Diabetes

I have “prediabetes” — what does this mean?

DEAR DOCTOR K: I recently had some blood tests done, and my doctor told me I have "prediabetes." What does this mean? Do I have diabetes or not?

DEAR READER: Diabetes doesn't usually appear all of a sudden. Many people have a long, slow, invisible lead-in to it called prediabetes. During this period, blood sugar levels are higher than normal. However, they're not high enough to cause symptoms or to be classified as diabetes. It's still possible at this stage to prevent the slide into full-blown diabetes.

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How does diabetes affect your kidneys?

Dictionary Series - Health: diabetes

DEAR DOCTOR K: I have Type 2 diabetes. My doctor said that kidney disease is a potential long-term complication of diabetes. What's the connection between the two?

DEAR READER: People with diabetes have elevated levels of blood sugar. Left untreated or poorly treated, diabetes can cause serious complications, such as eye, nerve and kidney damage. An important cause of all these complications is high blood sugar levels over many years. Other factors, such as high blood pressure, also contribute.

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How does diabetes affect vision?

Older man having eye examination

DEAR DOCTOR K: I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Can you explain how diabetes affects vision?

DEAR READER: Both of the common types of diabetes, Type 1 (which usually begins in childhood) and Type 2 (which usually begins in adulthood), can affect vision in several ways. After 20 years of having Type 2 diabetes, most people have eye problems. But the risk can be reduced, as I'll explain.

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What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

DEAR DOCTOR K: I take several medications for Type 2 diabetes. How can I tell if I'm becoming hypoglycemic? And what should I do if I am?

DEAR READER: Like you, many people with diabetes take medications to avoid high blood sugar. The medicines are very effective in preventing or lowering high blood sugar levels.

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What is metabolic syndrome?

High blood cholesterol

DEAR DOCTOR K: A friend recently told me about a condition called metabolic syndrome. What is it? And what can I do if I have it?

DEAR READER: Metabolic syndrome may be the most common condition you've never heard of. Many of my patients have it; nearly 50 million Americans have it -- and many of them don't know it. Metabolic syndrome is dangerous. If you have it, you have a much higher risk of stroke or a heart attack, and of developing diabetes, kidney and liver disease.

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What is age-related macular degeneration?

DEAR DOCTOR K: I was just diagnosed with dry AMD. I'd like to learn more about the condition.

DEAR READER: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that strikes at the macula, a small part of the retina that is responsible for sharp, central vision. People with AMD often develop blurred or distorted vision.

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What are low glycemic index and glycemic load foods?

Fruits and vegetables

DEAR DOCTOR K: I have Type 2 diabetes. Lately I've been hearing about low "glycemic index" and "glycemic load" foods being good for diabetics. What do these terms mean?

DEAR READER: Carbohydrates ("carbs," for short) are the major component of bread, pasta, cereals, fruit, milk, vegetables and beans. In your stomach and intestine, carbs are chopped up into sugars. Those sugars then are absorbed; they travel from the gut into the blood.

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What is diabetic neuropathy?

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DEAR DOCTOR K: I have diabetes. Lately I've had some new, unpleasant symptoms. My doctor says they're due to diabetic neuropathy. What is this? And what can I do about it?

DEAR READER: Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that results from diabetes. The most common symptoms of neuropathy are tingling, burning, other unpleasant sensations or a loss of sensation. The most common type of nerve damage from diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. It affects the peripheral nerves that extend from your spine to your arms and legs.

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Is there a relationship between sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes?

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DEAR DOCTOR K: I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Then, shortly afterward, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Could the two be related?

DEAR READER: One way they could be related is if you are overweight. The heavier you are, the greater your risk of both conditions. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It usually develops during adulthood among people who are overweight. Being overweight causes your cells to resist the effects of insulin, a hormone that drives sugar (glucose) from the blood into cells.

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