Post on 25-Jun-2015
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Diabetes & Me
What is diabetes anyway?Diabetes is a disease characterized by too much sugar in the blood. Normally the hormone, insulin, carries the glucose to all the body’s cells to create energy. In Type 2 Diabetes, the insulin is either not functioning properly or at all. The high levels of sugar left in the blood can starve your body’s cells from energy. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. Diabetes can also lead to a premature
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I have diabetes.So what does this really mean?
Diabetes is a disease in which glucose (or
sugar) is not properly broken down by the
body. There are two main types of
diabetes. They are called Type 1 Diabetes
and Type 2 Diabetes. More than 90% of
people with the disease have Type 2
Diabetes. This booklet will focus on Type
2 Diabetes and what you can do to live a
long, healthy life.
In Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas produces
insulin but the body’s cells do not use the
insulin properly. This is called insulin
resistance. Type 2 Diabetes can be
controlled with proper diet and exercise,
sometimes combined with medications or
insulin injections.
Normal blood sugar ranges between 70-
130 mg/dL before meals. Blood sugar
that is too low is called hypoglycemia.
Blood sugar that is too high is called
hyperglycemia. Both can be very
dangerous. Monitoring your blood sugar
with a home blood glucose (sugar)
monitor is important if you have diabetes
so you can avoid dangerous, and even life-
threatening high or low blood sugar levels.
Low blood sugar (less than 70 mg/dL) can
cause sweating, nervousness, shakiness,
weakness and hunger. When this occurs,
you must act quickly to raise your blood
sugar. Try drinking a cup of fruit juice or a
regular soda. When you are starting to
feel better, follow up with a bowl of cereal
or some crackers and milk.
High blood sugar (greater than 130 mg/dL)
can cause increased thirst and urination,
nausea, vomiting and confusion. If you
have these symptoms, check your blood
sugar. Get emergency care if you have
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I feel fine now.
How can diabetes affect my life
Not all people experience the symptoms of diabetes. In fact, lots of people who have diabetes don’t even know it because they do not feel any different. It is important to know that even if you feel fine, you still must manage diabetes through diet, exercise and medications, if prescribed. It is also necessary to check your blood sugar regularly. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications.
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Infection
People with diabetes are at higher risk of getting infections. High blood sugar
causes high levels of sugar in your body’s tissues. Bacteria thrive in areas
that have sugar and infections result because of this. The body’s defense
system is also decreased in people with diabetes. The most common places
for infection are your bladder, kidneys, vagina, gums, feet and skin. Early
treatment of infections can prevent more serious complications. The diabetic
person should treat even a small cut seriously.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that in diabetics tend to be in the
arms, legs, hands and feet. Neuropathy can feel like pins and needles,
tingling, burning, stabbing or shooting pain. A loss of sensation to touch or
temperature may also occur. Complications may result from not being able to
feel pressure or injury to the feet. Blisters and sores may go unnoticed
because diabetics are unable to feel them. Infections in the feet can get so
serious that an amputation may be necessary.
Heart and Blood Vessel Disease (or Cardiovascular Disease)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a disease of the heart and blood vessels in
which the vessels can get hardened or clogged. The diseased vessels can
lead to heart attacks and strokes. People with diabetes are four times more
likely to get cardiovascular disease than non-diabetics. This is the number
one killer of people with diabetes. Diabetes can also lead to heart failure,
peripheral arterial disease or cerebral vascular disease. A doctor or nurse can
help you prevent symptoms of CVD.
Kidney Failure
Your kidneys work as filters to clean your blood and flush out wastes. High
blood sugar and high blood pressure can damage the filters in your kidneys.
There is no cure to kidney failure. Over time, the damage to the filters may
get so bad that your kidneys may fail at doing their job. You may have to
have a special machine clean your blood for you through a process called
dialysis. Sometimes a kidney transplant may be necessary. Blood sugar
control can help prevent kidney failure.
Complications in Diabetes High blood glucose (or blood sugar) can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood
vessels, eyes, and kidneys. By keeping your blood sugar within normal ranges, you can prevent
complications of diabetes.
