Diabetes- Are You at Risk?

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth

What is Diabetes Diabetes- a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar in foods that you eat is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. Glucose circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. If you have diabetes, this process breaks down, and blood sugar levels become too high.

Types of Diabetes .Type 1 Diabetes- a life-long condition in which the pancreas stops making insulin. Without insulin, the body is not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. . Type 2 Diabetes- a condition in which the body either makes too little insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it makes to convert blood glucose to energy.                          

Normal Values There are two tests that are used to check your blood for sugar (glucose) levels: Normal Fasting Blood Sugar range is 70-110 mg/dl- you can test this by a finger stick and using a glucometer (a machine that tests your blood sugar) Normal Hemoglobin A1C is below 7%- it measures your average blood sugar over the previous 3 months- this is a test that only healthcare providers can do

Risk Factors of Diabetes Obesity Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) High cholesterol Race - certain races have higher rates African Americans Hispanic Americans Mexican Americans Native Americans Family history of Type-2 diabetes Inactive lifestyle

Why are Risk Factors Good to Know? Because you can prevent complications of diabetes such as: Extremely high or low blood sugar Heart disease- blocked blood vessels High blood pressure Vascular disease of your toes, feet, and legs Kidney disease- renal failure Eye disease- retinopathy Nerve damage- neuropathy

CAUTION!! Early signs & symptoms Frequent urination Frequent thirst Frequent eating Fatigue Unexplained weight loss Poor wound healing Blurry vision *If you experience these symptoms contact your healthcare provider.

How to Prevent Diabetes Eat a well balanced diet- avoid foods high in sugar, carbohydrates, salt and cholesterol Exercise regularly Maintain ideal body weight Annual health checkups

References Black, J. & Hawks, J. (2009). Medical-Surgical Nursing: Clinical Management for Positive Outcomes. (8th ed.) St. Louis: Saunders/Elsevier. http://bibleresources.bible.com http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/d/diabetes/subtypes.htm#typeslist www.diabetes.com www.google.com/diabetes

Authors Latoya Buchanan, SN, WSSU Lorraine Harris, SN, WSSU Frances Williams, SN, WSSU Fall 2009