Measure Your Diabetes Risk © 2014 sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, A SANOFI COMPANY All rights reserved...

Measure Your Diabetes Risk

© 2014 sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, A SANOFI COMPANY All rights reserved Printed in the USA US.NMH.14.06.043

© 2014 sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, A SANOFI COMPANY All rights reserved Printed in the USA US.NMH.14.06.043 Do not copy. Do not distribute. Do not leave behind.

What Is Diabetes?

S=sugar, I=insulin

• Diabetes affects the way your body uses food

• When you eat, food is turned into sugar or glucose - This glucose makes energy in your body

• Insulin (produced by your pancreas) opens your cells to allow the glucose to enter

• If your body does not make enough insulin or if the insulin doesn’t work the way it should, glucose can’t get into your cells. It stays in your blood instead. Your blood glucose level then gets too high, causing prediabetes or diabetes

Blood sugar and insulin are normally in balance


The 2 Types of Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes – The body no longer produces insulin, so the sugar cannot move into the cells to become energy

• Type 2 diabetes – The body doesn’t produce enough insulin and/or cannot use it well enough to get the blood sugar into the body’s cells for energy

In both situations, blood glucose builds up in the body and can lead to• Nerve damage and pain (neuropathy)• Kidney disease (nephropathy)• Eye disease that can lead to blindness (retinopathy)

These may result in premature death.

S=sugar, I=insulin


The Importance of Controlling Blood Sugar

It is important for people with diabetes to get their blood sugar under control and keep it that way to reduce the risk of serious health problems (neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy).

• Things that affect blood sugar levels:– Food raises blood sugar– Exercise lowers blood sugar– Diabetes medicine (pills or insulin) lowers blood sugar


How Blood Sugar Is Measured1. Blood sugar monitoring

Finger stick test− Done 1 or more times a day − Shows the blood sugar level at that moment

Blood sugar goals for people who have diabetes

2. A1C test− Draw blood and have it sent to a lab (a few times a year)− Shows average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months− Goal: Less than 7% for most patients. However, your individual goal may be

more or less depending on your age and/or health history. Some seniors may have a goal of less than 8% depending on health history.

− 1% reduction in your A1C level can lower your risk of many diabetes complications by 40%

Before meals 70 to 130 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)

2 hours after the start of a meal Less than 180 mg/dL


Be Aware of Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

• Low blood sugar (less than 70 mg/dL) occurs when blood sugarlevel drops too low to provide enough energy for the body’s activities

• Symptoms can include:– Nervousness − Dizziness– Drowsiness − Feeling anxious– Confusion − Sweating


How to Treat Hypoglycemia

Raise your blood glucose level quickly by eating or drinking something in the form of a sugar or simple carbohydrate

•3 to 4 glucose tablets •½ cup (4 oz) of regular soda (not diet)•2 tablespoons of raisins•4 teaspoons of sugar

If you experience hypoglycemia, check your blood glucose every 15 minutes until it is above 70 mg/dL

• ½ cup (4 oz) of juice• 4 or 5 saltine crackers• 1 tablespoon of honey or corn syrup


Be Aware of Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)

High blood sugar occurs when a patient’s body has too little insulin or when the body can’t use insulin properly. • Causes:

– Type 1 Diabetes– Not enough insulin– Type 2 Diabetes – Low insulin level or the body is not

using insulin properly– Improper dosing of prescribed medication– Too much food– Too little exercise– Stress from an illness, such as cold or flu

• The signs of hyperglycemia are often difficult to detect but include:− Frequent hunger – Weight loss− Frequent thirst – Frequent need to urinate− Fatigue – Blurred vision


Eating With Diabetes“Create Your Plate” helps you to eat a variety of nutritious foods and understand portion sizes at each meal. This will help you balance your blood sugar level and better manage your diabetes.


Beverages You Should Drink

What do you drink when thirsty?Beverages can make a difference in your blood glucose level and weight.


Benefits of Exercise for People With Diabetes

• The potential benefits include:– Weight control– Controlling blood sugar– Improving strength, balance, and flexibility– Reducing the risk of falling

• Check with your health care provider before starting or changing an exercise regimen


Protect Your Skin

• Keep skin clean and dry

• Use moisturizing soaps when bathing

• Moisturize your skin to prevent chapping,especially in cold or windy weather

• Treat cuts right away


Protect Your Feet• Check your feet every day• Wear shoes and socks. Do not walk barefoot• Protect your feet from hot pavement or the sand on the beach• Make sure your shoes fit correctly• Wash your feet regularly• Rub lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet but

not between their toes• Trim toenails when needed• Don’t use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets

on your feet• Try to put your feet up when sitting


Medication for Type 1 Diabetes – Insulin

There are several ways you may take insulin:

• By injection– Using a vial and syringe or an insulin pen

• Using an insulin pump– Small machine worn outside of the body

• Using an insulin jet injector– Looks like a large pen


Medication for Type 2 DiabetesPeople with type 2 diabetes may take medicationin the following ways:

• Pills

• Insulin


Thank you for your participation.

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Measure Your Diabetes Risk © 2014 sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, A SANOFI COMPANY All rights reserved...

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