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Oral Health
People who have diabetes have a higher risk of getting oral infections due to
high blood sugar. Bacteria thrive in tissues that have high amounts of sugar
and can cause infections. Sometimes these infections get so bad that you
can loose your teeth. People with uncontrolled diabetes may develop
bleeding and sore gums. This can further develop into an infection called
periodontitis. If you notice red, swollen, or painful gums, it is a good idea to
see a dentist to prevent worsening oral health.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the eyes. The high amounts of sugar in
the blood damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is
the leading cause of blindness in adults. The longer you have diabetes, the
higher your risk is for developing retinopathy. Symptoms include seeing
spots or floaters in your vision, having blurred vision, having dark or empty
spots in the center of your vision or difficulty seeing well at night.
Sexual Dysfunction
People with diabetes can develop sexual problems due to damage to the
nerves and blood vessels in sexual organs. Sexual dysfunction can happen to
men and women alike. In men, erectile dysfunction, or the inability to have
an erection may occur. Men may also experience retrograde ejaculation, a
dysfunction where the semen goes into the bladder instead of ejaculated out
of the penis. Women may experience decreased sexual excitement or
inability to become aroused.
Depression
Everyone feels down once in a while. But when life seems hopeless and that
feeling won’t go away for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing
depression. The daily stress of managing diabetes may overwhelm you at
times. Or the symptoms of complications related to diabetes may become
very bothersome to you. If you start feeling depressed, talk to your doctor or
nurse about it. Counseling, antidepressants or a combination of the two may
be the solution to help you through difficult times.
Complications in DiabetesBy keeping your blood sugar within normal ranges, you can avoid long-term complications of diabetes.
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The diabetic dietTastes great!
The key to a diabetic diet is controlling
your blood sugar levels. The best way to
control blood sugar levels is by eating a
wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
Another goal of a diabetic diet is
consistency. Try keeping a regular
schedule of what and when you eat by
eating meals and snacks at the same time
every day. The meals should be at four to
five hour intervals, and it is important not
to skip meals.
The most important aspect of the diabetic
diet is making proper decisions when
selecting foods. The best choices are fresh
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These
options should be a cornerstone of your
daily meal planning and should be
accompanied by foods with less sugar,
less fat, and less salt. Foods high in sugar,
fat, and salt are leading causes in the
development of diabetes. And, these types
of foods will make a diabetic condition
worse. If buying fresh fruits and
vegetables is too expensive of an option
for you, rinse canned and frozen foods
before cooking them to reduce the salt
level.
When planning a diabetic diet, it is
important to consider the sources of
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Carbohydrates have the greatest impact
on blood sugar levels. Including quality
carbohydrate options like whole grain
toast, apples, or corn on the cob at each
meal will help maintain proper blood sugar
levels. Simple carbohydrates increase
blood sugar. Lean proteins should be
paired with a variety of fruits and
vegetables. Fats should be limited to only
good fats like olive oil.
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Exercise Lots of opportunities right here in Pontiac!
No matter where you live in Pontiac,
you are near free or low cost outdoor
exercise opportunities. Pontiac has 14
city parks and a municipal golf
course.
Pontiac parks come in all sizes. From
small neighborhood parks, like
Richardson Park near downtown, to
large wooded parks, such as
Hawthorn Park. All parks offer
outdoor recreation possibilities
including walking, cycling, jogging, or
playing with children or
grandchildren.
Try taking a walk through Beaudette
Park. Beaudette Park is located off of
Orchard Lake Road on River Bank
Drive. Beaudette Park is home to
Dawsons Mill Pond, which is part of
the Clinton River. A relaxing stroll by
the pond is a great form of exercise.
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Another great, low cost way to make
exercise fun is playing a round of golf
at Pontiac Municipal Golf Course. The
golf course is located on Golf Drive
just 1/8 mile east of Telegraph Road.
The course offers a wonderful day
walking through wetlands, ponds,
wooded areas, and along the shore of
Crystal Lake. This municipal course
offers very low cost exercise to
Pontiac residents.
