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What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that prevents the body from properly using food for energy. It is characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in either insulin production, insulin action, or both. There are different types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes, which is also often referred to as “insulin-dependent” or “juvenile-onset” diabetes, requires injections of insulin on a regular basis—either through shots or with an insulin pump. Type 1 Diabetes develops when the body's immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, the only cells in the body that make the insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose.Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes, which is also often referred to “non-insulin-dependent” or “adult-onset” diabetes, accounts for the vast majority of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. This type of diabetes usually begins as insulin resistance, a disorder in which the cells do not use insulin properly. As the need for insulin rises, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce it. Type 2 diabetes is often—but not always—associated with older age, a family history of diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose metabolism, physical inactivity, and obesity.Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a form of glucose intolerance that occurs during a pregnancy. It requires treatment to normalize maternal blood glucose levels so that complications that could affect the baby can be avoided. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at greater risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.
Diabetes Statistics
More than 23 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and this number continues to grow. Each year, an additional 1.6 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes.
Of special concern, however, are those who have diabetes but do not know it. Experts estimate that more than 25 percent of people with diabetes—more than 5 million people—don’t know they have it.
With proper care, diabetes can be managed and its health impact can be minimized. Without proper care, however, complications of diabetes can sometimes include hypertension, heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and damage to the nervous system.
Additional information about diabetes and its growing prevalence in the U.S. can be found in the “National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007” at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf
A joint effort by several public and private organizations with a special interest in diabetes, this fact sheet is the most up-to-date national assessment of diabetes and its impact on our citizens.
Treatment and Management of Diabetes
Diabetes is treated and managed through a variety of mechanisms. And even though its occurrence is widespread, every patient with diabetes requires unique medical care—specifically designed for each patient’s individualized needs. At Diabetes Care Group, our treatment plans include a five-pronged approach that covers (1) diet and nutrition, (2) exercise, (3) medication, (4) blood glucose monitoring, and (5) education and personalized counseling.
Diet and Nutrition
When you have diabetes, you truly “are what you eat.” Blood glucose levels go up and down in direct proportion to what, when, and how much you eat. Knowing the right choices for you as an individual is key to managing your disease.Exercise
The health benefits of exercising and being active for those with diabetes have long been substantiated. But since people with pre-diabetes and diabetes may have a heart or other diabetes-related problem, we provide personalized advice on the type, duration, and intensity of an exercise program that would be best for you.
Medication
There are several different types of medications that are used to help control diabetes and its complications. We will work with you to determine if medications are necessary and, if they are, we will identify the right medication to address your specific needs.
Blood Glucose Monitoring
Frequently checking blood glucose levels provides the information we need to help continually evaluate your treatment plan. Frequent, small, adjustments to respond to blood glucose levels are an effective tool for diabetes management.Education and Personalized Counseling
We know that the day-to-day management of diabetes is done by the person with diabetes. At Diabetes Care Group, we provide diabetes education classes and personalized counseling so that our patients are better equipped to manage their disease effectively.
Prevention
In addition to the more than 23 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes, there are an estimated 57 million with “pre-diabetes.” Pre-diabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes: they have either “impaired fasting glucose” or “impaired glucose tolerance,” or both.
People with pre-diabetes can often prevent the development of Type 2 Diabetes by making changes in their diet and by increasing their level of physical activity. For some people with pre-diabetes, intervening early can actually turn back the clock and return elevated blood glucose levels to the normal range.
There are two tests to detect pre-diabetes: one is a fasting plasma glucose test, and the other is an oral glucose tolerance test. With the first test, a person’s blood glucose is measured first thing in the morning before eating. With the second test, a person’s blood glucose is checked after fasting and again two hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink.
Where Can I Go For More Information?
There are several websites that offer a wealth of information about diabetes and its management. As a valuable resource for information about the disease, medications, exercise, living with diabetes, and diabetic supplies and tools, we recommend the following:
| American Diabetes Association | www.diabetes.org |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | www.cdc.gov/diabetes |
| Diabetes In Control | www.diabetesincontrol.com |
| Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi | www.msdiabetes.org |
| Joslin Diabetes Clinics | www.joslin.org |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation | www.jdrf.org |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - Mississippi | www.jdrfmississippi.org |
| Mississippi State Department of Health | www.healthyms.com/HealthyLiving/_static/47,0,266.html |
| National Diabetes Education Initiative | www.ndei.org |
| National Diabetes Education Program | www.ndep.nih.gov |
| For more information about diet and nutrition, we recommend you visit the following sites: | |
| American Dietetic Association | www.eatright.org |
| Recipes for Diabetics | www.diabeticgourmet.com |
| Carbohydrate Counting | www.bd.com/us/diabetes/hcp |
| Food Database | www.calorieking.com |
Finally, children with diabetes have special needs and concerns. The following sites may be found to be beneficial:
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
www.barbaradaviscenter.org
www.diabetescamps.org
www.kidslearnaboutdiabetes.org