Common Questions About Diabetes

1.) What are the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

People with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin because their pancreas doesn’t work for one reason or another. People with type 2 diabetes don’t respond to insulin as well as they should and later in the disease often don’t make enough insulin.

2.) Why is it so important for diabetics to receive a flu shot?

Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. … Flu vaccination is especially important for people with diabetes because they are at high risk of developing serious flu complications. This is because diabetes can make the immune system less able to fight infections.

3.) My parents both have type 2 diabetes; does this mean I will develop type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can be hereditary. That doesn’t mean that if your mother or father has (or had) type 2 diabetes, you’re guaranteed to develop it; instead, it means that you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

4.) Can diabetes be prevented?

Yes! You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with proven, achievable lifestyle changes even if you’re at high risk by eating a healthy well-balanced diet, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Also, prediabetes in many cases can be reversed with these same lifestyle changes.

Your primary care provider will be happy to answer any and all questions you have regarding diabetes. Diabetes education is provided in Forks Community Hospital’s associated medical clinics. Call Lucritia Stansbury for more information 360-374-6998 ext. 821.

Lucritia Stansbury, RN

Care Coordinator

Disclaimer: This column is not intended as a diagnosis or recommended treatment of a specific condition. Answers are not a replacement for an individual medical evaluation. Individual health concerns should be evaluated by a licensed clinician.