The basics of diabetes
By Andy Soucier
Diabetes affects millions of people in the United States. The disease impacts many different parts of the body and can increase the risk of developing serious health problems.
Diabetes results when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, a hormone in the blood that is produced by the pancreas. Insulin allows sugar to get into cells so the body has the energy it needs to survive. When insulin levels are low, too much sugar can build up in the bloodstream and cause damage to the body.
There are three types of diabetes. Type one diabetes results when the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Type one diabetes usually develops during childhood or adolescence, and it is not preventable.
Type two diabetes is the most common form of the disease. It affects millions of Americans. It is often preventable and can impact people of any age, although your risk of developing this form of the disease increases as you get older. Risk factors include obesity, inactivity, family history, and race.
Gestational diabetes affects about four percent of pregnant women. This type of diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce the larger amounts of insulin needed during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away shortly after childbirth.
Diabetes can cause heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage, foot, eye, and skin problems, and other health issues. The disease can also increase stress. Fortunately, for those with diabetes, the impact can be reduced by making lifestyle changes and working closely with a healthcare provider to manage the disease.
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are two important things you can do to reduce your risk of developing type two diabetes. If you’re overweight, losing a few pounds can significantly reduce your risk.
Symptoms of diabetes include extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent urination, an increase in thirst, blurry vision, and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. If you experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor right away.
Fortunately, there are many local resources available to help people with diabetes manage the disease. One such resource is The Aroostook Medical Center’s Diabetes Self Management Training Program. This program provides diabetics with the skills they need to take control of the disease, including instruction on how to manage meal planning, exercise, and medications. The program, which includes eight hours of education and free follow up for a year, is coordinated by Lillian Wipperman, a diabetes nurse educator. Participants learn all about the ABCs of diabetes and find out what their glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers mean. With this program, diabetics can stay one step ahead of the disease.
Andy Soucier, a public information specialist at TAMC, wrote this article in consultation with diabetes educator Lillian Wipperman, a diabetes nurse educator at the hospital. To find out more about diabetes, join TAMC and the Mars Hill Rotary Club at a health fair on Saturday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Street Elementary School in Mars Hill.
