Diabetes
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes occurs when one’s blood glucose levels are too high. The human body obtains glucose from the food we eat. Insulin helps the glucose work its way into cells in the body to create energy.
Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes means your body is unable to make the insulin hormone. Receiving a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis means your body is not making good use of the insulin. When insulin is not processed well by the body, the glucose stays in the blood, which can lead to more serious problems with your health.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
These symptoms can occur at any age but most often are observed in children, adolescents or teens. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Hunger
- Thirsty feeling
- Increased urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blurry eyesight
- Tingling feeling or loss of feeling in your feet
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
These symptoms may develop over time and you may not even realize you have diabetes. You should be aware of these Type 2 diabetes symptoms:
- Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Fatigue or irritable feeling
- Blurred eyesight
- Frequent and/or slow-healing sores or infections
- Areas of darkened skin
Pre-diabetes
Many times Type 2 diabetes patients will exhibit pre-diabetes symptoms before being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes occurs with when blood glucose or sugar levels become higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. At this time, it is possible to delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes by following these steps:
- Cut back on calories and fat
- Be more physically active
- Lose excess weight
As you age, your risk of becoming pre-diabetic increases. Your physicians should check your blood glucose if your are:
- 45 years of age or older
- Overweight
- Under age 45 and overweight and have risk factors for diabetes
Risk Factors for Diabetes:
- Being overweight
- Being physically inactive
- Family history of diabetes
- Being of African American, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Hispanic American origin
- Having high blood pressure of140/90 mmHg or higher
- Having low HDL cholesterol – 35 mg/dl or lower or high triglycerides of 250 mg/dl or higher
Talk to your doctor if you notice symptoms of pre-diabetes or have a family history of diabetes. You may need to have a blood glucose monitored to determine if pre-diabetes is a condition you need to manage.
Metabolic Syndrome
A group of unhealthy risk factors combine to create metabolic syndrome. Combined, these risk factors increase your chance for developing heart disease, diabetes, and may lead to an eventual stroke.
Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
- A large waistline of at least 35-inches in women, and 40-inches in men
- A higher level of triglycerides
- A lower level of HDL, the good cholesterol,
- High blood pressure
- Higher than normal fasting blood sugar
Genetics and being older in age are also underlying causes of metabolic syndrome. It is possible to prevent metabolic syndrome though lifestyle changes. It is recommended that you talk to your physician if you feel these risk factors fit your current state of health and lifestyle.
Diabetes and Foot Problems
Having diabetes often leads to foot infections and injuries because the disease changes the way your body fights infection. When the diabetic condition is not managed properly damage may occur to blood vessels resulting in poor blood and oxygen flow to the foot. This poor form of circulation may cause small sores or broken skin that may become deeper and more severe foot ulcers. If not cared for properly, these ulcers may lead to amputation.
Diabetic patients should follow these steps to ensure proper health of feet:
- Improve how you manage your blood sugar levels.
- Stop smoking to increase blood flow to the feet.
- Allow your physician to check the condition of your feet at least twice a year.
- Check and care for your own feet every day. Especially if you are having problems with infections or ulcers.
Recommended Foot Care
- Wash your feet in lukewarm water and mild soap daily.
- After bathing your feet, apply lotion, petroleum jelly or oil to your feet. It is not recommended that you apply lotion between the toes.
- Trim nails straight across.
- Avoid sitting with legs crossed or standing in the same position for
long periods of time.
- Wear comfortable well-fitting leather or canvas shoes.
- Wear clean dry socks that are not binding everyday.
- Wear socks to bed if feet are cold.
- Allow your nurse or physician to treat corns or calluses.
- Make sure your nurse or physician knows when you are having problems
with your feet.
Proper foot health is dependant on the patient. Maintaining control over your diabetes, eating right and exercising can help you avoid injury to your feet.
The following education sheets maybe useful in the management of your diabetes:
The Cotton-O’Neil Diabetes and Endocrinology Center houses five diabetes and endocrinology specialists and two pediatric endocrinologists, who can assist you with your diabetes diagnosis and progress. Talk to your primary care physician if you feel you would benefit from the assistance of one of these diabetes and endocrinology sub-specialty physicians.
The Diabetes Learning Center (DLC) exists to help you manage your diabetes through education classes and support groups. To learn more click here.
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