Animations

Module: Understanding Diabetes

Animation: Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
This animation describes the metabolic disorder of type 2 diabetes and the role of glucose used by the cells of the body. It explains how food is broken down into nutrient molecules that are absorbed in the digestive tract for use by the body and the role of the pancreas and insulin. The symptoms of diabetes are explained as well as the damage caused by diabetes to body organs and blood vessels in terms of diabetic complications.

Module: Diagnosis of Diabetes

Animation: Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
This animation describes how diabetes is diagnosed through laboratory tests and explains terms such as hemoglobin A1c test, oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood glucose test. It explains that higher or lower than normal blood glucose levels may have effects such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and other serious complications of diabetic disease which may lead to kidney failure, dialysis and transplantation. Regular doctor visits are stressed to address complications and monitoring of disease progression.

Module: Treatment of Diabetes

Animation: Management and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
The goal of Type 2 Diabetes treatment is to safely keep blood glucose within the normal range. When diet and exercise fail to provide patient benefits, medical management of diabetes is warranted. Various medications are briefly explained. A self-management plan should be part of every patient’s strategy with regular doctor visits.