All About Diabetes

All about insulin

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body control the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Your body gets energy by making glucose from food. But it needs insulin to use the glucose. If you don’t have enough (or any) insulin in your body or your body can’t properly use it, you’ve got a problem.

Types of diabetes: Are you a type 1 teen or a type 2?

 
  • My pancreas does not produce insulin.
  • Glucose builds up in my blood instead of being used for energy.
Fast fact: Type 1 diabetes is NOT caused by eating too much sugar and is NOT preventable. The exact cause of type 1 remains unknown.
Type 1 Diagnosis:
Most people with type 1 are diagnosed before they reach 30, usually as a child or teen.
Type 1 Treatment:
  1. Diabetes management
  2. Insulin therapy: you’ll be getting your insulin by syringe, pen or pump.
  
  • My pancreas does not produce enough insulin OR
  • My body does not properly use the insulin it makes.
  • Glucose builds up in my blood instead of being used for energy.
Type 2 Diagnosis:
Type 2 diabetes may be diagnosed at any time in a person’s life.
Type 2 Treatment:
  1. Diabetes management
  2. Your doctor may prescribe insulin or other medications, depending on how your body responds to diabetes management.

Symptoms of diabetes:

  • You’re super thirsty
  • You have to pee all the time
  • You’re gaining or losing weight
  • You’re way tired and have no energy
  • Your vision is blurry
  • You seem to get infections all the time
  • When you get a cut or bruise it takes forever to heal
  • Your hands or feet tingle

Are you hyper or hypo?

Hypoglycemia means your blood glucose level is too low. Hyperglycemia means your blood glucose level is too high. Remember: Hypo is low. Hyper is high.


Nick Jonas and Bayer team
up to fight diabetes
Pop star Nick Jonas sees his type 1 diabetes as an opportunity instead of an obstacle. Now he's teamed up with Bayer to help young people with diabetes achieve their simple wins - and live their dreams.
How often do you check your blood glucose each day?
6 or more times
4-5 times
2-3 times
Once or less
Are you managing your diabetes?
1. Do you check your blood glucose level as many times a day as your doctor recommends you should? (Question 1 of 5)

Yes
No