Know the Diabetes Basics
When you eat, some of your food is broken down into sugar (also called glucose). The sugar travels in your blood into all your body's cells with help from a hormone called insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body may make enough insulin, but for some reason your body does not do its job of getting sugar into your cells. So the sugar stays in your blood.
If left undiagnosed or unmanaged, diabetes can lead to many health problems, including eye complications and increased risk for heart disease or stroke. The good news is many people manage their type 2 diabetes by taking medicine to lower their blood sugar and making lifestyle changes, such as improving eating habits and becoming more active.
If you're 45 or older, take a minute to talk to your healthcare professional about getting screened for diabetes.
Know the Importance of Getting Screened
Being diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes can be scary and overwhelming. The good news is that with early detection and treatment, the serious health complications of diabetes and prediabetes can be prevented or delayed.
