Fight Diabetes

Diabetes is Serious but You Can Learn to Manage It.

• FIGHT DIABETES
• YOU or Your Loved Ones may have diabetes.
  

Learn how to identify person with diabetes.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
  
• Unexplained weight loss
  
• Extreme hunger
  
• Sudden vision changes
  
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
  
• Feeling very tired much of the time
  
• Very dry skin
  
• Sores that are slow to heal
  
• More infections than usual.
  

Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes.

Avoid health problems caused by diabetes such as:

• Heart attack and Stroke
• Eye Problems that can leat to trouble seeing or going blind
• Nerve damage that can cause your hands and feet to hurt, tingle or feel numb. Some people even lose a foot or a leg.
• Kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working
• Gum diseases and loss of teeth

How to Fight Diabetes

Learn about diabetes, Know your diabetes, Manage your diabetes and Get Routine Care is the Key

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

What are the types of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes, which was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, may account for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. If not treated, it can cause problems for mothers and babies. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over.

Other specific types of diabetes resulting from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.

Risk factors are less well defined for type 1 diabetes than for type 2 diabetes, but autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved in developing this type of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently in African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and people with a family history of diabetes than in other groups. Obesity is also associated with higher risk. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes. In some studies, nearly 40% of women with a history of gestational diabetes developed diabetes in the future.

Other specific types of diabetes, which may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases, result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.

What causes type 1 diabetes?

The causes of type 1 diabetes appear to be much different than those for type 2 diabetes, though the exact mechanisms for developing both diseases are unknown. The appearance of type 1 diabetes is suspected to follow exposure to an "environmental trigger," such as an unidentified virus, stimulating an immune attack against the beta cells of the pancreas (that produce insulin) in some genetically predisposed people.

Can diabetes be prevented?

Type 1 Diabetes: Researchers are making progress in identifying the exact genetics and "triggers" that predispose some individuals to develop this type of diabetes, but prevention remains elusive.

Type 2 Diabetes: Regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing this type of diabetes. This type also appears to be associated with obesity.

Know your diabetes ABCs.

Talk to your doctor about how to manage your A1C, Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. This can help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes problems. Here’s what the ABCs of diabetes stand for:

A for the A1C test (A-one-C).

It shows you what your blood glucose has been over the last three months. The A1C goal for most people is below 7. High blood glucose levels can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.

B for Blood pressure.

The goal for most people with diabetes is below 130/80. High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

C for Cholesterol.

The LDL goal for most people is below 100. The HDL goal for most people is above 40. LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or a stroke. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels.

Diabetes Prevention

Diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. Studies show 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. You can do it by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes.

Is there a cure for diabetes?

The diabetes community has three choices: prevent diabetes; cure diabetes; and improve the quality of care of people with diabetes to prevent complications.

Several approaches to "cure" diabetes are being pursued:

• Pancreas transplantation
• Islet cell transplantation (islet cells produce insulin)
• Artificial pancreas development
• Genetic manipulation (fat or muscle cells that don’t normally make insulin have a human insulin gene inserted - then these "pseudo" islet cells are transplanted into people with type 1 diabetes).

Each of these approaches still has a lot of challenges, such as preventing immune rejection; finding an adequate number of insulin cells; keeping cells alive; and others. But progress is being made in all areas.

What is the treatment for diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes: Healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are the basic therapies. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.

Type 2 Diabetes: Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic therapies. May require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.

People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will monitor their diabetes control and help them learn to manage their diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes may see endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine foot care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.

Some Healthy Tips to Fight Diabetes

1. Keep meat, poultry and fish portions to about 3 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards).
2. Try not to snack while cooking or cleaning the kitchen.
3. Try to eat meals and snacks at regular times e
very day.
4. Make sure you eat breakfast everyday.
5. Use broth and cured meats (smoked or bacon) in small amounts. They are high in sodium. Low sodium broths are available in cans and in powdered form.
6. Share a single dessert.
7. When eating out, have a big vegetable salad, then split an entrée with a friend or have the other half wrapped to go.
8. Stir fry, broil, or bake with non-stick spray or low-sodium broth and cook with less oil and butter.
9. Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before your meal to take the edge off your hunger.
10. Make healthy choices at fast food restaurants. Try grilled chicken (remove skin) instead of a cheeseburger. Skip the french fries and choose a salad.
11. Listen to music while you eat instead of watching TV (people tend to eat more while watching TV).
12. Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to send a signal to your brain that you're full.
13. Teaspoons, salad forks, or child-size utensils may help you take smaller bites and eat less.
14. You don't have to cut out the foods you love to eat. Just cut down on your portion size and eat it less often.
15. Make less food look like more by serving your meal on a salad or breakfast plate.

Manage your diabetes.

Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves. Work with your health care team to reach your ABC goals. Use this self-care plan.

• Use your diabetes meal plan. If you do not have one, ask your doctor for one.

o Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.

o Keep fish and lean meat and poultry portions to about 3 ounces (or the size of a deck of cards). Bake, broil, or grill it.

o Eat foods that have less fat and salt.

o Eat foods with more fiber such as whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.

• Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Brisk walking is a great way to move more.
• Stay at a healthy weight by using your meal plan and moving more.
• Ask for help if you feel down. A mental health counselor, support group, member of the clergy, friend, or family member who will listen to your concerns may help you feel better.
• Learn to cope with stress. Stress can raise your blood glucose. While it is hard to remove stress from your life, you can learn to handle it.
• Stop smoking. Ask for help to quit.
• Take medicines even when you feel good. Ask your doctor if you need aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor if you cannot afford your medicines or if you have any side effects.
• Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call your health care team right away about any sores that do not go away.
• Brush your teeth and floss every day to avoid problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums.
• Check your blood glucose. You may want to test it one or more times a day. Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your blood glucose numbers. Be sure to take this record to your doctor visits.
• Check your blood pressure if your doctor advises.
• Report any changes in your eyesight to your doctor.

Get routine care.

See your health doctor at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early. Ask what steps you can take to reach your goals.

At each visit be sure you have a:

• blood pressure check

• foot check

• weight check

Two times each year have an:

• A1C test – it may be checked more often if it is over 7

Once each year be sure you have a:

• cholesterol test

• triglyceride (try-GLISS-er-ide) test — a type of blood fat

• complete foot exam

• dental exam to check teeth and gums — tell your dentist you have diabetes

• dilated eye exam to check for eye problems

• flu shot

• urine and a blood test to check for kidney problems

At least once get a:

• pneumonia shot