23. How are Insulin and Diabetes pills taken?
Insulin can't be taken as a pill. You will give yourself shots every day or use an insulin pump. Insulin pumps are small machines that connect to narrow tubing, ending with a needle just under the skin near the abdomen. Insulin is delivered through the needle.
Some diabetes pills are taken once a day, and others are taken more often. Ask your health care team when you should take your pills.
Be sure to tell your doctor if your pills make you feel sick or if you have any other problems. Remember, diabetes pills don't lower blood glucose all by themselves. You will still want to follow a meal plan and Exercise to help lower your blood glucose.
Sometimes, people who take diabetes pills may need insulin shots for a while. If you get sick or have surgery, the diabetes pills may no longer work to lower your blood glucose.
Many people with type 2 diabetes do not need insulin or diabetes pills. They can take care of their diabetes by using a meal plan and exercising regularly.
24. What is an A1C test and why is it important in managing diabetes?
The A1C test, which used to be called
Hemoglobin A-1-C or H-b-A-1-C, is a simple lab test that measures your average blood glucose level over the last 3 months. Your health care provider takes a small blood sample to test your A1C.
The A1C is the best test for you and your health care team to know how well your treatment plan is working over time. The test shows if your blood glucose numbers have been close to normal or too high. The higher the amount of glucose in your blood, the higher your A1C result will be, increasing your chances for serious health problems.
You and your health care team should discuss the A1C goal that is right for you. For most people with diabetes, the A1C goal is less than 7. If your A1C number is less than 7, your care plan is probably working and your blood glucose is under good control. An A1C number higher than 8 means that you have a greater chance of eye disease, kidney disease, or nerve damage.
Lowering your A1C number -- by any amount -- can improve your chances of staying healthy. You should ask your health care provider for an A1C test at least twice a year.
25. Does Medicare help pay for services and supplies for people with diabetes?
Medicare helps pay for certain services and supplies for people with diabetes who have Medicare Part B. All require a doctor's prescription. The diabetes-related services and supplies that are covered include
- blood sugar monitor and supplies
- an A1C test, which is a lab test that measures how well your blood glucose has been controlled over the past 3 months.
Medicare covers
- dilated eye examinations to check for diabetic eye diseases
- Glaucoma screening
- flu and Pneumonia shots
- diabetes self-management training
- medical nutrition therapy services.
For more information about what Medicare covers, contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-800-MEDICARE, or 1-800-633-4227. TTY users dial 1-877-486-2048.
26. What are Clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies conducted with human volunteers to find out if a new drug or treatment is both safe and effective. New therapies are tested on people only after laboratory and animals studies have shown promising results. The Food and Drug Administration sets strict rules to make sure that people who agree to be in the studies are treated as safely as possible.
27. Why do people participate in clinical trials?
Well-conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find improved treatments and preventions for diseases. NIH-funded studies are carefully designed to answer specific medical questions while protecting participants' safety.
Also, participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.
28. How do I find more information about participating in an NIH diabetes-related clinical trial?The U.S. National Institutes of Health, through its National Library of Medicine and other Institutes, maintains a database of clinical trials at ClinicalTrials.gov.
Click here to see a list of the current clinical trials on diabetes. A separate window will open. Click the "x" in the upper right hand corner of the "Clinical Trials" window to return here.
According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Diabetes: Tests (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Diagnosis of Diabetes (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Glucose Tests (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Treatment
Intensive Insulin Therapy: Achieving Tight Blood Sugar Control (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Oral Diabetes Medicines (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Treating Type 2 Diabetes: The Oral Diabetes Drugs (Consumers Union of U.S.)
Treatments (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Prevention / Screening
Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Check-Up America: Know Your Risk, Lower Your Risk for Diabetes and Heart Disease (American Diabetes Association)
Diabetes Prevention (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Pre-Diabetes Calls for Lifestyle Changes, Medication (Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
Additional Resources & Information
HealthMadeEasy.com Articles on Diabetes
Your Guide to Diabetes - Type 1 & Type 2 (*.PDF)
American Diabetes Association
