Diabetes and Insulin
To fully understand diabetes risk factors and treatment options, it is important to first understand what the pancreas is and how it is related to diabetes.
The pancreas is a flattened gland located deep in the abdominal cavity. It is a vital part of the digestive system and plays an important role in regulating the blood sugar level. It is made up of tens of thousands of different types of cells. One type of cells, B cells, is responsible for the secretion of insulin; a protein hormone which regulates blood sugar levels by playing an important role of promoting carbohydrate (starch) metabolism Normal insulin secretion is continuous, and its secretion is closely related to meal time. Blood sugar increases significantly 2 hours after meals, insulin secretion also increases to prevent excessive blood sugar. About 2 hours after a meal, blood sugar will slowly drop to the level before the meal and insulin will also slowly start to decline. If this regulatory mechanism is disrupted or not working properly, diabetes will appear.
Types of Diabetes and Risk Factors
There are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes:
- Understanding what diabetes is, the signs and symptoms, the risk factors, and treatment
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet
- Developing good lifestyle habits, including exercising regularly
- If you have family members diagnosed with diabetes, you should have an annual physical examination after the age of 35
- If you do not have family members with diabetes, you should have annual physical examination after the age of 40
You may not know that you have diabetes!
Many people do not show any signs or symptoms in the early stages of diabetes, making it difficult to self-diagnosis. Also, many people do not recognize signs and symptoms that could be linked to diabetes. This is one of the reasons it is important to have an annual check-up.
Content by Dr. Kendall Ho, Emergency Physician
Common signs and symptoms
Top 10 Emergency Symptoms for Diabetes
Living With Diabetes
Top Ten Tips for Managing Your Diabetic Medications
- Don’t start/stop any medications before speaking to a health professional first.
- Majority of medications are to be taken with food.
- Check with your pharmacist for any other special instructions on when to take your tablets.
- Maintain a routine to take your medication at the same time every day.
- Consider blister packing if you take many medications.
- Have a list of your medications handy.
- Know the names of your medications, what they are for and what they look like.
- Check with a pharmacist or physician before starting any herbal/aruyvedic medications.
- Be travel conscious.
- Return any unused or discontinued old medications to the pharmacy
Top Ten Tips for Diabetics that Travel
- Make a list of your medications.
- Take enough supplies for 7 days in your carry on in case you lose your luggage or have delayed access to it.
- Make sure you get a letter from your doctor indicating you are taking insulin.
- Inform your airline that you require a diabetic meal.
- While travelling, drink enough fluids and avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or avoid it all together.
- Take your latest test results with you
- If you visit a doctor while travelling, bring back all the details and results of any tests done during the visit.
- Don’t change your medication without the approval of a qualified medical doctor.
- If you are taking any complimentary medication, let your medical doctor know.
- Remember to adjust your doses of medication if your activity or diet has changed during your trip.
Both my mother and eldest brother have type II diabetes. I am currently 37 year old, love exercise, and am healthy. What are the chances that I will develop type II diabetes as well?
I am a diabetic patient and am about to have inguinal hernia surgery. My doctor told me to fast for 12 hours prior to surgery. Would I still be required to take my diabetic medications?
I am 75 years old and have been diagnosed with diabetes for 30+ years now. My vision is deteriorating and I have been having trouble with cutting my toe nails. I heard there are professionals that would provide toe nails cutting service. Would the cost be paid by the government?
I am a diabetic patient. I recently started suffering from a cold and loss of appetite. During the cold, should I continue to take my diabetic medication with the usual dose like normal?
I am 47 years old with diabetes. Recently I experienced blurry vision, should I be seeing an eye doctor?
Why do diabetic patients need to pay special attention to kidney function? How do we check for kidney function? Are bubbles in my urine a sign of kidney deterioration?
Are diabetes and heart attack associated?
Once I have been diagnosed with diabetes, will I always have diabetes?
If the paternal family has a history of diabetes, can the children avoid diabetes through healthy lifestyle?
Usually people who develop diabetes are overweight, but are there people who are skinnier and develop diabetes? Why aren’t they fat?
Are there any mental conditions that cause diabetes? Such as an unexpected sudden mental shock.
Can type II diabetes be cured? The Spirit Happy Company published their “Reverse Diabetes Cure” report online. Can change in diet cure diabetes? Are they trustworthy and what is the attitude of the medical profession towards such reports?
Will taking cortisone affect blood sugar level?
Will taking diabetic medication long-term be harmful to the stomach or kidney?
Does the BC medical insurance subsidize the purchasing of insulin pumps?
I want to know if I have diabetes; can I go directly to a clinic to check?
If my blood sugar level is borderline diabetic, how do I prevent myself from developing diabetes?
If I am testing my blood sugar level once a day or minimizing the amount of testing, what time of the day would be the best to test for blood sugar level?
Where can I find family physician specializing in diabetes in Victoria?
With type II diabetes, do I need to control my body weight?
What should a healthy non-diabetic person be aware of to prevent or avoid the risk of developing diabetes?
Why does accumulation of fat around the waist increases the risks of developing diabetes?
Why does alcohol trigger low blood sugar rather than high blood sugar?
Will drinking beer increase the chance of developing diabetes?
How do I know how much to eat per meal?
What is the maximum daily intake of salt for a diabetic person?
Honey versus artificial sweeteners, which one is more suitable for diabetics?