Learn to Live Well with Diabetes. Jordan Hospital is hosting a Diabetes Fair on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 10 am to 5 pm. at Jordan Hospital. To register, call 1-800-256-7326. www.jordanhospital.org.
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Glucose, or blood sugar, is a vital source of energy for your body’s cells. But with diabetes, you have too much glucose in your blood because of your body’s inability to produce insulin or use it efficiently. That imbalance can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, or blindness.

In fact, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting an estimated 25.8 million Americans. Approximately 79 million more have prediabetes, where blood sugar levels are starting to rise above normal but are not yet at the level of diabetes. [1] Left untreated, prediabetes usually progresses to diabetes.

We asked Jordan Hospital Program Coordinator for the Diabetes Education Center, Kay Grosberg, R.N., to help us understand this serious disease.

Q:  Am I at risk for diabetes?
There are two types of diabetes: types I and II. Type I is an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, requiring the individual to inject insulin daily. We used to call this “juvenile diabetes,” but adults are being diagnosed too.

Type II happens when your body produces insulin but either does not use it efficiently or makes less than what your body now requires. Obesity is a major factor—85% of people with type II are overweight.[2]  Family history of diabetes is often present.  Once referred to as “adult onset” diabetes, we are now diagnosing type II in children and adolescents.

Q: What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Fatigue, frequent urination, frequent thirst, and blurry vision result from your body trying to restore its blood sugar balance. Some people get itchy skin or headaches. People often experience mood swings, which may be noticeable by family and friends.

Q:  What is the current treatment?
People with type I need insulin injections every day. For type II, treatment begins with diet and exercise and, if necessary, medication. Different medications work in the body in different ways—your doctor can determine what is right for you.

Q:  What about prevention?
To manage or prevent diabetes: eat less and move more. Watch your carbohydrate intake. Use a nine-inch plate, about the size of a classic paper plate. Fill half with non-starchy vegetables, ¼ with lean protein, and ¼ with starch.

To move more, think activity instead of exercise. You don’t need spandex and a gym membership. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity three to five times per week. It can be short —try two 15-minute walks. Alternating weight training and aerobic activity helps too.

If you are genetically predisposed to diabetes, you may have to work harder to prevent it, but you can dramatically reduce your risk with diet and exercise.

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf, 10/6/11

[2] http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/health_risks.htm#type2, 10/6/11