|
1. My doctor told me I have gestational diabetes.
Does this mean that I'll have diabetes for the rest
of my life?
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a type of diabetes found
in pregnant women. While gestational diabetes increases
your risk of type 2 diabetes later in life, it does
not necessarily mean that you will have diabetes after
the baby is born.
2. What is hemoglobin A1C, and why do I need
to have it tested?
Hemoglobin A1C is a blood test ordered by your doctor.
It measures how well your blood sugar has been controlled
over the last 3 months. Good blood sugar control helps
decrease the risk of diabetes complications.
Ask for a HealthWATCH Diabetes Total Monitoring Record
to keep track of your Hemoglobin A1C.
3. I have type 2 diabetes, and I'm already
taking drugs to lower my blood sugar. My doctor says
I may need to go on insulin too. Isn't insulin only
for type 1 diabetes?
Insulin is one of the main treatments for type 1 diabetes.
However, it can also be used to treat type 2 diabetes.
In this case, it is usually used for people whose blood
sugar is not well controlled on a combination of diet,
exercise, and oral (taken by mouth) medications. Adding
insulin may help get your blood sugar under control.
4. I have type 1 diabetes, and I'm planning
a trip to Mexico. Can I take my insulin on the plane?
Yes, you can bring your insulin on the plane, provided
you follow airport regulations. Your insulin should
be stored in your carry-on baggage. This way you will
have access to it during the flight, and it will not
be lost if the airline misplaces your baggage. Store
your capped syringes or insulin pen with the insulin,
and make sure the insulin is in a container with a pharmacy
label.
These guidelines are set by the Canadian Air Transport
Security Authority (CATSA). Since you're traveling outside
of Canada, check with your airline to see whether they
have any other requirements for bringing your medication
on the plane.
5. What's the difference between type 1 and
type 2 diabetes?
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes result in high levels
of blood sugar. The difference is in how this occurs.
With type 1 diabetes, the body stops producing insulin.
Insulin helps the body's cells take sugar from the blood
and use it for energy. Type 1 diabetes is typically
diagnosed earlier in life. The main treatment is insulin,
but healthy eating is also important. About 10% of people
with diabetes have type 1.
With type 2 diabetes, the body is still making insulin,
but it either does not make as much as it did before,
or is not able to respond to insulin the way it used
to. Type 2 diabetes is usually seen later in life, although
young people can get it too. The usual treatments are
exercise, diet changes, and oral medications (drugs
that are taken by mouth). Insulin may be added if these
treatments are not effective. Approximately 90% of people
with diabetes have type 2.
|
