Endocrinology - Diabetes
Today, there are millions of people in the United States with
pre-diabetes, a condition that raises a person’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes
heart disease and stroke. Healthy lifestyle habits are the key to
delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes from happening to you.
Diabetes
is a chronic condition in which your body either does not produce
enough insulin, or it does not use insulin properly. Diabetes can lead
to serious health complications, including kidney disease, nerve damage
and vision problems. It can also raise your risk of heart disease. In
fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke.
This is likely because most people with diabetes also have one or more
cardio metabolic risk factors, which are being overweight, having high
blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels and high triglycerides.
Certified diabetes educators at North Kansas City Hospital provide
patients with knowledge and resources to help prevent or live with
diabetes. Your team consists of a nurse, dietician, pharmacist, physical
therapist and social worker. These group sessions are available during
daytime, evening hours and on Saturday; and require a physician
referral. For more information about the Living with Diabetes program,
call Outpatient Scheduling at North Kansas City Hospital, 816-691-5267.
Individualized care is offered if you are a patient in the Hospital. A
nurse will visit your room to speak with you about medications, food
planning, exercise and any questions you may have regarding your
diabetes.
There is also a free support group available that meets the first
Thursday of even months at 7 p.m. For more information about the Living
with Diabetes support group, call Mary Beth Fisher, 816-691-1666.
Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes commonly has no signs or symptoms. Take action and decrease your risk:
- Know your fasting glucose number. Normal range is 60 – 100 mg/dL
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight for you. It is particularly important to reduce excess abdominal fat (apple-shaped bodies are at increased risk).
- Increase your physical activity
- Manage your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Factors That Increase Your Risk
The following factors can increase your risk, and the more factors that
apply to you, the m ore important it is to make sure you are taking
action to prevent diabetes.
- Age – 45 or older
- Family history of pre-diabetes or diabetes
- Hispanic, African-, Asian-, or Indian-American
- Gestational diabetes (or delivered a baby over 9 pounds)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Obesity
- Poor diet or exercsing less than three times a week
- High blood pressure and abnormal blood cholesterol levels
Warning Signs
Watch for “red flags” that warn you may have diabetes:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores and frequent infections
- Itchy skin
Preventing Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association recommends routine blood glucose
screenings for everyone, starting at age 45. Pre-diabetes testing is
important for anyone with a family history of type 2 diabetes, women
with a personal history of gestational diabetes and for those who are
obese or have cardio metabolic syndrome.
Steps you can take:
- Partner with your doctor – discuss any symptoms and review both your personal and family medical history
- Eat to prevent diabetes – follow a balanced, nutritious diet and limit portion sizes
- Exercise – 30 minutes of regular exercise most days of the week is recommended
- Lose
weight and maintain a healthy weight for your body – excess weight
increases blood pressure and works against the action of insulin.
- Stop smoking – if you smoke, do the right thing – quit!
- Reduce alcohol intake – limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day
If you already have diabetes, the same preventive measures will also
help you manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of health
complications down the road. With proper management, diabetes can be
controlled…by being on the alert, you can help prevent diabetes from
happening to you.