Golf offers great exercise. A round of
golf can include as much as four
miles of walking. In order to increase
the health benefit of golf, you should
walk the course while carrying or
pulling your clubs. A recent study by
the Rose Center for Health and Sports
Sciences found that a golfer who
walks a nine hole course can burn up
721 calories and 36 holes a week
Other recreational opportunities
abound in Pontiac. Walking and
jogging can occur anywhere. If you
want to keep track of the distance
you walk try the track at Wisner
Memorial Stadium. Located on Cesar
E. Chavez Avenue, just northwest of
downtown, Wisner Memorial Stadium
has a full outdoor athletic track open
to the public.
Another great opportunity is the
Clinton River Trail. The trail crosses
Pontiac as part of a 16-mile trail
network crossing several southeast
Michigan cities.
One of the best ways to add exercise
into your life is to walk your own
neighborhood. Walking where you
live does not just provide quality
exercise, but allows you to better
know your neighbors.
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Guidelines for checkupsWhen to see my doctor or nurse
In addition to eating a healthy diet and exercising
regularly, it is important to follow up with a health
care professional. Following the ABCs of Diabetes
can significantly reduce the chances of preventing
or delaying the complications of diabetes.
A: Hemoglobin A1C – This is a type of blood test
that tests your blood sugar over time. Get this
tested once a year. A good goal is to keep this
level under 7%.
B: Blood Pressure – Get your blood pressure
checked every time you go to the clinic. Your
blood pressure should be around 130/80. Talk to
your health care provider about achieving a
healthy blood pressure with medications if diet and
exercise does not reduce your blood pressure.
C: Cholesterol – Check this blood level once a year.
Your LDL or “bad” cholesterol should be less than
100. In addition to getting your blood levels
checked, it is important for you to get routine
physical examinations, eye care and foot care done
by your doctor or nurse.
Your health care provider may refer you to see a
special eye doctor called an ophthalmologist. The
ophthalmologist will assess your eyes by checking
to see how far and well you can see. You may get
special eye drops during the exam to better assess
for eye problems.
Foot care involves careful examination by a doctor
or nurse to check for any cuts, wounds or nerve
pain that accompanies diabetes.
The best way to avoid complications of diabetes is
to maintain a normal blood sugar through a proper
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Diabetes Care in Pontiac
Local resources for diabetes care, medications, & supplies
Medical & Dental Care
Diabetes Self-Care Management Program
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
44405 Woodward Ave
Pontiac, MI 48341
248-858-6653
Oakland Primary Health Services
1701 Baldwin Road
Suite 101
Pontiac, MI 48340
248-332-6747
Gary Burnstein Community Clinic
90 West University Drive
Pontiac, MI 48342
248-758-6090
Mercy Place Clinic
55 Clinton Street
Pontiac, MI 48342
248-333-0978
Oakland County Health Division
Dental Program County Service Center
1200 North Telegraph Road, Building 36
Pontiac, MI 48341
248-858-1306
Father Pops Clinic
400 South Blvd W
Pontiac, MI 48341
248-334-2126
Health Insurance Assistance
Oakland County Dept. of Human Services
Saginaw Street District
235 N. Saginaw Pontiac MI 48342
248-975-5200
Ask about eligibility for:
Supplemental Security Income
Aged, Blind, Disabled program
MIChoice
Medicare Savings Program
Adult Medical Program
Low Income Families
Special N Support
Transitional Medical Assistance
Prescription Assistance
Mi Rx Discount Card
Call 1-800-755-6479 for application
(Then press 2, then 1)
Partnership for Prescription Assistance MI
*Must use online application at:
www.pparx.org
Diabetic Supplies
American Medical Services
825 W. Huron St.
Pontiac, MI 48341
248-332-6688
*Offers free diabetic testing supplies with
most insurance programs along with free
in-home training and support from a
diabetic specialist.
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+Remember, a proper diet, regular exercise, & routine blood sugar monitoring is key to maintaining a healthy life with
Created by:Markia Jones, BSN, RN Karishma Guha, BSN, RN