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What is Diabetes?Your body changes much of the food you eat to a kind of sugar called glucose. Glucose is the major source of energy for your body. Your body makes insulin to help change glucose into energy. Diabetes is a serious health condition that results when your body fails to make insulin or use insulin properly.
When you have diabetes, your body can't change glucose into energy. Some parts of your body can't get enough glucose for energy. Other parts can be harmed when exposed to too much glucose. Diabetes affects all parts of the body.
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects 30,000 Vermonters. The good news is that by working with your health care provider, and adjusting your lifestyle, you should be able to manage your blood sugar, stay healthy and lead a full and active life. Though it can be hard to stay with your program day after day and year after year, the rewards are great.
Symptoms and diagnosis of diabetes:
To know if you have diabetes, you need to have a blood test. If the level of glucose in your blood is higher than normal, you may have diabetes or a condition called pre-diabetes.
Types of diabetes:
There are three major types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes (occurs during pregnancy). Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
People with type 1 diabetes can't make any insulin themselves and must take insulin shots. Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually seen in children, but sometimes appears in adults.
People with type 2 diabetes either don't make enough of their own insulin or can't use all the insulin that they do make. Some people with type 2 diabetes can manage their blood sugar just by eating well and getting enough exercise. Others may need pills or insulin or both. Type 2 diabetes used to be called non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes.
Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy. This condition resolves when the baby is born. However, women who experience gestational diabetes have approximately a 90% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
What to do if you have been diagnosed with diabetes:
You'll help yourself live a full, normal life and reduce risks of complications when you:
- are careful about the food you eat,
- get daily exercise,
- check your blood sugar (glucose) regularly,
- take the medicine that your doctor or other health care provider prescribes, and
- see your primary care provider regularly for other tests and to check for possible problems
- get a referral a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) for help with make lifestyle changes that will help you manage this disease and prevent future health problems.
What are the outcomes of uncontrolled diabetes?
If diabetes is uncontrolled, people have a higher risk of getting heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, erectile dysfunction, and loss of feeling in their feet and legs.
What CVMC offers:
Central Vermont Medical Center Diabetes Education Program offers individual counseling and group educational sessions, all located at Central Vermont Medical Center. Coordinator: Sylvia Gaboriault, RD, CDE.
Contact Us:
To speak to a diabetes educator, call (802) 371-4152 - to make an appointment.
Other resources: National Resources:
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