Diabetes and Frequently Asked Questions


Diabetes is a complex and often confusing disease to understand.

Here we take a look at some frequently asked questions and work on answering them to help solve some of the mystery.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is “a chronic and long-lasting health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. Most food is broken into sugar, called glucose, and it is released into the bloodstream. When blood sugar goes up, it signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key and lets blood sugar into the body’s cells for energy. A person with diabetes, either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin that it makes as well as it should.”1 There are three types of Diabetes – type 1, type 2 and gestational which only occurs in pregnant women.

What is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

With Type 1 diabetes, the immune system creates antibodies that destroy insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is needed for cells to take up glucose. If insulin is lacking, as is the case with Type 1, then this raises blood glucose levels and results in diabetes. A person living with Type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy because they lack the cells needed to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented.

Type 2 diabetes is considered to be the more common form of diabetes, Type 2 occurs when cells in the body become more resistant to the effects of insulin, so less glucose is taken up by the cells. This raises blood glucose. Cells in the pancreas try to produce and release more insulin to overcome this resistance. Over time, the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin and blood glucose levels remain high resulting in diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

What are the Risk Factors for Diabetes?

“Researchers don’t fully understand why some people develop prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and others don’t. It’s clear that certain factors increase the risk, however, including:”2

  • ● Weight
  • ● Inactivity
  • ● Family History
  • ● Race or ethnicity
  • ● Age
  • ● High blood pressure
  • ● Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels

How Can I be Tested for Diabetes?

A simple blood test known as the A1C test is used to diagnose diabetes. “The A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin – a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen – is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher the risk for diabetes complications.”3 An A1C level below 5.7% is considered normal. Ranges between 5.7% and 6.4% are considered prediabetes and anything over 6.5% indicates Diabetes. This is an important number to watch to effectively manage and control your diagnosis.

What Can I do to Prevent Diabetes?

Being diagnosed with prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes or told you are at risk of developing either of the two should serve as a wake-up call. There are many things you can do before this happens and even after it happens to get things under control and to keep them that way.

  • Do your research. Search the Internet and start researching to gain better understanding. Knowledge truly is power and there are a host of resources available these days. Check out the resources at Quest Health Solutions to help you get started.
  • Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find others who are experiencing the same thing to find a network of support.
  • Start reading labels. Making sense of food labels and understanding what is in your food is the first step in managing and controlling your daily food intake.
  • Eat healthier. Choose foods that are lower in fat, sugar and calories and higher in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains and stay away from processed and packaged foods with added sugars.
  • Exercise and get more physically active. Any movement is better than no movement at all, but you should aim for 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity.
  • ● Lose extra pounds. Being overweight is a significant risk factor. If you’re overweight, losing weight can reduce the risk of diabetes.
  • Stay focused. This is not a diet or a short-term fix. Preventing diabetes requires a lifestyle change, a positive mindset and the determination to make a difference in your life.

How Can I Treat and Manage Diabetes?

Diabetes can be controlled with proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep, but at times insulin and other medications are required to help keep things under control.

Blood Glucose Monitors (BGM) and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) are two devices that can help to effectively manage diabetes. Blood Glucose Monitors have been used as a reliable method to check blood glucose since the 70s. Blood Glucose Monitors measure glucose levels at a particular moment in time and focus on a single number.

A Continuous Glucose Monitor takes glucose readings continuously with a small electrode placed under the skin, held in place by an adhesive. A transmitter attached to the electrode sends data to a separate unit or smart device and allows a patient to record and access valuable information and trends on a continual 24/7 basis. CGMs do not require fingersticks to measure glucose levels which makes monitoring easier and less painful.

What are the Complications if Diabetes is Left Unchecked?

Proper diabetes management is key because failing to control blood sugar levels and improper maintenance can put patients at a higher risk for complications. Many complications associated with diabetes can be disabling and even life threatening. It’s important to understand the complications and why proper management is vital:4

  • ● Cardiovascular problems like heart disease.
  • ● Nerve damage which if left untreated could cause loss of feeling in affected limbs.
  • ● Kidney damage which can lead to kidney failure and kidney disease.
  • ● Eye damage like cataracts, glaucoma and blindness.
  • ● Foot damage from untreated cuts and blisters can lead to serious infections and possible amputation.
  • ● Skin conditions including bacterial and fungal infections.
  • ● Hearing Impairment including hearing loss.
  • ● Depression which can affect diabetes management.

Where Can I Find Diabetes Support?

At Quest Health Solutions, our mission is to create awareness and provide support and education to our patients and healthcare providers. By working together, we can all learn how to take control of diabetes. Whether you’re a patient, healthcare provider, diabetic educator or a loved one looking for more information, we are here to support you. To learn more, contact us 1-800-993-9996, email ben@questhealthsolutions.com or schedule an appointment today. In the meantime, please continue to check our blog for more information and let us know about any topics you would like to learn more about in the future.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020. Available at Click Here accessed on 10 March 2022.

2. (2020) Mayo Clinic. Diabetes. Available at Click Here accessed on 11 March 2022.

3. Mayo Clinic. A1C Test. Available at Click Here accessed on 10 March 2022.

4. Mayo Clinic. Diabetes. Available at Click Here accessed on 11 March 2022.