Are you at risk for diabetes?
The Centers for Disease control estimates that there are 23.6 million people or 7.8% of the population which have diabetes. Could you be at risk for diabetes? Risk factors include: being overweight, family history of diabetes, age over 45, ethnicity (African American, Hispanics, Native Americans), history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds, prior history of impaired glucose tolerance, high blood pressure, and polycystic ovary syndrome. If you are at increased risk for diabetes, the Diabetes Prevention Program has shown that you can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58% through lifestyle interventions which result in a modest weight loss. This includes eating a diet low in fat and calories and regular physical activity. The American Diabetes Association recommends that once over age 45, that you have your fasting blood glucose checked every 3 years to assess for the development of diabetes.
Debunking Common Diabetes Myths
As health professionals, patient education is one of our responsibilities. In honor of National Diabetes Month, please evaluate how your knowledge stacks up in responding to these common myths that you may hear from your patients. If you have further questions, please contact the Diabetes Wellness Center at 901-2255.
Myth: If you develop diabetes, you can never eat anything with sugar again.
Fact: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, and combined within the overall diabetes management plan, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. Moderation in all carbohydrate intake is the key. This includes healthy carbohydrates like fruit and whole grains.
Myth: It's possible to have just “slight or borderline” diabetes.
Fact: Either you have diabetes or you don't. Those with elevated blood glucose readings not high enough to be considered diabetes have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing diabetes if proper preventive action is not taken.
Myth: I feel fine, so my blood sugar is fine.
Fact: High or low blood sugar levels do not always produce noticeable symptoms. Monitoring is the only way to know for sure what the blood sugar level is.
Myth: If I have to start taking insulin, that means I didn't take care of my diabetes and I am a failure.
Fact: All persons with type 1 diabetes will require insulin. Those with type 2 may also require insulin later in the disease as it is a progressive disorder with declining pancreatic function.
Carmela Hubler, RN, MSN, CDE
Diabetes Education
St. David's North Austin Medical Center