If you, your child, or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may suddenly be bombarded with lots of information and precautions to take for the prevention of diabetes symptoms worsening. Understanding the terminology of diabetes can help you understand your diagnosis of diabetes better. Below is some basic lingo important to fully understanding diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes:

If you’re diagnosed with diabetes which is Type 1, it means that your immune system destroys insulin-making cells in your pancreas. Insulin is necessary as it helps your body’s cells make glucose for energy, and your body gets glucose from the food that you eat.

Because the body is unable to process glucose due to a lack of insulin, glucose from food doesn’t go into the cells. Consequently, there is too much glucose circulating in the blood. Such high blood glucose levels can result in both short-term and long-term health problems.

Most people who are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are children and young adults, which is why it is often referred to as juvenile diabetes. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include extreme thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, mood changes, and skin rashes.

You can live a long and healthy life with Type 1 diabetes, as long as you use a blood glucose meter to monitor your blood glucose levels, take insulin shots as needed, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Because it’s likely you have to check your glucose levels several times a day if you have Type 1 diabetes, it’s best to invest in a continuous glucose monitoring device with a flash glucose monitoring system.

Type 2 diabetes:

If your diagnosis of diabetes is for Type 2, it means that your pancreas does not produce enough insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels in the body. In the long-term, high blood glucose levels can lead to circulatory, nervous, and immune system disorders

Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Obesity, family history, age, and other conditions are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, slow healing sores, fatigue, and numbness in the feet.

With appropriate lifestyle changes and a focus on the prevention of diabetes, you can live healthily with Type 2 diabetes. Weight loss, healthy eating, exercise, and using continuous glucose monitoring devices to monitor your glucose levels will all help.

1. Blood glucose monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring refers to checking your blood glucose using blood glucose meters or continuous glucose monitoring devices. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, by testing your blood glucose levels, you can understand how different foods, medications, and activities affect your diabetes. How often you check your blood glucose levels will depend on the type of diabetes you have, your lifestyle, and your doctor’s recommendations.

2. Continuous glucose monitoring

Continuous glucose monitoring tracks your blood glucose levels day and night. A continuous glucose monitoring device works by inserting a sensor on the back of the upper arm. The sensor measures interstitial glucose level, the glucose found in between the cells. The sensor tests the glucose levels every few minutes. Sensors usually come with a reader which scans the Sensors and allows you to read them. Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre is the #1 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System trusted by nearly 4.5 million users worldwide.³⁵

3. Hyperglycemia³

Hyperglycemia describes unusually high blood glucose levels. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin. It’s present in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include tiredness, headaches, hunger, and frequent urination. It’s important to monitor your symptoms and check your glucose levels for the prevention of diabetes symptoms which can cause major health issues.

4. Hypoglycemia³⁰

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood glucose levels are lower than usual. It is also present in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, anxiety, shakiness, hunger and irritability.

5. Flash glucose monitoring system

Flash glucose monitoring systems allow you to check your glucose levels without pricking your finger. If you have a diagnosis of diabetes, this system is a better way to manage glucose levels than blood glucose meters as it lets your monitor your glucose day and night, simply by wearing a small sensor under your skin.

For more on the prevention of diabetes and continuous glucose monitoring devices, check out our other blogs and website.