Comprehensive Diabetes Education Material

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a health condition where your blood sugar (glucose) stays too high for a long time. Sugar comes from the food we eat, and it gives our body energy. A hormone called insulin, made by the pancreas (an organ near the stomach), helps move sugar from the blood into the cells to be used as energy. In diabetes, either:

• The body doesn’t make enough insulin, or

• The body can’t use the insulin properly.

When this happens, sugar builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells. Over time, high blood sugar can harm the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and feet.

Main types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 diabetes: The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells that make insulin. The body makes little or no insulin. It usually starts in children or young adults, but can happen at any age. People with type 1 need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

2. Type 2 diabetes: The most common type (about 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have this). The body still makes insulin, but it doesn’t work well (called insulin resistance), or the pancreas can’t make enough over time. It usually develops slowly in adults, but more young people are getting it now because of extra weight and less activity.

3. Gestational diabetes: Happens during pregnancy when hormones make the body resist insulin. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but it raises the chance of getting type 2 diabetes later for both mom and baby.

4. Prediabetes: Blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes yet. It’s a warning sign—if you make healthy changes, you can often prevent full diabetes.

Common signs of high blood sugar:

• Feeling very thirsty

• Needing to pee a lot

• Feeling tired all the time

• Blurry vision

• Cuts or sores that heal slowly

• Unexplained weight loss (more common in type 1) Many people with type 2 have no signs at first.

How is Diabetes Diagnosed?

Doctors use simple blood tests to check your sugar levels:

1. A1C test: Shows your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months.

• Normal: below 5.7%

• Prediabetes: 5.7%–6.4%

• Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

2. Fasting blood sugar test: Done after not eating for at least 8 hours.

• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher

3. Oral glucose tolerance test: You drink a sweet liquid, and blood sugar is checked 2 hours later.

• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher

4. Random blood sugar test: Can be done any time. If it’s 200 mg/dL or higher plus clear symptoms, it can diagnose diabetes.

Pregnant women are usually tested between 24–28 weeks of pregnancy.

How is Diabetes Treated?

The goal is to keep blood sugar in a healthy range to avoid problems.

• Type 1: Must take insulin every day (by injection, pen, or pump). People learn to count carbs in food and match insulin doses.

• Type 2: Often starts with healthy eating and exercise. If that’s not enough, pills (like metformin) are added. Some people later need insulin.

• Gestational: Usually managed with healthy food, exercise, and checking blood sugar. Sometimes insulin is needed.

Everyone with diabetes benefits from:

• Checking blood sugar regularly (finger pricks or continuous monitors)

• Medicines for blood pressure and cholesterol if needed

• Regular eye, foot, and kidney check-ups

Risk Factors (Things That Make Diabetes More Likely)

Some you can’t change:

• Family members with diabetes

• Age (risk goes up after 45 for type 2)

• Certain ethnic backgrounds (higher risk in African, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian people)

Some you can change:

• Being overweight (especially around the belly)

• Not being active

• Unhealthy eating

• Smoking

• Having high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol

• History of gestational diabetes or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

Healthy Lifestyle Changes (Very Important for All Types)

These changes can prevent type 2, help control any type, and sometimes put type 2 into remission (blood sugar normal without medicines):

1. Eat better:

• Lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein (chicken, fish, beans)

• Healthy fats (nuts, avocado, olive oil)

• Cut down on sugary drinks, sweets, white bread, and fried foods

• Watch portion sizes

2. Move more:

• Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days (brisk walking, swimming, dancing)

• Add strength exercises (lifting light weights or body-weight exercises) twice a week

3. Lose a little weight if needed:

• Even losing 5–10% of body weight (example: 10–20 pounds if you weigh 200) can make a big difference

4. Other helpful habits:

• Quit smoking

• Get 7–9 hours of sleep

• Manage stress (yoga, deep breathing, walks)

• Drink alcohol only in small amounts or not at all

• Take good care of feet and teeth

Small, steady changes are better than trying to do everything perfectly at once.

50 Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What does insulin do in the body? A. Raises blood sugar B. Helps sugar enter cells for energy C. Stops hunger D. Makes you sleepy Correct answer: B

2. Which type of diabetes usually starts in children or young adults? A. Type 2 B. Gestational C. Type 1 D. Prediabetes Correct answer: C

3. What is a common early sign of diabetes? A. Feeling very thirsty B. Gaining weight quickly C. Sleeping too little D. Having more energy Correct answer: A

4. Which blood test shows average sugar over 2–3 months? A. Fasting test B. Random test C. A1C test D. Urine test Correct answer: C

5. An A1C of 6.5% or higher means: A. Normal B. Prediabetes C. Diabetes D. Low sugar Correct answer: C

6. To do a fasting blood sugar test, you should not eat for how long? A. 2 hours B. At least 8 hours C. 24 hours D. No need to fast Correct answer: B

7. People with type 1 diabetes must take: A. Only pills B. Insulin every day C. Nothing D. Only exercise Correct answer: B

8. What is often the first medicine given for type 2 diabetes? A. Insulin B. Metformin C. Vitamins D. Antibiotics Correct answer: B

9. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after: A. Taking pills B. The baby is born C. Losing 20 pounds D. One year Correct answer: B

10. Being overweight is a bigger risk for which type? A. Type 1 B. Type 2 C. Gestational only D. No type Correct answer: B

11. If a parent has diabetes, the child has higher risk for: A. Only type 1 B. Only type 2 C. Both type 1 and type 2 D. No risk Correct answer: C

