Online Video Series on Type 2 Diabetes Available

Format: Video
Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

When you have diabetes, your body can’t keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) in a healthy range without help. The higher your blood glucose goes, the more likely you are to develop harmful symptoms of diabetes. Almost 24 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately 57 million people over age 20 have pre-diabetes.

Understanding the symptoms of type 2 diabetes can lead to early detection and treatment. The National Diabetes Education Program and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have developed “What is Type 2 Diabetes,” a three-part online video series about type 2 diabetes for those at risk for and newly diagnosed with the disease. The videos address symptoms and risk factors for type 2 diabetes and use graphics to explain the science behind the disease, such as how blood glucose operates in the body.

Part 1 of the series discusses how to recognize the symptoms and risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and how diabetes affects the way your body uses the food you eat. Part 2 explains the role of high blood glucose as an indicator of type 2 diabetes. Finally, Part 3 discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Next Steps
You can view Part 1 of the “What is Type 2 Diabetes” video series at www.healthcare411.org/videocast.aspx?id=323, Part 2 at www.healthcare411.org/videocast.aspx?id=325, and Part 3 at www.healthcare411.org/videocast.aspx?id=366.

To learn more about type 2 diabetes, go to www.ndep.nih.gov.