Diabetes Association of Pierce County

 P.O. Box 110427, Tacoma, WA 98411-0427    (253) 272-5134   www.dapc.info

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is Diabetes?
• What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
• What are the Risk Factors for Diabetes?
• What is a normal blood glucose (sugar)?
• When is ...?  Under construction

    What is Diabetes?

What is diabetes?  Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that can be self-managed, but not yet cured.  It affects the way the body uses food. 

During normal digestion the body converts sugar and starches in food to a simple sugar called glucose. 

The bloodstream carries glucose to the body cells where, with the help of insulin (a hormone produced in the pancreas), it is converted into quick energy for immediate use or is stored for future use.

Diabetes mellitus develops because the body does not produce enough insulin or because the insulin it produces is ineffective.

Glucose accumulates in the kidneys and is passed off in the urine. 

Excess sugar in the urine and in the blood are classic signs of diabetes mellitus

The excess sugar coats the blood vessels and the cells and produces complications in the eye, kidney, heart, and blood vessels.

 

Type 1 (formerly called Juvenile Onset) affects 5% of people with diabetes.

It appears with abrupt onset, increased hunger, thirst, and increased urine.

 

Type 2 (formerly called Adult Onset) affects 95% of people with diabetes.

It can remain undetected for 4 – 10+ years.

It is most frequently seen in people who are overweight and/or have a family history.

Proper weight and diet will make control easier and may prevent the onset of the disease.

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What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

    Frequent Urination

    Intense Thirst

    Blurred Vision

    Slow Healing

    Stubborn Skin Rashes

    Tingling or Numbness in Feet

    General  Fatigue

    Abdominal Pain

    Nausea

    Extreme Hunger

    Rapid Loss of Weight

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Factors which increase the risk for developing diabetes:

    Family history of diabetes

Over the age of 40

Overweight

Sedentary lifestyle

Female

Having a baby over 9 pounds at birth

African American, Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander

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                                     Goals for Blood Glucose Control             Normal Blood Glucose values

                                                  for people with diabetes              for people without diabetes

Pre-meal/Fasting ............. 70-130 mg glucose /dL  ..............70-100 mg glucose /dL            

2 Hours Post-meal ... less than 180 mg glucose /dL .......less than 120 mg glucose /dL            

Bedtime .......................100-140 mg glucose /dL

Diagnostic test                              Diabetes                          Prediabetes

Fasting plasma glucose                       greater than 126 mg /dL       100-125 mg /dL

2° Post-meal plasma glucose               greater than 200 mg /dL       140-199 mg /dL

Symptoms + random plasma glucose    greater than 200 mg /dL

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1.    Material on this web site -www.dapc.info is for informational purposes only.  The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding medical conditions.  Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this web site.

2.    Diabetes Association of Pierce County (DAPC) does not monitor or endorse, and is not responsible for any agency, research project, support group, class or event except for the events in which DAPC is the sponsoring agent, e.g. Panther Day Camp, diabetes self-care workshops, and public detection screenings. 

3.    Readers may not alter the contents of any literature on the web site.  However, readers may download and make copies of literature to share with others, e.g. patients. 

4.    Selling for profit downloaded literature is prohibited.  However, readers may charge to recover the cost of printing literature they will give to others, e.g. patients.

Send mail to: DAPC; PO Box 110427; Tacoma, WA; 98411-0427, with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2012 Diabetes Association of Pierce County

Last modified: 04/10/2013 11:00 AM