Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus. What is it? How do I know if I have it? Why should I treat it? Can I prevent it? How is it managed? These questions will be answered in this article.

Diabetes occurs when you have too much sugar in the blood. This can result from a reduced or non-existent production of insulin, a hormone required for our cells to uptake sugar. Without insulin, our body cells do not recognize the sugar. So despite the fact that sugar is present in our blood, our cells cannot use that sugar. Alternately, we can have adequate amounts of insulin in our blood (sometimes even too much insulin), yet our body cells do not recognize the insulin, and therefore sugar present. In this case, there is a problem with cell recognition (not production of insulin). You may have heard of Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. These categories refer to the mechanism in which your body developed Diabetes, i.e. Production of insulin and/or reduced cell recognition. Categorizing Diabetes into Type 1 or 2 is only important in the treatment of Diabetes - whether to take pills or inject insulin. Both types of Diabetes share the same complications and should be managed with diet in the same way.

How do I know if I have Diabetes? Diabetes must be diagnosed by a medical doctor. When should you see your doctor to discuss whether or not you have Diabetes? If ever your blood sugar is greater than 11mmol/L. This is a blood test sometimes offered at pharmacies. Home blood glucose monitors and laboratories (with a doctor's order) also perform this test. Or, if you haven't eaten or drunk anything for more than 2 hours and your blood sugar is greater than 7mmol/L. Symptoms of high blood sugar include unusual thirst, frequent urination, unusual weight loss, extreme fatigue or lack of energy, blurred vision, frequent or recurring infections, cuts and bruises that are slow to heal and tingling or numbness in hands or feet.

Why should I treat my Diabetes? Is it serious? If left untreated, Diabetes can cause blindness, heart attacks and strokes, kidney failure, leg amputations, and impotence.

Can I prevent Diabetes? Scientists believe that lifestyle and type 2 diabetes are closely linked. This means that lifestyle is one area individuals can focus on to help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. A healthy diet, weight control, exercise and reduction in stress are important prevention steps.

How do I manage my Diabetes? Today, more than ever before, people with diabetes can expect to live active, independent and vital lives if they make a lifelong commitment to careful management of the disease. In fact, often living the 'diabetic way' is simply living the 'healthy way'. Management of Diabetes includes:

• Education. Our knowledge of Diabetes has grown significantly. Anyone with Diabetes should take part in Diabetes Education classes about every 5 years. Knowing more about your body empowers you to take control and make educated lifestyle choices.
• Meal Planning. What, when and how much you eat play an important role in regulating how well your body manages blood sugar levels.
• Exercise. Regular exercise helps your body lower blood sugars, promotes weight loss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness.
• Healthy Weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important in the control of type 2 diabetes.
• Medication. Type 1 diabetes always requires daily injections of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is controlled through exercise and meal planning and may require medications and/or insulin to assist the body in making or using insulin more effectively.
• Lifestyle Management: Learning to reduce stress levels in day-to-day life can help people with diabetes better manage their disease. Particularly smoking cessation. If you are a smoker with Diabetes, your risk of developing complications such as heart disease, leg amputations and poor wound healing, increase significantly.

The point of this article is to educate and stimulate action. If you have diabetes and have not seen a Diabetes Educator in the past 5 years, it is advisable to make an appointment with the Diabetes Education Team at the hospital (905) 372-6811. See your doctor to discuss treatment goals. What should your blood pressure be? Your cholesterol? Your weight? Protect your heart, ask you doctor if an aspirin a day is right for you. Take care of your eyes, see an eye doctor annually. Inspect your feet daily and ask your doctor to check your feet, too. Do a yearly urine test to check your kidneys.

Remember, Diabetes is manageable and people with Diabetes can often live a long and enjoyable life if they make a commitment to themselves. You are part of the Health Care Team. You can make responsible, informed choices.

This article was written by Susie Jin, Northumberland's only Certified Diabetes Educator Pharmacist. Susie works at General Nutrition Pharmacy and is affiliated with the Northumberland Health Care Centre's Diabetes Education Department. If you should have any comments or questions, Susie can be contacted at General Nutrition Pharmacy on Division Street, Cobourg (905) 372-8GNP (372-8467) or check out www.gnp.ca.