Could you have diabetes and not know it? More than 40 million Americans are living with diabetes, and ~11 million don’t even know they have it. In 2023, diabetes was the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.
So, what exactly is diabetes? Simply put, diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells, where it can be used for energy. In type 1 diabetes, the body can’t make insulin, while in type 2 diabetes, the body has trouble using insulin properly and may make less over time.
High blood sugar can damage both small and large blood vessels. Over time, this can lead to kidney disease, vision problems or blindness, nerve damage in the hands and feet, and serious infections that may lead to amputation. Signs of diabetes include feeling unusually thirsty or hungry, urinating more often, blurry vision, tingling in the hands or feet, slow-healing wounds, feeling tired, or unexplained weight loss.
Here is the good news: diabetes is manageable, and you don’t have to figure it out alone! Diabetes care is about more than just counting carbs and taking medications. It’s about understanding your body, finding what works for you, and having a healthcare team in your corner.
That’s where we come in! At Moose Pharmacy, our pharmacists can help answer medication questions, check your blood sugar, teach you how to use a glucometer, or show you how to give insulin or GLP-1 injections.
Curious about your glucose? Stop by and ask us about Stelo, an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that can help you learn how food, activity, and everyday life affect your glucose.
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