Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that converts sugar, starch and other food into energy. There are two major types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas stops producing insulin. This type of diabetes is common among children and young adults.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas makes some insulin, but either it is not enough or the body's cells do not use it correctly. This type of diabetes is found more commonly in adults.

Treatment for diabetes revolves around blood sugar control.

By following your treatment plan, there’s a lot you can do to live well. You can manage your condition and work with your doctor to:

• Create a personal action plan (PDF)
• Use medicines correctly
• Monitor your blood sugar with the blood sugar tracker (PDF)
• Get regular retinal eye exams
• Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods
• Quit smoking

To talk with a nurse, call us at 1-800-392-4247 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Log in to Member Secured Services and click the Health and Wellness tab for more health resources, including in-depth information about these conditions.

• American Diabetes Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International
• National Eye Institute
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders
• Michigan Diabetes Outreach Network