Show Me Health - Diabetes Month - Living with Diabetes

You may have heard people say they have “a touch of diabetes” or that their “sugar is a little high.” These words suggest that diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Diabetes is serious, but you can learn to manage it.  Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.  One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to absorb and use glucose (sugar) as fuel for the body’s cells. Without a properly functioning insulin signaling system, blood glucose levels become elevated and other problems can occur, leading to the development of serious, disabling complications.

Many forms of diabetes exist. The 3 common types of diabetes are:

• Type 2 diabetes, which results from a combination of resistance to the action of insulin and insufficient insulin production
• Type 1 diabetes, which results when the body loses its ability to produce insulin
• Gestational diabetes, a common complication of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can lead to complications in mother and child and substantially increases the likelihood of cesarean section delivery. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for the mother and, later in life, the child's subsequent development of type 2 diabetes after the affected pregnancy.

People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes or the complications of diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes.  This can be accomplished by making healthy food choices, staying at a healthy weight, moving more every day, and taking their medicine even when they feel good. It’s a lot to do.

As this year’s Diabetes Month Theme says: It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!  This theme highlights the importance of managing diabetes to prevent diabetes-related health problems such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and amputation.  The theme also serves as a reminder to people who may be struggling with the demands of managing diabetes that they are not alone. 

Taking care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel good today and in the future. When your blood sugar (glucose) is close to normal, you are likely to:

·        have more energy

·        be less tired and thirsty

·        need to pass urine less often

·        heal better

·        have fewer skin or bladder infections

You will also have less chance of having health problems caused by diabetes such as:

·        heart attack or stroke

·        eye problems that can lead to trouble seeing or going blind

·        pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands and feet, also called nerve damage

·        kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working

·        teeth and gum problems

Living with diabetes can be challenging to manage every day. You are the most important member of your diabetes care team, but you don’t have to manage your diabetes alone. Seek support from health care professionals, your family, friends, and community to manage your diabetes.  

At LCHC, we are committed to provide support and education to the people of our county who are living with diabetes. Our goal is to help in understanding that with proper care or perseverance, people living with diabetes can live normal, fulfilling lives. 
Feel free to contact our Diabetes Educator Anita Perry at 646-5506 with any questions or concerns you may have.