Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), often referred to as diabetes, is characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that result from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin and/or effectively utilize the insulin. Diabetes is a serious, life-long condition and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism (the body's way of digesting food and converting it into energy). There are three forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that accounts for five- to 10-percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for 90- to 95-percent of all diagnosed cases. The third type of diabetes occurs in pregnancy and is referred to as gestational diabetes. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause health issues for pregnant women and their babies. People with diabetes can take preventive steps to control this disease and decrease the risk of further complications.
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- Q What is a DPP-4 inhibitor?
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A DPP-4 inhibitor is a type of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It comes in the form of a pill. DPP-4 medication can be taken alone or in a combination pill that also contains another diabetes medication called metformin. DPP-4... Full Answer
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- Q How was insulin discovered?
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In 1920, Dr. Frederick Banting investigated whether diabetes might be related to pancreatic function. Two years later, he tested an insulin extract on a 14-year-old boy with severe diabetes who was close to death. The boy responded well to the treatment,... Full Answer
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- Q Can eating sugar cause diabetes?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyDiabetes is caused by metabolic dysfunction and not by sugar. While it may be hard for you to metabolize sugar due to your metabolic condition, it is not the sugar per se that causes the condition. That said, if you lead a stress-filled life and... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of diabetes?
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Just as there are many different types of diabetes, there are many different types of diabetes symptoms. In certain types of diabetes, such as pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes, there may be no symptoms at all. In Types 1 and 2 diabetes, symptoms... Full Answer
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- Q Does type 2 diabetes run in families?
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You are at a higher risk factor for type 2 diabetes if one of your immediate family members, such as a parent or sibling, has developed this condition. Know your family medical history. Sharing this history with your doctor is an extremely important step... Full Answer
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- Q What increases my risk for diabetes?
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmacyThe risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not well understood, but a family history is believed to raise the odds of developing the disease. A number of factors can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes. These include: having a family history of... Full Answer
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- Q What is a home blood sugar (glucose) test?
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A person with diabetes uses a home blood sugar (glucose) test to measure the level of glucose in his or her blood. The test can be done on a daily basis at home or anywhere, using a small portable machine (blood glucose meter). A home blood sugar test... Full Answer
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- Q What are some healthy meals for vegetarians with diabetes?
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The following are healthy meal ideas for vegetarians: Grilled vegetable sandwich -- Slice mushrooms, onions, artichokes, tomatoes, zucchini, and/or yellow squash and cook in a little bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Then put vegetables between... Full Answer
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- Q How many servings of vegetables should I eat per day if I have diabetes?
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For good health, try to eat at least 3-5 servings of vegetables a day. This is a minimum and more is better! A serving of vegetables is: 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables or vegetable juice 1 cup of raw vegetables Full Answer
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- Q What are macrovascular diabetes diseases?
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Macrovascular complications of diabetes are those that affect the large blood vessels. Diabetes damages the lining of blood vessels, causing them to narrow, which decreases the blood supply and eventually causes injury to the affected area. When blood... Full Answer
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