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A Guide To Diabetes Education, Prevention And Diagnosis |
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Written by Webmaster
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Friday, 26 December 2008 |
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By Dakota Bressler
 Diabetes is a growing problem throughout the United States, with the number of people affected by the disease more than doubling in the past 15 years. Over five million people are living with it and don't even know it, making diabetes education, prevention and diagnosis a vital part of health care in America.
Diabetes Education - What Is It?
This is a disease that affects the body's ability to change sugar and starch into energy. Someone with this condition is unable to either use or produce insulin. There are a few different types: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational.
Type 1 is typically diagnosed in children or young adults. Because people with Type 1 no longer produce insulin, they must take insulin daily, by either a shot or insulin pump. Type 2 is typically diagnosed in older adults, although recently more and more younger Americans are being diagnosed as American lives become more sedentary. It occurs when the body no longer knows how to use insulin and accounts for the majority of cases in America.
The last form is gestational.
This can occur in 4% of pregnant women and typically disappears after the baby is born. It can usually be controlled with proper diet and exercise, so diabetes education is important once a pregnant woman has been diagnosed. Because this condition occurs later in pregnancy, there isn't a risk of birth defects, though the condition can cause the baby to store excess fat, increasing the risk of a cesarean section.
How To Prevent It
This affliction is a major cause of adult blindness, kidney failure and amputation of lower extremities. It can also cause pregnancy complications, heart disease and strokes. Because of the many problems it can cause, it's important to focus on prevention.
Many people who are at risk for Type 2 can reverse the risk by simply improving their diet and exercising more often. The impact of just modest diet and exercise changes can reduce the risk drastically and studies have found that the benefit isn't limited to any gender or ethnic group. Preventing this disease can be as easy as cutting out sugary soft drinks and fruit juice, eating more whole fruits, vegetables and whole grains and controlling food portions. Anything that reduces someone's risk of obesity also helps prevent it. Even people with early or pre-diabetes can dramatically slow the progression of the disease with diet and exercise.
After A Diagnosis
Once someone's been diagnosed, it's a good idea to take a course and become educated on the affliction. Many health centers offer diabetes education courses that can help anyone who's been diagnosed or family and friends. Because it can require a special diet, it's important to teach everyone in a household how the disease affects the body, especially if the diagnosis is for Type 2. Oftentimes, insurance companies will pay for a portion of a course so it's a good idea to check with your doctor or insurance company.
This is a life changing disease for millions of Americans and their loved ones, but with proper care it is possible to lead a healthy, full life. Diabetes education can help patients cope with Type 1, Type 2 and gestational, as well as slow the progression of Type 2.
Dakota Bressler is a health advocate who supports Citrus Memorial Health Foundation, a group of health care providers with a hospital and offices serving Citrus County, FL and surrounding areas. The foundation focuses on preventative care, such as diabetes education, as well as all facets of health care.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 December 2008 )
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