Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder of sugar (carbohydrate) metabolism caused by deficiency or ineffectiveness of your body's insulin. Following a meal, insulin is normally secreted in order to prevent the increase in blood sugar levels from the carbohydrate you have just eaten. When insulin is effective it enables sugar in your bloodstream to get into the muscles and other body tissues where it can be used as fuel for energy. If this does not occur, the marked elevation of sugar concentration in the blood may cause excess urination, blurry vision and infections. When blood sugar is elevated for years it may cause damage to your eyes, heart, kidneys and feet. It is important for you to know if you have diabetes and to learn how to keep blood sugar at a safe level, to prevent these complications.

How Do I Know If I Have Diabetes?

Some people will not feel any different. Others will have one or more of the following symptoms:

frequent urination increased thirst feeling tired increased hunger vaginal infections

unexplained weight loss dry, itchy skin numbness or tingling in hands or feet blurry vision cuts or sores that do not heal well

What Should I Do If I Have Symptoms Of Diabetes?

See a doctor for a blood test. If your blood sugar is too high, your doctor will tell you how to lower it.

I Feel OK So Should I Bother With Treatment Now?

Even if you do not feel sick your body may be slowly damaged from diabetes. You may not feel any symptoms until it is too late and the damage to your eyes, feet, kidneys or heart is serious. We know that treatment to lower blood sugar can prevent many of the complications of diabetes.

Will I Have To Take A Shot?

Not everyone with diabetes has to take insulin shots. Often the disease can be controlled by diet, exercise and pills. But some people cannot make enough insulin and must take insulin shots. Insulin cannot be taken in pill form. It must be injected. Your health care provider will tell you if you need insulin or diabetes pills. If shots are necessary, our Certified Diabetes Educators can teach you to give your own shots and help you to overcome your reluctance to take shots.

How Will I Know If My Blood Sugar Is In A Safe Range?

The only way to know is to do a blood test. You can learn to test your blood sugar at home. Your doctor or diabetes educator can teach you how to do this.

Will I Have To Give Up The Foods I Love To Eat?

Just about any food can be part of a healthy diet. Starchy and sweet foods (even fruits) raise blood sugar quickly. High fat foods may increase the risk of heart disease. Too much food can cause weight gain and being overweight increases the risks of diabetes. People with diabetes must learn to balance how much and how often they eat the foods that they love, in order to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.

In general, people with diabetes should do the following:

• lose weight, if you are overweight, by eating and drinking less
• eat at least three times a day and eat smaller-moderated sized meals instead of larger meals less frequently
• do some exercise each day. Dietitians help people with diabetes learn how food and exercise affect their blood sugar.

How Do I Learn More About Diabetes Care?

• Speak with your doctor.
• Ask to speak with a Diabetes Educator. These are usually nurses or dietitians who specialize in teaching people about diabetes.
• Contact:

  • The Joslin Center for Diabetes at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center:
    (212) 523-8353

  • Roosevelt Outpatient Medical Clinic:
    (212) 523-6056

  • St. Luke’s Outpatient Medical Clinic:
    English: (212) 523-4403
    Spanish: (212) 523-4751
  • RBeth Israel's Diabetes Club:
    (212) 420-4412
  • Beth Israel's Diabetes Management Program:
    (212) 420-3949

  • American Diabetes Association:
    (212) 725-4925
    
    

The material contained in this document was prepared to provide basic information.
Questions concerning its application to your particular case should be directed to your physician.