What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which sugar levels in your blood are high. When you eat, some of your food is broken down into sugar (also called glucose). Sugar travels in your blood to all your body’s cells. Insulin helps sugar move from your blood into your cells. Insulin is a hormone that is made by the beta cells in your pancreas.

Your cells need sugar for energy. Sugar from food makes your blood sugar level go up. Insulin lowers your blood sugar level by helping sugar move from your blood into your cells.

What happens when you have diabetes?

• your pancreas does not make any insulin, or

• It does not make enough insulin (and over time will make less and less), or 

• your body prevents the insulin you do make from working correctly 

As a result, sugar can’t get into your cells. So it stays in your blood. That’s why your blood sugar gets too high. Following your diabetes care plan helps keep your sugar and insulin in balance.  Click here for classes on Diabetes Self Management.

For more information on Diabetes Management, contact Regine Politte, MSN, FNP-BC at 573-883-2782.