DIABETES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
What is Diabetes?
- Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce insulin or does not properly use insulin.
- Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily activities.
- Genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise play a role in the cause of diabetes.
Major Types of Diabetes
- Type I Diabetes: an autoimmune disorder often referred to “juvenile diabetes”
- Pre-Diabetes: a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have this type. A condition in which the body does not produce or utilize insulin properly.
- Gestational Diabetes: 4% of all pregnant women will develop this complication
Risk Factors for Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
- Overweight or obese
- Physically inactive
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Have a parent or sibling with diabetes
- African American, Native American, Hispanic American, Asian American or Pacific Islander
- Have had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or have had gestational diabetes
Prevention
- Diabetes doesn’t go away once you have it, so it’s better to prevent it in the first place
- Healthy eating habits: cut down on fat and calories, cut back on serving portion sizes, eat more vegetables and whole grain foods, drink water instead of soft drinks or juice
- Increasing physical activity: 20-60 minutes per day/3-7 days a week aerobic activity, strength training, flexibility exercises
- Losing weight: according to research average of 15 pounds
- There are no medications to prevent diabetes
Diagnostic Tests
- 2 different blood tests are used to diagnose diabetes
- Fasting Plasma Glucose test (FPG)
- Oral Glucose Tolerance test (OGD)
- Consult your doctor if you think you may need to be tested for diabetes
Complications/ Why is Diabetes so dangerous?
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes
- Heart disease and stroke account for 65% of deaths in people with diabetes
- Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates 2-4 times higher than adults without diabetes
- Stroke risk is 2-4 times higher in people with diabetes
- Approx 73% of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure (130/80 or higher) or use prescription medications for hypertension
- Blindness
- Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20-74 yr
- Kidney Disease
- Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease
- Kidney disease may require chronic dialysis or a kidney transplant
- Nerve Damage
- Impaired sensation in the feet and hands
- Slowed digestion
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Severe nerve disease in the legs is a major cause of amputations
- Nerve damage can affect the central, peripheral, and/or autonomic nervous system
- Amputations
- 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes
- Dental disease
- Adults with diabetes have 2x the risk for gum disease than adults without diabetes
- Complications of pregnancy
- Birth defects
- Miscarriages
- Coma/Seizures
How is Type 2 Diabetes managed?
- Most of the day-to-day care of diabetes is up to you, the individual:
- You decide what, how much and when to eat
- You decide how much physical activity to include in your daily routine
- You decide to take appropriate medications as prescribed by your physician to manage your blood glucose/sugar levels, blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels.
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight/lose weight
- See your physician regularly
- Check your blood pressure
- Check your cholesterol
- Check your Microalbumin levels through a urine test to check kidney function
- Have regular foot exams, and perform daily foot care
- Check your feet every day
- Use a mirror or have a family member help you see between your toes and the bottoms of your feet
- Look for blisters, redness, and cracked skin
- Wash feet using lukewarm water and mild soap
- Dry feet completely, especially between your toes
- Do not walk barefoot
- Check your shoes every day for irritants and be sure they are completely dry
- Make sure your shoes are the right size and width
- Consult your doctor if you find a wound on your foot
- Have regular eye exams
- Get a flu shot and pneumonia vaccine yearly
- Seek out nutrition counseling
Blood Glucose
- Keeping the blood glucose/sugar level in the recommended range can prevent or delay the long-term health problems caused by diabetes.
- Check your blood glucose levels regularly
- A1C: The A1C test measures your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months.
- What can make blood glucose levels rise?
- A meal or snack with a larger portion size than usual
- A meal or snack with more carbohydrates than usual
- Inactivity
- Not enough diabetes medication
- Side effects of other medications
- Infection or illness
- Stress
- Changes in hormone levels
- What can make blood glucose levels fall?
- A meal or snack with a smaller portion size than usual
- A meal or snack with fewer carbohydrates than usual
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Missing a meal or snack
- Extra activity
- Too much diabetes medication
- Side effects of other medications
Medications
- Oral Medications may be needed to control
- Blood glucose levels
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Insulin may also be needed to control blood glucose levels
Meal Planning
- Consult with a nutritionist or dietician
- Portion size is just as important as what you eat
- Count carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates raise your blood glucose levels the most
- Carbohydrates include bread, biscuits, rice, crackers, cereal,
fruit, juice, milk, yogurt, potatoes, corn, peas and sweets
- Keep the amount of carbohydrate in your meals and snacks consistent
- Choose foods low in saturated fat
- Helps to lower cholesterol
- Foods high in saturated fat include meats, butter, whole milk, cream, cheese, lard, shortening, and many baked goods
- Increase fiber in your diet
- High fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, dried beans and peas, oatmeal, whole grain breads and cereals
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Increase consumption of water
Physical Activity
- Regular physical activity helps lower your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Lowers the risk for heart disease and stroke
- Relieves stress
- Helps insulin work better
- Strengthens your heart, muscles and bones
- Be active throughout the day
- Consult with a medical professional such as your physician, physical or occupational therapist before starting a new exercise routine
- Aerobic exercise
- 20-60 cumulative minutes per day 3-7 days a week
- Includes walking, dancing, swimming, riding a bicycle
- Strength training: lifting light weights several times a week
- Flexibility exercises: stretching both arms and legs
For More Information:
Information Compiled by:
Travis King, PT, DPT
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