If you’re starting 2021 with a new Diabetes diagnosis, then you are probably full of questions. There is much to learn, and it may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t worry. As you start this new journey, just know that we are here for you! It is our mission at Quest Health Solutions to provide Diabetes education for patients, healthcare providers and fellow Diabetes educators. So, take a deep breath and let’s start learning.
CREATING A SUPPORT NETWORK
The first thing you need to know is that you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are “34.2 million Americans – just over 1 in 10”1 living with Diabetes. Another “88 million American adults – 1 in 3 – have prediabetes.”1 Chances are you have a friend, co-worker, family member or acquaintance that has experience with Diabetes and can help. Developing a strong support system is the key to overcoming any obstacle in life and working through a Diabetes diagnosis is no different.
THE TERMINOLOGY
We are all familiar with the word, Diabetes, but until it impacts you or someone close to you most of us don’t pay much attention or fully understand what it even means. Here are some basic terms and definitions that are key to understanding what living with Diabetes means:
- ● Pre-Diabetes – when blood sugar level is higher than it should be but not high enough to qualify for a Diabetes diagnosis.
- ● Diabetes – “a chronic and long-lasting health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. Most food is broken into sugar, called glucose, and it is released into the bloodstream. When blood sugar goes up, it signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key and lets blood sugar into the body’s cells for energy. A person with Diabetes, either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin that it makes as well as it should.”1 There are three types of Diabetes – type 1, type 2 and gestational which only occurs in pregnant women.
- ● Type 1 Diabetes – the immune system creates antibodies that destroy insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is needed for cells to take up glucose. If insulin is lacking, as is the case with Type 1, then this raises blood glucose levels and results in Diabetes. A person living with Type 1 Diabetes requires insulin therapy because they lack the cells needed to produce insulin. Type 1 Diabetes can’t be prevented.
- ● Type 2 Diabetes – Considered to be the more common form of Diabetes, Type 2 occurs when cells in the body become more resistant to the effects of insulin, so less glucose is taken up by the cells. This raises blood glucose. Cells in the pancreas try to produce and release more insulin to overcome this resistance. Over time, the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin and blood glucose levels remain high resulting in Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented.
- ● Blood Glucose Level – also referred to as blood sugar levels. This is the standard of measurement for those living with Diabetes. Glucose is the main sugar found in blood. It is derived from food and is the body’s main source of energy. Blood carries glucose to all body cells and uses it for energy. Measuring blood glucose and staying within target is one of the biggest challenges of Diabetes. “A fasting blood sugar of less than 100 mg/dl is considered normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dl is considered prediabetes. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dl or higher occurring on two separate tests is considered Diabetes.”2
- ● Hypoglycemia – a condition that occurs when blood glucose/sugar falls too low. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dl is considered low. A blood sugar that falls below 54 mg/dl is considered dire and requires immediate action.
- ● Hyperglycemia – a condition that occurs when blood glucose/sugar is too high. Elevated levels are considered to be between 180 to 200 mg/dl. It can develop slowly over days or weeks and are cause for concern.
- ● A1C Test and A1C Levels – “the A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin – a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen – is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher the risk for Diabetes complications.”3 An A1C level below 5.7% is considered normal. Ranges between 5.7% and 6.4% are considered prediabetes and anything over 6.5% indicates Diabetes. This is an important number to watch to effectively manage and control your diagnosis.
- ● Carbohydrates – are found in a variety of foods, both healthy and unhealthy. The three most common types of carbs are starches, sugars and fiber. The body converts most carbohydrates into glucose, a type of sugar, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Carbohydrates, in addition to the total sugar content on nutrition labels, should be monitored closely.
MONITORING DIABETES
There are two main types of monitoring systems to help control and manage Diabetes.
- ● Blood Glucose Monitor (BGM) – this system became readily available in the 1970s and tests the concentration of glucose in the blood through a fingerstick to draw blood. A test strip then interacts with a digital meter to identify blood glucose levels.”4 BGMs measure glucose levels at a particular moment in time and focuses on a single number.
- ● Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) – a small electrode is placed under the skin and is held in place by an adhesive. A transmitter attached to the electrode sends data to a separate unit. With the swipe of a handheld reader, results are available in seconds. Each scan provides a current glucose reading, an 8-hour history and a trend arrow. A Continuous Glucose Monitor helps patients track daily patterns, ranges, targets and can even alert patients, healthcare providers and family members when levels are too high or too low. CGMs are also compatible with most smart devices. There are several brands on the market today, but our top pick is the FreeStyle Libre. Continuous Glucose Monitors, like the FreeStyle Libre, have also been linked to lowering A1C levels in patients who use the device.
DIABETES RESOURCES
Millions of people living with Diabetes have learned how to manage and control the disease. It takes effort, but it’s not impossible and should always be taken seriously. Through proper education and care, it can be done. At Quest Health Solutions, our mission is to create awareness and provide support and education to our patients and healthcare providers. By working together, we can all learn how to take control of Diabetes before it takes control of us. We are here for you! Whether you are a patient, a healthcare provider, a Diabetic educator or a loved one looking for more information, we are here to support you on this journey. To learn more or to find out how a Continuous Glucose Monitor can be part of the solution, contact us 1-877-888-7050 Option 3, Ext. 1011 or email ben@questhealthsolutions.com or schedule an appointment today.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020. Available at Click Here accessed on 8 January 2021.
2. Mayo Clinic. Diabetes. Available at Click Here accessed on 9 January 2021.
3. Mayo Clinic. A1C Test. Available at Click Here accessed on 9 January 2021.
4. (2020) Diabetes In Control. Is There a Future for BGM? Available at Click Here accessed on 9 January 2021.