Diabetes Medical Reference
- Insulin Resistance Diet
If you want to lower your chances for diabetes -- or to manage your condition -- you may want to try an insulin-resistance diet. Learn what to eat and how it can help.
- Genetics and Type 1 Diabetes
Your genes play a role in you getting type 1 diabetes, but they don’t tell you everything. Find out what affects your risk and how likely your kids are to get it.
- Do I Need a Diabetes Life Coach?
Find out how a diabetes life coach can work with you to make changes to your lifestyle that help manage your condition.
- Can a Home Health Aide Help You Manage Diabetes?
Find out how a health aide who comes to your home can help you manage your type 2 diabetes by assisting with medication, exercise, and nutrition.
- Do I Need to Change My Type 2 Diabetes Medication?
Like any drug, diabetes medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications you take. Could it be time to change your treatment plan?
- Do I Need a Nutritionist or Dietitian?
If you have diabetes, what you eat -- and when you eat it -- matters. Should you get help making up your diet?
- How Does Nicotine Affect Blood Sugar?
Nicotine alters the way your body can use glucose, the sugar in your blood that fuels your cells. Find out what problems it can cause, and what you can do about it.
- Type 2 Diabetes and the Gym: What You Need to Know
If you have type 2 diabetes, staying active is important.
- Should I Apply for Disability?
Depending on the effects of your type 2 diabetes, you may be able to get disability benefits. But how does it work?
- How Race Can Matter in Type 2 Diabetes
Some racial and ethnic groups have much higher rates of type 2 diabetes than others, and it goes beyond weight and exercise. Learn why.
- What to Know About Insulin Sensitivity Factor
Find out what you need to know about the insulin sensitivity factor. Discover its role in insulin dosage and how to calculate it.
- What Is Ketonuria?
Ketonuria is when you have a lot of ketones in your urine. Learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and more.
- What Is Lipohypertrophy?
Lipohypertrophy is when lumps of fat or scar tissue develop under the skin because of repeat injections or infusions. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.
- What Is Dysglycemia?
Learn about dysglycemia, how swings in blood sugar can affect your health, and how to cope with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
- Resistance Band Exercises for Diabetes
If you have diabetes, working out with resistance bands can have big health benefits. Find out how to do resistance band exercises and make them part of your routine.
- Fasting and Non-Fasting Bloodwork for Diabetes
Diabetes affects your ability to process sugar. Find out more about the kinds of blood tests doctors recommend to see if you have it or how you're doing with it.
- What Is a Podiatrist?
Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in disorders of the feet and ankles. Learn more about the conditions they treat and why you might want to see a podiatrist.
- The Endocrine System and Glands of the Human Body
The endocrine system consists of glands that make hormones. Your body uses hormones to control growth, development, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and other functions.
- Helping a Loved One With Diabetes
If someone you love has diabetes, find out how you can support them and help them manage the condition.
- Type 1 Diabetes: What Adults Need to Know
It used to be called juvenile diabetes, but adults have type 1, too. Find out how you can manage your condition as a grown-up.
- Breastfeeding With Diabetes: What to Know
Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby, even if you have diabetes. Learn how to do it safely.
- What Diabetes Supplies and Devices Do I Need?
Learn about the supplies you need to manage diabetes, including devices like blood sugar meters, diabetic tests strips, and insulin pumps.
- What Is Fournier’s Gangrene?
Gangrene can be a troublesome disease, but Fournier’s gangrene is particularly worrisome. This type of gangrene attacks your genitals, so it is essential to see a doctor if you think you may have this disease.
- Diabetes and Caffeine
That cup of coffee, tea, or soda can affect blood sugar control. Here’s what people who have diabetes need to know.
- Constipation and Diarrhea From Diabetes
High blood sugar can wreak havoc in your digestive system, causing constipation. And your medications, certain foods, and other factors may cause diarrhea.
- Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors for Diabetes
How do drugs like Precose and Glyset work? What kinds of side effects can you expect? When will your doctor prescribe them, and who shouldn't take them?
- Is It OK to Take Insulin for Gestational Diabetes?
When you have gestational diabetes, you may need to take insulin to lower your blood sugar. It's safe to use and won't harm your baby.
- How Sleep Affects Your Blood Sugar
The right amount of rest is key for controlling blood sugar. Too little sleep raises your chance of having diabetes.
- What Medicines Can Make Your Blood Sugar Spike?
Food and exercise aren’t the only things that can raise your blood sugar. Learn about the effect of non-diabetes medicines.
- Does My Child Have Blood Sugar Problems?
There may be clues to let you know if your child's blood sugar is out of whack. Here's what to look out for.
- How Diabetes Can Lead to Tendon Damage
Find out how high levels of blood sugar can raise the odds of getting a tendon tear, and what you can do to prevent this.
- What Does an Endocrinologist Do?
Endocrinologists specialize in glands, hormones, and metabolism. Find out more about what these doctors do, like helping people with diabetes or menopause.
- Do You Know Your A1c Target?
Whether you have diabetes or your doctor thinks you might be at risk, you've likely heard of an A1c test. The common blood test gives information about your blood sugar in order to test for and manage diabetes
- Amputation and Diabetes
Diabetes can up your odds of amputation. Learn more about how the kidney disease can affect your legs and feet.
- Lifestyle Changes to Help Control Diabetes
If you have diabetes, there are simple things you can do to help control it.
- ‘Good’ Habits to Give Up for Type 2 Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, these seven habits may be doing you more harm than good.
- Taking Care of Your Diabetes Every Day
If you have diabetes, there are things you must do every day to keep yourself healthy. Here’s your to-do list.
- Driving With Diabetes: How to Stay Safe
You may not realize it, but diabetes could affect your driving. Learn what you can do to stay safe behind the wheel.
- Do I Need an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test?
Find out how the oral glucose tolerance test can help diagnose diabetes. And see why anyone who is pregnant needs this test.
- Microalbumin Test and Albumin in Urine
Albumin is a protein that builds up in your kidneys when you have kidney disease. Since diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, you might need a microalbumin urine test to diagnose kidney problems.
- What Are Ketones?
A ketone test can warn you of a serious diabetes complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Learn what ketones are, when you need to test, and how to do it.
- What Is a C-Peptide Test?
Find out when your doctor might recommend the C-peptide test and what your results mean for your diabetes.
- Tips to Help Your Child With Diabetes
When your child has diabetes, you’ve got to manage details about her blood sugar and diet to keep her healthy. Learn how to best help her manage this chronic condition.
- Can Diabetes Affect Your Gut?
Gastrointestinal complications are common in people with diabetes. Learn how the disease can affect your stomach, esophagus, and intestines.
- Type 1 Diabetes in Children and When to Seek Medical Help
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that often strikes children. Learn how to recognize the symptoms in kids and when to call a doctor.
- What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition involving changes to your retina’s blood vessels. Learn about stages of diabetic eye disease, how to treat it with drugs or laser surgery, and how to avoid vision loss or blindness.
- How to Manage Blood Sugar Spikes After Meals
If you have diabetes, find out how to test and manage blood sugar levels that go up after you eat, a condition called postprandial blood glucose.
- Type 3 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s: What to Know
Did you know that insulin can affect how well your brain functions? Learn how diabetes may play a role in Alzheimer’s.
- Diabetes and Anemia
What’s the connection between diabetes and anemia? WebMD looks at what how the two are linked and what you need to know.
- The Link Between Diabetes and Gout
If you have type 2 diabetes, gout should be on your radar screen. The two conditions often go hand-in-hand. Here’s what you need to know about this painful form of arthritis.