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Diabetes, what you need to know
by Laura S. Garrett, RD
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in America today claiming more than 160,000 victims each
year. Sixteen million Americans have diabetes, yet only half are aware they have the disease. Most
people are not diagnosed as having diabetes until they develop a life-threatening complication. In most
of these cases, had the person known he had diabetes, the complication could have been avoided.
Complications associated with Diabetes:
1. Blindness: Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in people ages 25-74. Each year more than
15,000 people with the disease develop blindness.
2. Heart Disease: People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience heart disease.
3. Stroke: If you have diabetes, you are 5 times more likely to suffer from a stroke.
4. Amputations: The number one cause of lower limb amputations that is not related to a traumatic injury
is - you guessed it - diabetes!
5. Kidney failure: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
6. Nerve damage: It is estimated that 65% of people with diabetes suffer from mild to severe nerve damage.
Am I trying to use scare tactics? You bet I am. I will never forget a lady I met with diabetes. She had
lost one leg, was partially blind, had suffered a stroke, and her kidneys no longer functioned properly.
Why did this poor woman suffer these maladies? She refused to keep her diabetes under control.
It is not a hard task to accomplish. It simply takes commitment and discipline. I cannot stress enough
to those of you who suffer from diabetes: Following a STRICT diet regimen monitoring your blood glucose
level frequently, and following your prescription drug regimen are absolutely imperative if you wish to
live a long, happy life free of complications. Pretty bold statement, but it is the truth.
If you go through life with the attitude that diabetes is no big deal, chances are very good you will
suffer one or more of the complications listed above. Enough with the scare tactics. The rest of this
article covering diabetes will discuss important issues related to diet and provide you with resources
for looking up information yourself.
Before continuing, I feel it is important for you to know the difference between the two different types of diabetes.
Type I Diabetes:
Type I is also known as "insulin-dependent" or "juvenile diabetes". Type I most commonly occurs during
childhood, but not always. Type I results when the pancreas can no longer produce insulin. The body uses
insulin to breakdown sugars found in the foods we consume. Since the body is not making the insulin it needs,
insulin injections are necessary to control sugar levels. Type I is usually hereditary. Common symptoms
include extreme thirst, rapid weight loss, frequent urination, fatigue, and nausea. This type of diabetes
represents only five percent of the diabetic cases.
Type II Diabetes:
Type II makes up the other 95 percent of diabetic cases. It is commonly referred to as "non-insulin
dependent". In this type, the pancreas are producing insulin, but the body is unable to use it properly.
Type II typically has a gradual onset, appearing in adults around the age of 30, sometimes older. It is
usually not necessary to take insulin injections (unlike Type I where it is imperative). Type II can
often be managed through strict diet and exercise alone. Very often, a prescription drug is taken to
help the body properly manage sugar levels. Warning signs include blurred vision, drowsiness, excessive
weight gain, numbness in the hands or feet and slow healing of cuts/wounds.
One of the best sources for information pertaining to diabetes is the
American Diabetes Association
On the side bar of ADA's Web site, look for "Diabetes Information". Under that sub-heading, click on
"Take the Risk Test" for a quick online test to see if your are at risk. Under the same sub-heading, you
will find "General Information", information for "Newly Diagnosed" patients, "In the News" for the
latest updates, "Tip of the Day", and so much more. Be sure to check out the "Recipe of the Day".
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