If you have Type 2 diabetes, you're definitely not alone.
According the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 26 million
Americans, or 8% of the population, have this condition. And an
estimated 79 million adults have pre-diabetes. What's more, about 1 in
every 400 children and adolescents has the disease. It's a serious
epidemic that's only getting worse.
What Causes Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or when your insulin isn't working the way it should. Either way, the result is too much sugar in your blood. Here are a couple of things you should remember:
1. Don't panic! With the help of a professional healthcare team including your doctor and diabetes educator, you can live a healthy and productive life. But you should also know that diabetes is a serious disease with potentially life-threatening complications.
2. Get informed and take control. If you want to have the odds in your favor, you need to learn as much as possible about your diabetes and what actions you need to take to keep things as well controlled as possible.
Just How Serious is Diabetes?
As we said, uncontrolled diabetes can result in some very serious complications. You need to know what they are so you and your healthcare team can watch for warning signs and do everything possible to prevent these issues. The potential complications of diabetes include:
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes and circulatory problems)
• Retinal (eye) damage and possible blindness
• Kidney damage, which can result in the need for dialysis and/or kidney transplantation
• Nerve damage, which can be extremely painful and also increase the risk for amputation
Can These Complications Be Prevented?
In a word, yes. Several major research studies have demonstrated conclusively that proper care can help prevent the devastating complications that often occur with diabetes. The ADA has developed the following guidelines to help you and your healthcare team manage your disease:
1. Eat a nutritious diet.
2. Get regular exercise.
3. Keep your Hemoglobin A1c (Hgb A1c) at 7% or less. New data suggests that a Hemoglobin A1c of less than 7.5% may not be indicated for some people with Type 2 diabetes. Discuss an optimal goal with your physician.
4. Maintain your blood pressure at less than 130/80 mmHg. Discuss an optimal goal with your physician.
5. Keep your LDL cholesterol at 100 mg/dl or less. For many people with Type 2 diabetes, an LDL cholesterol of 70 mg/dl or less is recommended.
6. Control your triglycerides. Discuss an optimal goal with your physician.
7. Take an aspirin daily. Confirm with your doctor that aspirin is appropriate for you.
8. Have a foot exam at each doctor visit and a monofilament exam at least once a year.
9. Have a yearly dilated eye exam.
10. Have a yearly urine microalbumin test.
11. Get a pneumonia vaccination and a yearly flu shot.
12. If you smoke cigarettes, stop.
Don't worry if you don't understand everything. Learning about diabetes is a lifelong endeavor and new information is becoming available all the time. Never hesitate to contact your healthcare team with questions or concerns.
What Causes Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or when your insulin isn't working the way it should. Either way, the result is too much sugar in your blood. Here are a couple of things you should remember:
1. Don't panic! With the help of a professional healthcare team including your doctor and diabetes educator, you can live a healthy and productive life. But you should also know that diabetes is a serious disease with potentially life-threatening complications.
2. Get informed and take control. If you want to have the odds in your favor, you need to learn as much as possible about your diabetes and what actions you need to take to keep things as well controlled as possible.
Just How Serious is Diabetes?
As we said, uncontrolled diabetes can result in some very serious complications. You need to know what they are so you and your healthcare team can watch for warning signs and do everything possible to prevent these issues. The potential complications of diabetes include:
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes and circulatory problems)
• Retinal (eye) damage and possible blindness
• Kidney damage, which can result in the need for dialysis and/or kidney transplantation
• Nerve damage, which can be extremely painful and also increase the risk for amputation
Can These Complications Be Prevented?
In a word, yes. Several major research studies have demonstrated conclusively that proper care can help prevent the devastating complications that often occur with diabetes. The ADA has developed the following guidelines to help you and your healthcare team manage your disease:
1. Eat a nutritious diet.
2. Get regular exercise.
3. Keep your Hemoglobin A1c (Hgb A1c) at 7% or less. New data suggests that a Hemoglobin A1c of less than 7.5% may not be indicated for some people with Type 2 diabetes. Discuss an optimal goal with your physician.
4. Maintain your blood pressure at less than 130/80 mmHg. Discuss an optimal goal with your physician.
5. Keep your LDL cholesterol at 100 mg/dl or less. For many people with Type 2 diabetes, an LDL cholesterol of 70 mg/dl or less is recommended.
6. Control your triglycerides. Discuss an optimal goal with your physician.
7. Take an aspirin daily. Confirm with your doctor that aspirin is appropriate for you.
8. Have a foot exam at each doctor visit and a monofilament exam at least once a year.
9. Have a yearly dilated eye exam.
10. Have a yearly urine microalbumin test.
11. Get a pneumonia vaccination and a yearly flu shot.
12. If you smoke cigarettes, stop.
Don't worry if you don't understand everything. Learning about diabetes is a lifelong endeavor and new information is becoming available all the time. Never hesitate to contact your healthcare team with questions or concerns.
Lee Lefton is the owner of Lefton Creative Works. He helps
companies in healthcare and other industries communicate their messages
in the most compelling ways that inspire people to action. Lee can be
reached at http://www.leftoncreativeworks.com or 505-995-8461
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