Free Diabetes Learning Sessions to be held at Health Dept.

(Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by DeAnna Leonard, R.N., BSN, Purchase District Health Department, Diabetes Education)

A recent study published in The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology showed 43% people in the world do not know they have type 2 diabetes. Young adults were among the highest at risk for long term complications by not being aware of their diagnosis. (1) Most people today have heard of diabetes or known someone that has diabetes, but they may not know if they are at risk themselves. Diabetes is a chronic condition when glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high. High blood sugar over time can damage certain organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels and nerves. Type 2 diabetes is more common, accounting for 90% of the cases diagnosed. 

 Glucose is produced in the body from foods that we eat and is an important source of energy. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps get glucose into the body’s cells and is used for energy. In Type 2 diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin does not work right. Type 2 is more common in adults, but a growing number of children and adolescents are being diagnosed with type 2 due to increase in obesity rates and less time being physically active during the day. 

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop slowly so a person could have type 2 diabetes for a long time without knowing it. Some people do not have any symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms include: frequent urination; feeling thirsty and hungry all the time; feeling tired all the time; sores that heal slowly; blurry vision; dry, itchy skin; and tingling or numb feet.

Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include but may not be in all individuals who develop it: family history of diabetes; previously diagnosed pre-diabetes (blood sugar higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes); overweight (BMI greater or equal to 27); lack of physical activity; age 45 or over; race/ethnicity, especially people of African American, Hispanic, Native American ancestry and some Pacific Island racial/ethnic groups; history of gestational diabetes or having a baby over nine pounds at birth; high blood pressure; HDL cholesterol 35mg/dl or less and/or triglyceride level of 250mg/dl or higher; polycystic ovarian syndrome; history of vascular disease.

Treatment means healthier food choices, regular physical activity, checking blood sugars and in some cases, taking diabetes medications. It is also important to keep blood pressure and cholesterol in control. Diabetes education (individual or group) is another necessary part of controlling diabetes. 

Take action today. See your healthcare provider for a blood sugar test. Attend local Diabetes Learning Session to learn about planning meals, what healthy blood sugar is, how to manage high and low blood sugars and prevent long term complications in the future. People can call to attend classes or have their healthcare provider refer them. 

Free Diabetes Learning Sessions will be offered at the Health Department at 350 Browder St., Fulton, Ky. from 1 -3 p.m. Call 270-472-1982 to register. 

For more information about education classes for diabetes and/or reducing your risk, contact the Purchase District Health Department at 270-444-9625, ext. 107.