1. What is pre-diabetes?
2. What are the differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes?
3. Who gets type 2 diabetes?
4. How can I help and encourage my mother who has diabetes to take care of herself?
1. What is pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes occurs when the blood glucose is higher than normal, but not as high as the diabetes range. This means there is a risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is still possible to lower the blood glucose level to normal range through weight loss and moderate physical activity.
2. What are the differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes?
- Type 1 diabetes is called insulin-dependent diabetes and is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. It’s a lifelong condition, in which the body does not make insulin, so insulin must be taken every day. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise.
- Type 2 diabetes is called non-insulin dependent diabetes. It is the most common type of diabetes (about 9 in 10 with diabetes have type 2). It used to be referred to as adult-onset, but it can be diagnosed at any age, even in childhood. In type 2 diabetes, the body makes insulin, but the insulin doesn’t work properly in the body and glucose doesn’t get to the cells. This is called insulin resistance.
3. Who gets type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is more common in people over 45 and the risk factor continues to increase with age. People who are overweight are much more likely to develop diabetes. It’s also more common in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians.
4. How can I help and encourage my mother who has diabetes to take care of herself?
- Make sure she follows her meal plan. She should see a nutritionist or have her doctor recommend guidelines. There are also cookbooks and recipes online that are diabetic-friendly: low in sugar, fat, and simple carbohydrates; rich in vegetables, healthy grains, and lean proteins. And it’s not just what she eats – but how much and when. Smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day are better than three large squares.
- Moving Matters. She should exercise at least three times a week. (As should everyone – and that goes for you, too!) A 20-minute daily walk even makes a big difference. If she does slip up and has a big, carb-loaded meal, walking can help lower her blood sugar.
- Keep track of her blood glucose. She should test her blood regularly.
- Keep up on medications. Make sure she’s taking her diabetes medications exactly as prescribed.
