The Louisville Metro Health Department's Chronic Disease Prevention Team offers Diabetes Management Series several times throughout the year. See our current Health and Wellness Class schedule or call (502) 574-6663 for more information.
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way the body uses food. To understand diabetes, it helps to know how the body normally uses food.
Our body is made up of many kinds of cells that form the skin, bones, muscle and other body parts. These cells need fuel for energy in order to work right and it gets this fuel from sugar (glucose). After we eat, the food travels to the stomach, where most of it breaks down (metabolizes) into sugar (glucose) and passes into the bloodstream. The glucose then travels to the cells where it is used as energy. It cannot do this by itself. It needs help from insulin, which is a hormone.
Insulin comes from the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach. When the glucose passes into the blood, the pancreas sends insulin to the cells of the body. Insulin attaches itself to "little doors" on the cells called receptors. Those receptors carry the glucose inside the cell to be used for energy. That is how insulin lowers blood sugar -- by taking the glucose out the blood and carrying it into the cells.
With diabetes, there is a lack of insulin produced or there is insulin resistance, either of which causes too much glucose to build up in the bloodstream. Because of insulin resistance or the lack of insulin, cells are not being nourished with the glucose and cannot function effectively. The excess glucose in the bloodstream, over time, is what can cause the complications of diabetes, such as blindness, kidney damage and neuropathy.
About 24 million Americans have diabetes, and about 25% of them do no know they have it.
Classic symptoms in English; in Spanish
What puts you at risk?
Classic symptoms, signs
RISK TEST
Could you have diabetes and not know it?
There are 24 million Americans with diabetes and 57 million Americans with pre-diabetes! Take this test to see if you are at risk for having diabetes. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. If you are a member of one of these ethnic groups, you need to pay special attention to this test.
To find out if you are at risk, write in the points next to each statement that is true for you. If a statement is not true, write a zero. Then add all the points to get your total score.
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|
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Yes |
No |
1. My weight is equal to or above that listed in the chart below?
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5pts |
0pts
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| 2. I am under 65 years of age and I get little or no exercise during a usual day? |
5pts |
0pts
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| 3. I am between 45 and 64 years of age? |
5pts |
0pts
|
4. I am 65 years old or older?
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9pts |
0pts
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| 5. I am a woman who has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth? |
1pt |
0pts
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| 6. I have a sister or brother with diabetes? |
1pt |
0pts
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7. I have a parent with diabetes?
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1pt |
0pts
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| Total Points: |
___ |
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Scoring 3-9 points
You are probably at low risk for having diabetes now. But don't just forget about it -- especially if you are Hispanic/Latino, African American, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander. You may be at higher risk in the future.
Scoring 10 or more points
You are at greater risk for having diabetes. Only your health care provider can determine if you have diabetes. At your next office visit, find out for sure.
At-Risk Weight Chart Body Mass Index
Height in feet and inches without shoes
Weight in pounds without clothing
4'10" 129
4'11" 133
5'0" 138
5'1" 143
5'2" 147
5'3" 152
5'4" 157
5'5" 162
5'6" 167
5'7" 172
5'8" 177
5'9" 182
5'10" 188
5'11" 193
6'0" 199
6'1" 204
6'2" 210
6'3" 216
6'4" 221
If you weigh the same or more than the amount listed for your height, you may be at risk for diabetes.
Diabetes Facts You Should Know
Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, and amputations.
Some people with diabetes exhibit symptoms, some do not. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor:
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
For more information on diabetes, click here or call 1-800-DIABETES.
The information contained in the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and the ADA recommends consultation with your doctor or health care professional.
Information about Diagnosing Diabetes
| Normal Glucose (Fasting) |
70 - 99 |
Pre-Diabetes
(Fasting) |
100-125 (blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic)
|
| Diagnosis |
Random > 200 + classic symptoms Fasting > 126 on 2 occasions |
Diabetes Types
| TYPE 1 |
Only 5% to 10% |
- Usually under 30 when diagnosed
- Thin or underweight
- Usually very sick when diagnosed
- Must take insulin to live
|
| TYPE 2 |
90 to 95% |
- Usually Over 40
- Usually overweight
- Family history
- Symptoms may be mild
|
Some may control their diabetes with diet, exercise and weight loss, but most people need oral agents or insulin to control blood glucose (BG)
Only 3/4 of Type 2’s are diagnosed.
More children and young adults are being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes because of overweight and lack of activity.
| Treatment Goals (Rationale for Treatment)
1)Control blood glucose
2)Reduce symptoms of diabetes
3)Reduce risks of complications
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Treatment Components
1)Diet
2)Exercise
3)Medications -- oral agents or insulin
4)Medical Care -- lab work, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), cholesterol, and HbA1c; kidney test;
dilated eye exams; yearly foot exams
5)Education
|
In the last few years, some new diabetes medications have been developed. These may give people with diabetes more options for improving glucose control. There is more . . .
GOOD NEWS for PEOPLE with DIABETES!
A Kentucky law, passed in July, 1998, states that all health benefit plans (e.g. health insurance), issued or renewed on or after July 15, 1998, shall provide coverage for the following items prescribed by a legally authorized health care provider:
- diabetes equipment and supplies
- outpatient self-management training and education (including medical nutrition therapy) provided by a certified, registered or licensed health care professional with expertise in diabetes, as deemed
necessary by a health care provider
- all medications necessary for the treatment of diabetes
Benefits provided by this law are subject to the same annual deductibles or coinsurance established for all other covered benefits within the health benefit plan.
KRS Chapter 304
A New Section of Subtitle 17A
Effective July 15, 1998
The Chronic Disease Prevention Team at the Louisville Metro Health Department provides a Diabetes Management Series several times a year at various locations. To see the current schedule, click on Health and Wellness Classes. For more information or to register for the classes, call (502) 574-6663
You may also find helpful information on these web sites:
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