Patient Education (Video Script)
Welcome to this brief educational video about Type 2 Diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels run consistently higher than normal. In order to understand what is not working in Type 2 Diabetes, it is important for us to understand what “normal” is.
When we eat or drink, our body takes that food and drink and breaks it down into nutrients that are absorbed into our bloodstream. This includes sugar, and that is how we end up with elevated blood sugar levels. This is normal right after we eat or drink.
Our body then produces something called insulin. Insulin’s job is take that sugar out of the bloodstream and help cells use it for energy. As insulin does its job and moves the sugar from the bloodstream into the cell, blood sugar levels naturally go down. If our body needs more sugar, during times of intense exercise or when we haven’t eaten for a long time, the liver has stored sugars that it is able to release into the bloodstream. These factors together all help keep our blood sugar level basically even over time.
In Type 2 Diabetes, blood sugars can run higher than normal pretty consistently, and for a number of reasons. One is that cells can start having trouble using the insulin that is there and available. This is called insulin resistance. A second reason is because the body becomes unable to keep with the demand for insulin. It cannot produce enough, and it becomes fatigued in the effort – producing less and less insulin. And the third reason is that the liver can release extra sugar into our system that we don’t even really need.
So why does this matter? Well, the kidneys work extra hard trying to help clear the extra sugar out of our bloodstream, by releasing it into our urine. This can lead to people peeing more frequently, and because they are peeing more frequently, they’ll feel more thirsty in order to prevent dehydration. The kidneys work overtime, and as they work overtime over the period of years, it can lead to eventual kidney disease or even kidney failure.
It is possible to have Type 2 Diabetes without these symptoms, however. Other symptoms include fatigue, vision changes, frequent infections, itching, numbness or tingling, weakness, and wounds that do not heal. It is important to share with your care provider any symptoms you are experiencing or any changes to your symptoms, so they can help you create the best plan possible for your treatment. Thank you!