Following your treatment plan will help you feel better today and lead to a better quality of life. It is an investment in your future.

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