Diabetes affects people of all ages. In fact, more than 37 million adults and children in the United States have diabetes and according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 8.7 million of these adults do not know they have it.
If someone has diabetes, it means their body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it as well as it should, resulting in too much blood sugar or glucose in the bloodstream. With proper treatment, diabetes can be manageable.
However, over time, without proper treatment, elevated blood sugar levels can rise and cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, nerve damage, issues with the feet and kidney disease.
As part of its mission to keep our community healthy, Lee Health offers a variety of resources for patients to treat and manage diabetes. A yearly checkup with a physician can also help monitor diabetes risk. To make an appointment with a physician, or to learn more about diabetes, please visit www.leehealth.org.
DOES DIABETES HAVE SYMPTOMS?
Many people do not recognize symptoms or may mistake them for something else. Here are some things to look out for:
– Feeling very thirsty for extended periods of time
– Urinating more often than usual
– Blurry vision
– Feeling tired more than usual
– Sores that are slow to heal
A physician may order one or more of the following tests to determine if it is diabetes:
– A1C blood test
– Fasting blood glucose
– Glucose tolerance test
If any abnormalities are detected, a physician will follow up and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific health needs.
MAIN TYPES OF DIABETES
There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, type 2 and gestational.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the pancreas makes very little, if any insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter cells, where it’s used as a vital source of energy for the body’s functions.
Type 2 diabetes usually develops over a long period of time with minimal symptoms. It is a chronic health condition and happens when the cells of the body are not responding to insulin like they should. If this happens, the pancreas will often make high levels of insulin to overcompensate.
If you notice any of the symptoms outlined above, please make an appointment with a physician as soon as possible.
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy and usually resolves after the baby is born.
WHAT IS PREDIABETES?
The CDC says about 98 million Americans have prediabetes, but more than eight in 10 adults don’t know they have it.
Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. The long-lasting lifestyle adjustments you make in the diabetes prevention program will help to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
HOW DO I MANAGE DIABETES?
If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, these are common conditions and plenty of support is available. With proper management, is it possible to lead a normal, healthy life.
Lee Health’s certified diabetes care and education specialists offer three educational programs: Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Self-Management, and Pregnancy and Diabetes.
– Diabetes Prevention: For people diagnosed with prediabetes
– Diabetes Self-Management: For people diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
– Pregnancy and Diabetes: For women who have diabetes and become pregnant or are diagnosed with gestational diabetes
Courses are offered in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. One-on-one appointments are also available.
Please call 239-424-3127 to register for the program that fits your needs. To learn more, visit https://www.leehealth.org/our-services/lee-health-solutions/diabetes-education-support or contact our office at 239-424-3127.
Laura Cross is a certified diabetes care and education specialist at Lee Health. For more information, visit https://www.leehealth.org/.
To reach LAURA CROSS, please email