12. Not moving much every day increases risk of: A. Type 1 diabetes B. Type 2 diabetes C. Lower blood sugar D. Better health Correct answer: B

13. Walking briskly for 30 minutes most days helps: A. Raise blood sugar B. Make insulin work better C. Cause weight gain D. Make you thirsty Correct answer: B

14. How many minutes of activity per week is recommended? A. 50 minutes B. At least 150 minutes C. 300 minutes D. None Correct answer: B

15. A healthy plate for diabetes should have lots of: A. Candy and soda B. Vegetables C. Fried foods D. White rice only Correct answer: B

16. Prediabetes means blood sugar is: A. Too low B. Higher than normal but not diabetes yet C. Always becomes type 1 D. Normal Correct answer: B

17. High blood sugar over time can damage the: A. Hair B. Kidneys C. Fingernails D. Ears only Correct answer: B

18. A continuous glucose monitor helps: A. Check blood pressure B. See blood sugar all the time C. Measure weight D. Count steps Correct answer: B

19. Pregnant women are usually tested for diabetes around: A. Week 5 B. Weeks 24–28 C. After birth D. Never Correct answer: B

20. Smoking makes diabetes complications: A. Better B. Worse C. Disappear D. No change Correct answer: B

21. High blood sugar is called: A. Hypoglycemia B. Hyperglycemia C. Normal D. Low energy Correct answer: B

22. About how many people with diabetes have type 2? A. 1 out of 10 B. 9 out of 10 C. All of them D. None Correct answer: B

23. Hormones during pregnancy can cause: A. Type 1 diabetes B. Gestational diabetes C. Lower risk D. No change Correct answer: B

24. Sudden weight loss without trying is more common in: A. Type 2 B. Type 1 C. Gestational D. Prediabetes Correct answer: B

25. In the glucose tolerance test, 140–199 mg/dL after 2 hours means: A. Diabetes B. Prediabetes C. Normal D. Low sugar Correct answer: B

26. Insulin pumps are most often used by people with: A. Type 2 B. Type 1 C. Gestational D. No diabetes Correct answer: B

27. Losing 5–10% of body weight can: A. Hurt blood sugar control B. Help blood sugar a lot C. Cause diabetes D. No effect Correct answer: B

28. Strength exercises (like lifting light weights) should be done: A. Never B. Once a month C. At least twice a week D. Every hour Correct answer: C

29. Counting carbs in food helps people who take: A. Insulin B. Only vitamins C. No medicine D. Antibiotics Correct answer: A

30. Stress can make blood sugar: A. Go down B. Go up C. Stay exactly the same D. Disappear Correct answer: B

31. Getting enough sleep (7–9 hours) helps: A. Raise blood sugar B. Control blood sugar better C. Cause weight gain D. Make you thirsty Correct answer: B

32. Quitting smoking helps lower the risk of: A. Heart problems in diabetes B. Better vision C. More energy drinks D. Nothing Correct answer: A

33. Healthy fats are found in: A. Soda B. Nuts and avocado C. Candy D. Chips Correct answer: B

34. Checking your feet every day prevents: A. Better walking B. Serious foot problems or amputation C. Weight loss D. Thirst Correct answer: B

35. Regular eye check-ups help catch: A. Vision problems early B. Tooth problems C. Hair loss D. No issues Correct answer: A

36. Type 2 diabetes often develops: A. Suddenly overnight B. Slowly over years C. Only in babies D. Only after age 80 Correct answer: B

37. Blurry vision can be caused by: A. High blood sugar B. Too much exercise C. Drinking water D. Sleeping well Correct answer: A

38. If blood sugar is very high, wounds may: A. Heal faster B. Heal slowly C. Disappear D. Not matter Correct answer: B

39. Drinking water instead of soda helps: A. Raise blood sugar B. Keep blood sugar steadier C. Cause thirst D. No difference Correct answer: B

40. Family history increases risk for: A. Only type 2 B. Only type 1 C. Both main types D. Neither Correct answer: C

41. The Mediterranean diet includes plenty of: A. Sweets B. Vegetables and healthy fats C. Fast food D. Sugary drinks Correct answer: B

42. Small steady changes in habits are: A. Not helpful B. Better than trying to change everything at once C. Too slow D. Harmful Correct answer: B

43. Diabetes educators help people: A. Learn to manage diabetes daily B. Do surgery C. Only take pills D. Avoid doctors Correct answer: A

44. Some people with type 2 can reach remission by: A. Healthy changes and weight loss B. Doing nothing C. Eating more sugar D. Smoking Correct answer: A

45. High blood pressure along with diabetes increases risk for: A. Better health B. Heart and kidney problems C. Weight loss D. No issues Correct answer: B

46. Brisk walking is an example of: A. No exercise B. Moderate activity good for diabetes C. Harmful movement D. Sleeping Correct answer: B

47. Portion control means: A. Eating as much as you want B. Watching how much food you put on your plate C. Only eating once a day D. Never eating carbs Correct answer: B

48. Many people with type 2 diabetes at first have: A. No symptoms B. Always weight loss C. Constant pain D. Very low sugar Correct answer: A

49. Checking blood sugar regularly helps you: A. Know if changes are working B. Eat more sweets C. Skip exercise D. Ignore diet Correct answer: A

50. Tingling or numbness in feet can be a sign of: A. Nerve damage from diabetes B. Too much walking C. Normal aging only D. Better blood flow Correct answer: A