1. Information For Your Health

2. What Is Diabetes?  A chronic disease that has no cure, but can be treated effectively  Marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action or both  The cause continues to be a mystery although genetics and, obesity, and lack of exercise play important roles

3. Major Types of Diabetes Type I diabetes: This results from the body's failure to produce insulin. 5-10% of American have this type of diabetes Type 2 diabetes: This results from insulin resistance in that the body fails to use insulin properly. 90-95% of Americans have this type of diabetes Gestational diabetes: This occurs with pregnancy, but resolves after delivery. This requires monitoring due to a future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes Pre-diabetes: This is a condition in which a person's blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to diagnose type 2 diabetes

4. Facts and Figures About 23.6 million people in the United States have diabetes 5.7 million of these people have diabetes, but do not know it 57million Americans have pre-diabetes (This is a condition that in general is without symptoms) Given present trends, for those born in 2000, one in three Americans, and 1 in 2 minorities will develop diabetes in their lifetime

5. Health Disparities and Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population African Americans are 1.6 times more likely than whites to have diabetes. African Americans have a greater burden of complications such as blindness, kidney disease and amputations

6. Risk Factors For Getting Diabetes A family history of diabetes Being a member of a minority ethnic group as noted before Being overweight or obese Childhood obesity History of having diabetes during pregnancy Lack of exercise Diabetes can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle including weight control, exercise and a healthy diet

7. Signs and Symptoms  There may be no symptoms  Unexplained weight loss  Excessive thirst and excessive urination  Blurred vision  Repeated and persistent infections

8. Complications of Diabetes Heart disease and Stroke Hypertension Visual Loss Kidney disease Nervous system disease (neuropathy-loss of sensation, and at times foot pain) Amputations Dental disease Pregnancy complications Remember these complications are largely preventable!

9. All About Pre-diabetes A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be called diabetes Fasting blood sugar 100-125. (fasting blood sugar 126 or greater is diabetes, and a blood sugar 200 or greater after eating is consistent with diabetes) Helped by 30 minutes of moderate activity daily and 5-10% weight reduction

10. Thriving With Diabetes  Eat well as instructed by a dietician  Be active every day. Exercise 30-60 minutes daily  See your health care team regularly at agreed on times. Call them for any problems  Take charge of your health, you are responsible for controlling your blood sugar  Check your blood sugar regularly at home (fasting and after supper, and other times as needed)  Take your medication as prescribed, even if you have no symptoms of diabetes.

11. Thriving With Diabetes (Cont.) Take care of your heart: watch your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides Take care of your eyes: have a dilated eye exam each year Take care of your feet: inspect your feet, and have them looked at during appointments Take care of your kidneys: get needed blood and urine tests Get your Hemoglobin A1c (HGBA1c) checked every 3-6 months. This tells how well your diabetes is controlled

12. Some Important Goals Blood pressure Less than 130/80 Cholesterol LDL less than 100 HDL above 45 (men) HDL above 55 (women) Triglycerides Less than 150 HGBa1c Less than 7 BMI (Body Mass Index as on available charts based on height and weight) Less than 25, or at least 5-10% weight loss if needed

13. A Healthy Diet Rich in vegetables and fruits Use of whole grain, high fiber food: oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat baked goods Consume fish, especially fish such as salmon and tuna twice weekly Limit intake of saturated fats, and trans fat (partially hydrogenated fats) Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt Use lean meat and low fat dairy products People with diabetes can eat the same food the family eats, with attention to food choices

14. Some important medications you might need to take  Aspirin (in general 81 mg daily)  Lisinopril, Cozaar and other such drugs to protect your kidneys  Statins: To control your cholesterol e.g. Lovastatin, Zocor, Lipitor  Oral medications for glucose control: glyburide, glipizide, metformin  Insulin: examples: NPH, Regular, 70/30 You should discuss these with your doctor

15. Remember: You can thrive with diabetes, and possibly prevent pre- diabetes and diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle

16. Some Helpful Web Sites 1) American Diabetes Association Home PageAmerican Diabetes Association Home Page 2) WHO | DiabetesWHO | Diabetes 3) CDC's Diabetes Program - Publications & Products - National Diabetes Fact SheetCDC's Diabetes Program - Publications & Products - National Diabetes Fact Sheet 4) FCIC: Diabetes -- Fact SheetFCIC: Diabetes -- Fact Sheet Please click on underlined item while in slide show mode (press F5 for slide show mode)

17. A Ministry of the Park Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church Health Ministry Department 3385 Albion Street Denver, Colorado 80207 Phone: 303-333-5089 E-mail: parkhill@denverparkhillsda.org