Hot Topic: Understanding Diabetes
The numbers are staggering. Of the 24 million Americans with diabetes, 5.7 million don’t even know that they have the disease and millions more are at risk of developing it.
Like any disease, the longer diabetes goes undiagnosed, the more dangerous it becomes.
November is American Diabetes Month and the Coastal Health District encourages you to take the time to learn more about this disease.
Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, blindness and amputations, and a major cause of heart disease and stroke. In fact, every 24 hours around 200 people with diabetes have a non-traumatic lower-limb amputation; close to 130 people with diabetes develop kidney failure; nearly 50 adults go blind; and approximately 200 people die from the disease.
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes occurs when the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. While the cause of diabetes is still unknown, both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise may play roles.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body rejects insulin which results in an insulin deficiency. While both types of diabetes can be serious, there are ways to manage the disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications. For example:
* Stay at a healthy weight and engage in physical activity for 30–60 minutes on most days of the week. Physical activity can help you control your weight, blood glucose, and blood pressure, as well as raise your "good" cholesterol and lower your "bad" cholesterol.
* Talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage your blood glucose (A1C), blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Every percentage point drop in A1C blood test result can reduce the risk of eye, kidney, and nerve diseases by 40 percent. Blood pressure control reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke among people with diabetes by 33 to 50 percent and the risk of eye, kidney, and nerve diseases by about 33 percent. Detecting and treating early diabetic kidney disease by lowering blood pressure can reduce the decline in kidney function by 30 to 70 percent. Improved control of LDL cholesterol can reduce cardiovascular complications by 20 to 50 percent.
* Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call your doctor immediately if you have sores that will not heal. Also, report to your doctor any changes in your eyesight. Foot care programs that include regular examinations and patient education could prevent up to 85 percent of diabetes-related amputations. Detecting and treating diabetic eye disease with laser therapy can reduce the development of severe vision loss by an estimated 50 to 60 percent.
* Get a pneumonia shot at least once and be sure you have a flu shot once each year. People with diabetes are more likely to die with pneumonia or influenza than people who do not have diabetes.
Diabetes often goes unnoticed or undiagnosed because the symptoms can seem like a normal part of everyday life. But early detection can help avoid complications from diabetes down the road. Some of the symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurry vision.
According to the CDC, recent studies have shown that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. Eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week can help accomplish that goal.
To learn more about diabetes and American Diabetes Month, go to the American Diabetes Association. web site.
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