November is diabetes month

Jennifer Allan PHEc, RD | Nov 18, 2010

What is Diabetes? Your body makes energy by turning carbohydrate foods (fruit, milk, and grains and starches) into glucose. To use this glucose properly your body needs insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of glucose (or sugar) in your blood. If you have diabetes, your body is unable to use glucose properly and glucose will build up in your blood instead of being used for energy. There are four different types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, Pre- and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes is caused by the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Those diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes no longer have the ability to produce insulin and will require regular insulin injections for the rest of their lives. Without this treatment Type 1 Diabetes can be fatal. Type 1 Diabetes (once referred to as juvenile-onset or insulin dependent diabetes) is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, but can occur at any age.

Type 2 Diabetes is about ten times more common than Type 1 and is caused by a combination of insufficient insulin and insulin resistance. While adults are more likely to be affected by Type 2 Diabetes (once referred to as adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes), more and more children are being diagnosed with this disease. Oral medications and positive lifestyle change (including healthy eating and exercise) may be just as effective for some individuals in managing their diabetes. In many cases insulin injections may be required to manage blood glucose levels.

Type 2 Diabetes does not occur overnight (although any individual may be surprised by the diagnosis). Most often it is preceded by a period of time in which your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not quite high enough to say you have diabetes. This is called pre-diabetes. At this stage, positive lifestyle change can significantly prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. If diagnosed early and managed properly, the pregnancy can progress with little to no complications and after delivery blood glucose levels typically return to normal.

Who is at risk? The most common risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes include:

AgeHaving a close relative with diabetesPoor eating habits and inactivityBeing overweightHaving heart disease, high cholesterol, or high blood pressureBeing a member of a high risk population (those of Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian or African descent)

If you are 40 years or older you should ask your doctor to test you for diabetes and continue with regular testing every three years. If you have any of the other risk factors listed above you should be tested for diabetes earlier and more frequently.

If you are at risk for diabetes, your health care providers (including the dietitian and nurse educator) can provide you with information and support to make healthy lifestyle changes and prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

Complications: Diabetes is more than a “sugar problem”. If left untreated or improperly managed, many long-term complications can occur. These complications include heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and erectile dysfunction.

The good news: It is possible to live a long and healthy life once diagnosed with diabetes by keeping your blood glucose levels within target range. Ways to improve blood glucose levels include healthy eating, regular physical activity and taking diabetes medications if prescribed by your physician. Talk to your health care team about creating a personalized diabetes care plan.

(Jennifer Allan, PHEc, RD is the Registered Dietitian with the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team. She can be contacted at 613-279-2100)