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Getting the facts about diabetes can help you face your fears
Everyone knows someone with diabetes. Diabetes can be a scary disease. Getting the facts can make you less afraid and more able to help the person with diabetes. Here is some information about diabetes.
How many people have diabetes? In our part of the country, about nine percent of people have diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, across the US we diagnose someone with diabetes about every 20 minutes. The number of people with diabetes is growing rapidly. Sometimes people have diabetes and don’t know it. Out of a hundred people with diabetes, about 30 do not know they have it. It used to be that mainly adults who got diabetes. Now, we are seeing a larger number of young children.
What happens with diabetes? There is more than one kind of diabetes. In type 1, the body quits making insulin. In another kind, type 2, the body still makes insulin, but does not use it correctly. In both kinds of diabetes, glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. Most people with diabetes have type 2.
High glucose in the blood does not always make you feel bad, but if you have high blood glucose for long periods of time, it starts to destroy cells in your organs. This leads to the complications of diabetes such as heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease, amputations and nerve damage.
Why do people get diabetes? Most likely, if someone gets diabetes, there have been family members with diabetes. It is usually in the “genes” of your family. Certain habits in our life such as being inactive, being overweight, overeating a diet high in sugars and starches can make diabetes appear. This is especially true with type 2 diabetes, though the onset may take several years.
How do you know if you have diabetes? Sometimes people have outward symptoms of diabetes. These can include being extra thirsty, having to urinate more than usual, blurry vision, infections that do not heal, being more tired than normal or a major change in weight. Many times people do not have symptoms. The only way you can tell if you have diabetes is to check your blood for high sugar levels. This is done in a doctor’s office. If you have diabetes in your family, it is good to have your blood checked every year.
How do we treat diabetes? Diabetes is one of those diseases that you cannot really “cure,” but you can treat. We have many medicines in pill form, shot form and even inhalers that are used to treat diabetes. Often these medicines are used in combinations. It is also important to learn which foods affect your diabetes most and to improve your activity. Most people with diabetes also check their blood sugar levels themselves to help with the treatment.
Where can you get help learning more about diabetes or learning how to take care of it? There are several places that can help you learn to take care of diabetes. These include community and senior centers, the public health department and diabetes education programs. If you have Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance coverage they will help to pay for education and supplies. If you do not have any insurance, there are other programs available to help you with medical care, education and supplies that are needed.
Do not be afraid of diabetes. People with diabetes can live long and healthy lives. They do not have to have the complications of diabetes. Learn more about it and how to help yourself and your family. |