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| Knox County Community Health Coalition Penobscot Bay YMCA, Coalition Partner |
People with diabetes have a shortage of insulin or a decreased ability to use insulin, a
hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be converted to energy. When
diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood and, over time, damage vital
organs.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of adult blindness, kidney failure, and non-
traumatic lower extremity amputation. It can lead to heart disease, stroke, pregnancy
complications, and deaths related to flu and pneumonia. Heart disease is the leading cause of
diabetes-related deaths, and death rates are about 2–4 times higher for adults with diabetes
than for those without the disease.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 most often appears during childhood or
adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and physical inactivity, accounts for
90%–95% of diabetes cases and most often appears in people older than 40. However, it is
now being found in younger people and is even being diagnosed among children and teens.
hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be converted to energy. When
diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood and, over time, damage vital
organs.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of adult blindness, kidney failure, and non-
traumatic lower extremity amputation. It can lead to heart disease, stroke, pregnancy
complications, and deaths related to flu and pneumonia. Heart disease is the leading cause of
diabetes-related deaths, and death rates are about 2–4 times higher for adults with diabetes
than for those without the disease.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 most often appears during childhood or
adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and physical inactivity, accounts for
90%–95% of diabetes cases and most often appears in people older than 40. However, it is
now being found in younger people and is even being diagnosed among children and teens.
Diabetes
Preventable and Controllable.
Although the increasing burden of diabetes and its complications is
alarming, recent studies have found that lifestyle changes that include
moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent the onset of diabetes
among adults at high risk. For people already living with diabetes, much of
this burden could be prevented with early detection, improved delivery of
care, proper self-management measures such as regular blood pressure,
cholesterol, and A1C testing, as well as education initiatives that provide
the knowledge and resources for people to take action to control their
diabetes. For example,
alarming, recent studies have found that lifestyle changes that include
moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent the onset of diabetes
among adults at high risk. For people already living with diabetes, much of
this burden could be prevented with early detection, improved delivery of
care, proper self-management measures such as regular blood pressure,
cholesterol, and A1C testing, as well as education initiatives that provide
the knowledge and resources for people to take action to control their
diabetes. For example,
- Studies in the United States and abroad have found that better
blood glucose control reduces the risk for eye disease, kidney
disease, and nerve disease by 40% in people with type 1 or type 2
diabetes.
- Blood pressure control reduces the risk for heart disease and
stroke among people with diabetes by 33%–50%. It also reduces
the risk for eye, kidney, and nerve diseases by about 33%.
Detecting and treating early diabetic kidney disease by lowering
blood pressure can reduce the decline in kidney function by 30%
–70%.
- Improved control of blood cholesterol levels can reduce
cardiovascular complications by 20%–50%.
- Detecting and treating diabetic eye disease with laser therapy can
reduce the risk for loss of eyesight by about 50%–60%.
Comprehensive foot care programs can reduce amputation rates by
45%–85%.
| If you need more information or resources on diabetes, please speak with or e-mail Nancy Laite, Program Specialist for the Knox County Community Health Coalition, at 594-5440 or nllaite2@verizon.net. |
What To Do
If you have diabetes, you can be healthy and reduce
the risks of complications when you:
If you have diabetes, you can be healthy and reduce
the risks of complications when you:
- Eat healthy, nutritious food in moderate amounts
- Be physically active every day
- Check you blood sugar regularly
- Take the medicine that your medical provider
prescribes - See your medical provider regularly
- Keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and
cholesterol as close to the normal range as
possible
| Links: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/index.htm |
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| If you need more information or resources on diabetes, please speak with or e-mail Nancy Laite, Program Specialist for the Knox County Community Health Coalition, at 236-6313 or nllaite2@myfairpoint.net |
