Diabetes - What is it?

Diabetes is a condition in which

• a) There is not enough insulin

• b) There is too much insulin

• c) There is not enough carbohydrate

• d) There is not enough glucose

Answer explanation

Diabetes is a condition where there is not enough insulin because there is a problem with the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin

Type I Diabetes is

• a) Is the result of poor diet

• b) Is the result of not enough exercise

• c) An auto-dysfunction

•  d) An autoimmune disease

Answer explanation

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body thinks the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin are invaders and kills them. This means there are no beta cells so no insulin is made!

Type 2 Diabetes is caused by the combination of

• a) Not enough exercise, poor diet and genes

• b) An autoimpulsive disorder and poor diet

• c) An autoimmune disease and poor diet

• d) Just poor diet and exercise

Answer explanation

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of genes (genetics), poor diet and not enough exercise. While it is not helpful to blame the person for their Type 2 diabetes, they can play a role in managing it by improving diet and amount of exercise they do!

Insulin moves

• a) Blood (haemo) into cells

• b) Water (hydro) into cells

• c) Glucose (sugar) into cells

• d) Air (oxy) into cells

Answer explanation

Insulin helps glucose (sugar) from the food we eat to move from our blood into our cells. Cells use this glucose for energy!

The only medication for type I diabetes is

• a) Diet and exercise

• b) Blood injections

• c) Glucose Injections

• d) Insulin injections

Answer explanation

Insulin injections are the only medication for Type 1 diabetes. There are no beta cells to produce it so it must be injected. Without these insulin injections, the person can become seriously ill and need intensive care admission!

Most people with type 2 diabetes will

• a) Control their diabetes forever through diet and exercise

• b) Need medications at some point

• c) Never control their diabetes without insulin

• d) Not need any medication or diet change

Answer explanation

Most people with Type 2 diabetes will need medications at some point. Even the very best efforts with diet and exercise are often not enough to manage Type 2 diabetes in the longer term!

People with type I diabetes will have to work out

• ) How much protein is in the food they plan to eat

• b) How much potassium is in the food they plan to eat

• c) How much sodium is in the food they plan to eat

• d) How much carbohydrate is in the food they plan to eat

Answer explanation

When we eat carbohydrates, we need insulin to help us move the glucose from our blood into our cells. People with Type 1 diabetes have to inject the right amount of insulin for the amount of carbohydrate they plan to eat. Working out the amount of carbohydrate in the meal allows them to work out how much insulin to inject!

People with type 2 diabetes can help by

• a) Never eating carbohydrates

• b) Eating large amount of carbohydrates only once a day

• c) Eating small amounts of carbohydrates several times a day

• d) Eating large amounts of sodium throughout the day

Answer explanation

People with Type 2 can still produce insulin, but often not enough insulin to deal with a large amount of carbohydrate all at once. By eating smaller amounts of carbohydrate several times a day they make it easier for their pancreas to produce enough insulin to deal with the smaller amount of carbohydrates each time!

Insulin is produced by

• a) Beta cells in the pancreas

• b) Gamma cells in the pancreas

• c) Delta cells in the pancreas

• d) Alpha cells in the pancreas

Answer explanation

The tiny beta cells in the pancreas make insulin!

Not enough insulin makes the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood

•  a) Go up

• b) Go down

• c) Stay the same

• It depends on the type of diabetes

Answer explanation

If there is not enough insulin to move the glucose (sugar) from the blood into cells, it stays in the blood making glucose (sugar) levels high