Diabetes

Introduction to Diabetes

• Diabetes is a disease where the body either does not produce insulin, or use it correctly

• Insulin is a protein that converts sugar and starches into things that the body uses.

• The exact cause of diabetes is not yet known Insulin Pen

Possible Causes

• Genetics

• Obesity

• Not enough Exercise

• Bad eating habits

Testing for Diabetes

• One test is a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG)

• This is the easier, faster, and less expensive way of testing

• A sample of blood is taken and if the Glucose level is 100-125, the person has pre-diabetes.

• If it is above 125, it is diabetes

Testing for Diabetes Cont.

• The other test is an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

• This has a person wait 2 hours after drinking a high Glucose drink

• If the blood glucose level is between 149-199, it is pre-diabetes

• If it is 200 or above, the person has diabetes

Types of Diabetes

• Type 1 Diabetes-– This is when the human

body does not make enough, if any, insulin

– Anywhere between 5-10% of the Americans who have been diagnosed with the disease has type 1 diabetes

– More common in children and young adults

Types of Diabetes Cont.

• Type 2 Diabetes– This is when the body is not properly using

insulin– The insulin is also not working as efficiently– The majority of those who have been diagnosed

with the disease have type 2 diabetes• Your cells need more energy• High blood glucose levels can damage organs

Types of Diabetes Cont.

• Gestational Diabetes– This diabetes occurs

immediately after pregnancy

– 5-10 % of women who have been diagnosed with the disease has Gestational Diabetes

– The hormones created by the placenta are said to block the insulin from doing its job.

Types of Diabetes Cont.

• Pre-Diabetes– This occurs when a

persons blood sugar is higher then normal, but not high enough to officially be called diabetes

– If one has pre-diabetes, a change in lifestyle can possibly prevent type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Symptoms

• Frequent urination

• Excessive thirst

• Extreme hunger

• Unusual weight loss

• Increased fatigue

• Irritability

• Blurry vision

Heart Attack or Stroke?

• Diabetes can have other side effects• High blood pressure and high cholesterol is another side

effect• These can both increase the chance of a heart attack or

stroke• 65% of those who have diabetes die of one of these two

factors

Nutrition• A person with diabetes has the same

nutritional needs as any other person

• One’s nutrition can help prevent and manage many, if not all, of the different types of diabetes

Nutrition Cont.

• Carbohydrates are what make a person’s blood sugar rise

• Be careful and watch the starch and sugar intake when eating carbs

• Look at the nutrition label to properly balance yourself

Nutrition Cont

• The amount and type of fat someone eats effects the person’s nutrition

• Unsaturated fats, like oil, is much healthier then saturated fats, like butter or lard

• Unsaturated fats are much less likely to clog arteries

• Watching you fat intake is another good way to stay healthy

Nutrition Cont.

• Eating out• Go to some places that

have healthy food choices• Make sure you know what

you can and can’t eat• Ask waiters what is on the

menu for diabetics.• Look for modified food

that would contain healthier choices, like fat- free salad dressing

Sweets and Deserts• Contrary to what most people believe,

diabetics can still have some sweets, but in moderation

• People with diabetes need to be careful and prudently manage their sweets

• If they plan properly, then having a slice of cake on a birthday is all right

Sweets and Deserts Cont.

• For reference, sugar does not cause diabetes!!!!!!!!!!

• The biggest cause is being overweight and out of shape

• Sweets are all right to have as long as they are have in moderation

Sweets and Deserts Cont.

• One way to be able to include sweets is to eat less, regular carbohydrates in your meals

• Swap something like bread, for a low carbohydrate bread.

• This will allow you to eat some sweets and still get the right amount of carbs.

Sweets and Deserts Comt.

• Do not be fooled by something that says sugar free

• Sugar is only one type of carbohydrate that can easily increase one’s glucose levels

• Look at the nutrition fact labels in stead of claims made on the box

Really???

Sugar and Deserts Cont.

• Sugars listed on the label do not include sugar alcohols

• Look for things in the ingredients that end with “—ol”– Usually hints that there

is a sugar alcohol present

• You can also just look at the total carbohydrates in a meal, just to make sure

Prevention

• The best way to prevent diabetes is to stay healthy and active

• Having a good diet with a low fat intake, and not being overweight, is a great way to prevent diabetes

• Getting plenty of exercise and staying active is the other way to help prevent diabetes

Prevention

• Some Scientist think that if you have pre-diabetes, it is still possible to prevent type 2 diabetes

• The best thing to do is to remain healthy

• Being healthy before you even have pre-diabetes is good too

Lifestyles

• How to relax with diabetes– Stay out of the kitchen– Prepare meals in

advance– Drink plenty of water– Use sun block and

make good decisions– Be active and do not

just sit around all day

Lifestyle Cont.

• The best thing is to make good decisions when it comes to eating and drinking

• Alcohol is a drug and should not be used by any diabetics

• Alcohol can stop the effect of some of the medicine and can even cause health related issues that a regular person would not normally get

Lifestyle Cont.• Make sure you regularly visit your doctor.• Diabetics should see the doctor before you go on

any type of trip or vacation• It is smart for a diabetic to get a doctor’s note if you

are traveling internationally• All medications and labels should be brought in case

of an emergency

Lifestyle Cont.

• When a person is sick, the body releases hormones that fight the disease

• Some hormones can counteract the insulin pills that diabetics use

• It is vital to continuously check the Blood Glucose Level

• Keep drinking many liquids

Diabetes Statistics

• 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8% of the population, who have diabetes

• The total prevalence of diabetes increased 13.5% from 2005-2007

• Only 24% of diabetes is undiagnosed, down from 30% in 2005 and from 50% ten years ago

Testing

• TEST!

• Many people do not like to get a test because they are afraid of the results.

• It is necessary to get the test done ASAP.

• Minor discomfort during the actual test itself is not a good reason to not be test

• GET A TEST!

Sources

• "All About Diabetes." Diabetes Information. American Diabetes Association. 31 Oct 2008 <http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp>.

• All information was either from this page or links off of this page that were still in the same organization’s site