mybonsecours
diabetes management
Diabetes occurs when your body has trouble using a sugar known as glucose. This is an important source of energy for cells. Our blood has two main sources of glucose – our liver and our food. Insulin, a hormone, helps sugar go from your blood into your cells. Insulin is made in your pancreas.
Insulin plays a vital role in controlling the level of sugar in your blood. If all goes well, your body produces enough insulin to make this process work efficiently and your blood sugar stays at appropriate levels.
Diabetes happens for three reasons:
- Your pancreas does not make insulin.
- Your pancreas does not make enough insulin. If this is the case, your pancreas ultimately will make less insulin over time.
- Your body prevents insulin from working effectively.
Without enough insulin, your cells cannot get the needed sugar. They are starved for energy. Unable to reach the cells, the sugar builds up in your blood. This can lead to various other health problems. That’s why diabetics must track and control blood sugar levels.
Patients suffering with diabetes may experience common diabetes symptoms like blurred vision, fatigue, frequent urination, hunger, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, thirst, sudden weight loss, sex problems and vaginal infections. These symptoms can be controled or monitored with a variety of diabetes treatments.
Scientists do not know why diabetes happens. However, intense research is underway to discover what causes it and to find new ways to treat it.
+ Read some frequently asked questions.
+ Need help managing your diabetes? Come to our outpatient education classes!
