Healthy Kids: Types of diabetes

Author: wink news
Published: Updated:
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Nearly 30 million Americans are living with diabetes.  Dr. Annette St. Pierre-MacKoul discusses the symptoms and types of diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetes:
  • Urinating often
  • Feeling thirsty and hungry
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Cuts / bruises that are slow to heal
  • Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
  • Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands / feet (type 2)
Types of Diabetes:
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Prediabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Gestational Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes:
  • Usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
  • Also called Juvenile Diabetes (old title).
  • 5% of people with diabetes have this type.
  • Failure of the body to produce insulin.
  • Body breaks down sugars and starches into glucose.
  • Glucose is used for energy.
  • Insulin is a hormone the body needs to use glucose correctly.
  • Treatment is with insulin, good diet and exercise.
Prediabetes:
  • High blood glucose levels and boarderline HbA1C
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • High risk of going on to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  • No clear symptoms or some of the symptoms
  • To decrease risk of progression:  loose 15 pounds and exercise moderately
Type 2 Diabetes:
  • Most common form of diabetes.
  • Body has insulin, but doesn’t use it properly = Insulin Resistance.
  • This causes hyperglycemia or high blood glucose.
  • Treatment involves lifestyle changes +/- medicine.
Gestational Diabetes:
  • Very few symptoms.
  • Important for all pregnant women to get tested for this.
  • Critical for mother and baby to be monitored.
Diagnosing Diabetes:
  • 3 Lab Tests
  • Hemoglobin A1C
  • Fasting blood glucose
  • Oral glucose tolerance test
Merck, The American Diabetes Association and Tim McGraw’s Challenge:
  • Create a Hemoglobin A1C goal.
  • Work to reach your goal.
  • Fact: 1/3 adults are not at their A1C goal.
  • Awareness and Education:  diet, exercise, lifestyle changes.

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