Diabetes. It is a word that is commonly known, and is also a condition that is sometimes undiagnosed. According to CDC’s 2012 National Diabetes Statistics Report, 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3 percent of the population, had diabetes and of those almost 28 percent went undiagnosed. This condition is one that continuous education is crucial to combat it as it can affect sufferers and loved ones with diabolical impacts limiting lifestyle.
“Diabetes is a metabolic and chronic disease that we must be mindful of, and the diabetes conversation must remain constant,” said Joy DeGuzman, registered dietician, Southern Hills Hospital.
“Diabetes can be prevented, managed and treated with the appropriate lifestyle choices and diet, and most importantly, with the right mindset.”
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly utilize glucose or sugar that is consumed from foods. Most foods are turned into glucose which is used in the body as energy; the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin that helps usher glucose into the cells of the body to be used as energy to perform its daily function.
With diabetes, the body either does not make insulin (type 1 diabetes) to support this process or the body does not use insulin properly (insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes). Without the proper insulin function, glucose builds up in the blood that causes hyperglycemia that can result in damage to many organs like eyes, kidney, heart, and even nerves (CDC, 2015). The reason for diabetes prevalence is not fully understood, but genetics, age, lifestyle, and environment all play a role in the development of this disease (Diabetes.org, 2015).
Two important elements in understanding diabetes are insulin and glucose — breaking them down to their easiest form:
• Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and is needed to convert the food into glucose or sugar. When eating, insulin is released to move glucose into the cells for energy in order to perform daily task or store for future use (American Diabetes Association [ADA], 2015; Nutrition411.com, 2014).
• Glucose is one of the simplest forms of sugar. Food gets digested and broken down into glucose which is used for energy within the body in order to function daily (ADA, 2015).
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Sound simple enough? These working parts all contribute to preventing, managing and treating diabetes provided appropriate attention is given to the overall condition.
The first step is recognizing the most common symptoms, which include, but are not limited to:
• Urinating frequently
• Feeling very thirsty all the time
• Feeling very hungry — even though you are eating
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss — even with regular eating (type 1)
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
Some people with type 2 diabetes have symptoms so mild that they are unnoticeable — early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications of diabetes (ADA, 2015).
The second step is to know your health numbers — blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If these numbers are high, take preventive steps to bring them back into the normal range. This can be accomplished through proper nutrition, regular moderate exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. Avoid or quit smoking because it increases the risk of diabetes, cancer, nerve and circulatory damage, heart disease, stroke, etc.
Above all, use relaxation techniques, prioritize life’s tasks and stay positive. A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of developing a host of other medical conditions.
DeGuzman said the biggest mistake that diabetic patients can make is to think that this disease is not serious and that it can simply go away. People who monitor and maintain their blood glucose better and have regular checkups with their health care team (i.e. endocrinologist, dietitian, primary care physician, etc.) live a healthier life with fewer risks of complications.
Along with lifestyle and diet choices, genetics certainly has its role. While genetics do factor into diabetes, a person’s environment plays a role in the development of the disease. Lifestyle interventions targeting diet and exercise during the pre-diabetes phase (when blood glucose is elevated but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes) showed a 60 percent decrease in disease progression compared to medication alone in studies from both the US and China. (World Health Organization [WHO], 2006). The key to a better, longer life in the face of diabetes or just, in general, is simply to eat healthier and move more.
DeGuzman said, “You can’t control everything that can impact your health, such as your genetic makeup, your age, gender, or even your family history of diabetes. As you get older, your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke goes up. There’s nothing you can do about getting older.
“Whether you’re male or female also affects how likely you are to develop heart disease. If your mother, father, sister, or brother has heart disease or diabetes, your risk goes up.
DeGuzman provides this encouraging advice: “Compliance with a diabetic meal plan, medication and exercise play a significant role in successful diabetes management. Maintaining healthy blood sugars can prevent or even delay the onset of diabetes complications. Overall, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to preventing chronic diseases like hypertension, cancer, etc. We can manage this!”