Diabetes
Understanding Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of diseases that result in too much sugar (glucose) in the blood. Your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use insulin effectively.
Signs and Symptoms
- Increased thirst and urination
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Feeling very hungry
- Slow-healing cuts, wounds
- Unexplained weight loss (Type 1)
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in hands or feet
Prediabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
- Prediabetes: blood sugars are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes
- Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future
- Type 1: Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells
- Type 2: Insulin resistance and lifestyle factors
Risk Factors (Modifiable and Non Modifiable)
- Modifiable: obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, smoking
- Non Modifiable: age, family history, race or ethnic background, gestational diabetes
When to Seek Help
- Blood sugar over 300 mg/dL
- Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (fruity breath, vomiting)
- Blood sugar under 70 mg/dL
- Persistent high blood sugars
- New or worsening diabetes complications
Treatment and Management
Medications
- Type 1: Insulin pump or daily injections
- Type 2: Lifestyle changes, medications, possibly insulin
- Insulin: short acting and long acting insulin, combinations, insulin pump
- Oral Medications (i.e. metformin, sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors)
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (i.e. Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity)
Lifestyle Management
- Diet: Carbohydrate counting
- Exercise: Regular physical activity
- Monitoring: Blood sugar checks
- Weight management: Healthy BMI
Management of Complications of Diabetes
- Blood sugar: check A1c every 3-6 months
- Blood pressure: check at every office visit
- Weight loss or maintenance of healthy weight
- Regular physical activity
- Avoidance of tobacco and alcohol
- Check cholesterol every 5 years
- Dilated eye exam every year
- Complete foot exam every year
- Learn More
During Your Hospital Stay
What to Expect
- Frequent blood sugar monitoring
- Adjusted medication schedules (aligned to standard medication administration times)
- Modified meal plans
- Diabetes education
Important Information to Share with the Hospital Team
- Your usual blood sugar levels
- Current medications and doses
- Recent episodes of high/low blood sugar
- Your typical meal and exercise routine
Blood Sugar Target Ranges
Normal
80-130 mg/dL
before meals
Target
<180 mg/dL
after meals
A1C Goal
<7%
3-month average
When to Seek Emergency Help
Severe High Blood Sugar
- Blood sugar over 400 mg/dL
- Vomiting and can't keep fluids down
- Signs of dehydration
- Difficulty breathing
Severe Low Blood Sugar
- Blood sugar under 70 mg/dL
- Shakiness or trembling
- Sweating
- Confusion or irritability
- Rapid heartbeat
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures