Living “Healthy” with Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of blood glucose levels resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action or both. Over 6.5% (about 17 million) of people in the United States are known to have Diabetes and over 1/3 of those do not know they have it. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, foot & leg ulcers and even blindness. Diabetes is the direct or indirect cause of at least 200,000 deaths each year. In order to determine whether or not someone has diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) testing. A FPG level below 100 mg/dl is normal, between 100 and 125 mg/dl is referred to as impaired glucose tolerance and signals pre-diabetes and FPG of 126 mg/dl or more is diabetes.

A person may have type2 diabetes without knowing it. Often diabetes goes undiagnosed for many years because its symptoms seem so harmless. People who are high risk must check with a physician for diagnosis. They might have some or none of the following symptoms: increased thirst, urination or tiredness, slow healing wounds, and pain/tingling in limbs.

The incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly. The increase is due to many factors, most significant are the increasing incidence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Risk factors for type2 diabetes include older age (over 45 years), obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes in women, impaired glucose tolerance and race. In one Harvard study, obesity was the single most important factor in predicting who will develop diabetes.

Certain risk factors like age, family history and ethnicity cannot be altered, but research studies have found that a change in lifestyle that includes a healthier diet and increased physical activity can prevent or delay the onset of type2 diabetes.

Eat a well-balanced diet that is high in fiber, low in saturated fat and low in concentrated sweets. A consistent diet that includes roughly the same number of calories at about the same times of the day helps for better control of diabetes with medication or insulin. Some suggestions include eating a wide variety of foods, choose foods high in fiber, eat multiple meals – portion control is key. Do not skip meals and eat at a regular time each day.

Increase your physical activity, aim for at least 30 minutes, 4 to 5 times a week. During exercise, drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated. Avoid exercise if your blood sugar is less than 80 or more than 250 and always keep sugar pills handy.

People with diabetes can play an important role in medical care, and self glucose monitoring is an opportunity to take control of their own health. Self-care is the key, as daily care can prevent most complications. Diabetes daily care includes: blood sugar monitoring, meal planning, exercise, and taking your medication regularly. Also, take care of your feet and wash with warm water and mild soap everyday, do not soak. Check closely for scratches, cracks and redness or dry skin. Never do “home surgery” on your feet, ask for help from a physician if you have any concerns.

No matter what kind of diabetes you have, it affects many parts of your body and life. Both forms of diabetes ultimately can lead to many complications. To prevent these complications, the goal should be to learn the ABC’s of diabetes. The “A” stands for the A1C or hemoglobin A1C test, which measures average blood glucose over the previous 3 months. “B” is for blood pressure, and “C” is for cholesterol. People with diabetes should attain as near as normal blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Also, you should follow up with a physician regularly for health maintenance check-ups. All patients with diabetes should be treated aggressively with risk factor modifications.

Diabetes and obesity are two major health issues that are on a rapid rise today. Set some goals for yourself, make some lifestyle changes, and take control. Paul Jande M.D. and the staff of North Macomb Internal Medicine, P.C. wish you and your family happy holidays! Eat healthy, stay fit and enjoy the season! We are located at 67200 Van Dyke, Suite 203, in Washington Twp. Convenient evening and weekend appointments are available. Give us a call at (586) 752-0070.