Diabetes

Living with diabetes

Diabetes develops when your body can’t produce or properly use a hormone called insulin, which helps cells take in and use blood sugar as energy. As a result, blood sugar levels become too high. The main types of diabetes are type 1 Type 1 diabetes: Also known as juvenile diabetes, usually occurs in children. People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is typically managed with insulin injections. , type 2 Type 2 diabetes: Tends to develop in adults, particularly in people older than 40 who are overweight and don’t exercise. People of color are at greater risk for this disease. It also runs in families. People with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells don’t respond to it. Some people can manage their type 2 diabetes by losing weight and exercising. Others may need medication (pills and/or insulin) to control their blood sugar levels.  and gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes: Develops during pregnancy. It may go away after the baby is born, but the mother is at higher risk for developing diabetes in the future. .

Common diabetes symptoms include thirst, frequent urination and weight loss, although you can have diabetes and not know it. That’s why talking to your doctor if you are at risk for diabetes is important.

Our doctors, nurses and other health care professionals understand what it means to live with diabetes, and we want to help you stay healthy. If you have diabetes, we’ll work with you, your primary care provider (PCP) and your other doctors to help you manage your diabetes.

Additional resources

Read our Living better with diabetes guide for information about: checking your blood sugar, medicines, healthy eating, tests and screenings, getting active, foot care and coping and support.

For more information about diabetes, visit our Online Health Guide (link opens outside Tufts Health Plan's website). 

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Page modified on: 6/14/2016 3:04:48 PM