November focuses on diabetes awareness, education

What do a Hispanic, 11-year-old girl in the city and a Caucasian, 80-year-old man in the country have in common? Very possibly, diabetes. This disease affects hundreds of thousands of people all over the country; both young and old, rich and poor, urban city-slicker or rural recluse.

With more and more cases of diabetes being diagnosed every year, there has never been a greater need for awareness of this insidious disease.

It is now known that the predisposition for diabetes is typically inherited, but carrying the gene does not always mean that the person will have the disease. Diet, lifestyle and other factors also play a part in determining whether the diabetes gene develops or stays dormant.

There are two types of diabetes; Type 1 and Type 2. Both types are a result of the body's lack of insulin, a hormone that our cells need to process glucose (sugar). If there isn't enough insulin, the glucose runs rampant through our system, wreaking havoc on our nerves and circulatory systems.

Type 1 diabetes usually most common in children and young people. This type can be very serious and even deadly if not treated. In Type 1 diabetes, the body stops producing insulin completely, and the hormone has to be injected in order for the person to survive.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common. This type generally begins with insulin resistance, then slowly progresses as we go through our natural life cycle. In fact, because it does progress slowly, many people do not even realize that they have it, which can be very dangerous. The signs and symptoms of Type 2 may be subtle, including increased thirst and urination, as well as unintentional weight-loss. So, it may be possible to go for years with the disease not knowing you have it while it damages nerves, vision, and blood vessels.

In most cases it is possible to be proactive about developing diabetes. If you know you have a family history of the disease, talk to your physician about regular yearly screenings. Also, assess your diet and lifestyle. Eating right and getting plenty of exercise is important for everyone, but even more so for those folks with the diabetes gene. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly can greatly lessen their chances of developing the disease.

For those who have already been diagnosed, effective management can greatly increase chances of leading a normal life and not developing serious complications. Monitoring blood sugar levels has never been easier or more convenient. There are literally hundreds of meters to choose from, so it's easy to find one that fits your particular habits and lifestyle.

It's also key to understand which style of eating will result in the best blood sugar level outcomes for you. Exercise is very important for people who have already been diagnosed, or those with a current level of insulin resistance. Exercise can reduce insulin resistance even more than medications, in some instances and the more fuel we burn through physical activity, the less glucose there is in our system.

Though people with diabetes may argue that they feel just fine and that they don't have to worry about it, this just isn't the case. Even if they're just at the lowest level of insulin resistance, the long-term affects on the body can be dramatic. Diabetes is the leading cause of adult onset blindness and renal disease, not to mention the body has a very hard time getting the proper circulation to limbs, which might lead to amputation.

Your local hospital, Bonner General, is a great resource for understanding and managing diabetes. The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program includes an individual assessment by a nurse and dietician (certified diabetes educators), education on blood glucose monitoring, meter use and meal planning. Small-group classes with a wide variety of topics designed to not only inform, but help people cope with living with diabetes.

Also available is the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System, which provides a detailed and accurate report of blood glucose trends over a period of three days. We offer insulin pump training, dietary consultation with a registered dietician, support groups, gestational (pregnancy, related) diabetes education, and community classes for pre-diabetes, diabetes refresher courses, and on-site guided grocery shopping expeditions.

For more information on any of these programs, speak to your physician or call (208) 265-1116.