A TeachingResourceGuide

Part 1 of 2

Diabetes: What it is and why it happens

• Diabetes is a condition that causes sugar levels in your blood to be high

• When you have diabetes:• Your pancreas does not make insulin, or• It does not make enough insulin, or• Your body prevents the insulin you do make from working right• As a result, sugar can’t get into your cells, so it stays in your

blood• That’s why your blood sugar

gets too high

Taking care of your diabetes

• Diabetes can cause problems. But diabetes-related problems don’t have to happen

• Millions of people live long, full lives with diabetes

• You can be one of them

• Taking care of yourself and managing your blood sugar is the key

Your diabetes care: it’s a team effort

• You are not alone when it comes to managing your diabetes• You may have a team of healthcare professionals working

with you• You may also have family members or friends for help and

support• But the most important member of the team is you• As the captain of your team, you need to:

• Learn as much as you can about diabetes in general• Know as much as possible

about your diabetes and your health

Your diabetes care plan should include:

• A meal plan• A physical activity plan• A plan for how often you should check

your blood sugar• Your personal blood sugar goals• When to take your diabetes medicines• A schedule for regular checkups• Other health goals

“The key to diabetes management is getting educated about diabetes and realizing that this disease is controllable.”

–Karen R., South Carolina

Diabetes care schedule

• Daily:• Check blood sugar as recommended

by your diabetes care team • Every 3 months:

• Regular office visit• A1C test (if blood sugar is

not stable)• Blood pressure check• Weight check• Foot check

• Every 6 months:• A1C test (if blood

sugar is stable)• Dental exam

Diabetes care schedule

• Every year:• Physical exam• Comprehensive foot exam• Blood fats and cholesterol

tests (more often if not at goal)• Kidney tests• Dilated eye exam• Flu shot

“I’ve learned to be proactive in my own care and to educate myself. It is never too late and might just give you more years to enjoy with life.”

–Cheryl K., Maryland

Checking your blood sugar

• Why:• Checking your blood sugar yourself

is often the best way to be sure your diabetes is under control. It tells you:

• If your insulin or other diabetes medicine is working

• How physical activity and the foods you eat affect your blood sugar

• Based on your care plan, you may want to test when:

• You wake up• Before meals or large snacks• 1 or 2 hours after meals or large snacks• Before and 15 minutes after physical activity

Keeping a blood sugar diary

Target blood sugar levels for people with diabetes

Goals for People With Diabetes

A1C Less than 7%

Before meals 70 – 130 mg/dL

2 hours after meals Less than 180 mg/dL

Adapted from the American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2009. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(suppl 1):S13-S61.

Insulin: a medical breakthrough

• People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to control blood sugar

• People with type 2 diabetes who take insulin may find that they have more flexible eating and activity schedules

What are the different types of insulin?

• Rapid-acting:• Controls blood sugar surges

at mealtime

• Long-acting:• Controls blood sugar between

meals and during sleep

• Premixed:• Combines rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin• Controls blood sugar at mealtime and all day and night

What is an insulin plan?

• Your plan will help you take insulin the way your body would make it if you did not have diabetes

• Your plan tells you:• What type of insulin to take• How much insulin to take• When to take insulin

• Your plan is based on:• When and how much you eat• Your current blood sugar level• Your level of physical activity• Your lifestyle

Injecting insulin

• How:• Insulin pen• Syringe filled from a bottle of insulin• Insulin pump

• Where:• Abdomen • Thighs• Backs of the upper arms

“With the insulin pen, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…The pen technique has brought me more freedom to take care of my diabetes.”

–Mayra A., New Jersey

Storing insulin

• Follow the instructions on the insulin label• Keep unopened insulin containers in

the refrigerator• It’s usually okay to store insulin at

room temperature once it’s been opened, but check the label to make sure

• Don’t let insulin become too hot or too cold• Keep insulin out of bright light and sunlight• Do not use insulin after the expiration date on the label