Living With Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism -- the way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Understanding Blood Sugar
1. High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia) Blood sugar control is at the center of any diabetes treatment plan. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is a major concern and can affect people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
2. Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) People with diabetes get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when their bodies don't have enough sugar to use as fuel. It can happen for several reasons, including diet, some medications and conditions, and exercise.
3. Blood Sugar Levels for Adults With Diabetes See medical guidelines for blood sugar levels with diabetes.
4. Continuous Glucose Monitoring Continuous glucose monitors are FDA-approved systems that track your blood sugar levels day and night. Learn how they work and who might benefit from using one.
5. How and When to Test Your Blood Sugar Most people with diabetes need to check their blood sugar (glucose) levels regularly. The results help you and your doctor manage those levels, which helps you avoid diabetes complications.
6. How to Handle an Insulin Overdose Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, happens to many people with diabetes. Thankfully, most episodes related to insulin can be avoided if you follow a few simple rules.
7. Diabetic Shock and Insulin Reactions An insulin reaction is a health risk for anyone with diabetes. It can occur anytime there is an imbalance between the insulin in your system, the amount of food you eat, or your level of activity.
Diet & Exercise for Diabetes Management
1. Carbs, Fiber, and Diabetes When you watch your diet because you have diabetes, you'll want to pay special attention to carbohydrates, because they can affect your blood sugar level faster than protein or fat.
2. Understanding Food and the Glycemic Index The glycemic index gives you a way to tell slower-acting "good carbs" from the faster "bad carbs." You can use it to fine-tune your carb-counting and help keep your blood sugar more steady.
3. Optimal Serving Sizes for Diabetes Confused about how much you can eat when you have diabetes? First you need to know how much food is in a serving. It may be different from what you expect.
4. Diabetes and Alcohol Drinking alcohol can cause your blood sugar to rise. Learn other effects of alcohol on diabetes, and how to drink safely.
Better Living
1. Planning a Pregnancy With Diabetes Starting a family requires a bit more planning when you're a mother-to-be with diabetes. But you can take some simple steps to make sure your pregnancy and your baby are safe and healthy.
2. Managing Sick Days With Diabetes An illness can boost your blood sugar, so it's important to stay on top of your glucose levels. Learn tips for managing your diabetes despite being sick.
3. Caring for Your Skin With Diabetes Diabetes can dry out your skin. That means you could get injured more easily, be more likely to get an infection, and take longer to heal. Follow these tips to care for your skin and keep it healthy.
4. 6 Simple Skin Care Tips Diabetes makes you more likely to get a wide range of skin problems. But you can do a lot to keep yours healthy. These simple tips can help.
5. Foot Care for Diabetes If you have diabetes, it is important to check your feet once a day and protect them from cuts, corns, blisters, and injuries.
6. Support for Living With Diabetes Looking for organizations that provide information that can help you manage your diabetes? You may want to start with these groups.
Preventing Complications
1. How Diabetes Affects Your Body Diabetes can take a toll on nearly every organ in your body. Learn how it affects your heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and more.
2. Avoiding Complications of Diabetes Diabetes can cause a lot of complications that can affect nearly every organ in your body. Learn what you can do to prevent these problems.

Common Conditions

Resources

Find & Review

Tools

Drug Basics & Safety

Diet, Food & Fitness

Beauty & Balance

Living Well

All About Pregnancy

Parenting Guide

Pet Care Essentials

Health News

Experts & Community

Diabetes Health Center

Related to Diabetes

Health Solutions

More from WebMD