November Newsletter

St. James the Less Parish Nurse Newsletter… November 2002

November is the month that health care professionals focus on diabetes education. Let’s define diabetes, the types, risks and foot care:

Diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use or produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that breaks down carbohydrates in food. Insulin brings glucose from the blood into the cells, where it is used for energy.

When insulin isn’t available or the body doesn’t use it properly, blood glucose levels rise. Uncontrolled, high blood glucose levels can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, or nerve damage. Keeping your blood glucose level as close as possible too normal (70 to 115 mg/dl before a meal) is the key to having a healthier, energetic life. Although there are different types of diabetes, the cause, the body’s inability to use food properly, is the same. The major types of diabetes are Type I (Insulin-dependent), Type II (non-insulin-dependent), and gestational diabetes.

Type I (Insulin-Dependent)

This type of diabetes may develop at any age, but most often occurs in children, teenagers or young adults. Symptoms include being very thirsty, hungry and tired and needing to urinate often. Children with Type I diabetes rarely have these symptoms for longer than a few weeks before it is diagnosed.

The pancreas stops producing enough insulin with Type I diabetes. To make up for this lack of insulin, people with Type I diabetes inject themselves with insulin.

Type II (Non-Insulin-Dependent)

The most common form of diabetes, Type II diabetes usually develops gradually with few, if any, symptoms. The pancreas keeps making insulin; however the body is not using it effectively. This leads to a build up of glucose in the blood. Often Type II diabetes is diagnosed by tracking a gradual increase in blood glucose levels.

Gestational Diabetes

This type of diabetes is discovered through a routine blood test for glucose during the course of a woman’s pregnancy. Closely monitoring blood glucose levels helps women have safe pregnancies and healthy babies. Gestational diabetes usually disappears at the end of the pregnancy. However, mothers may be at increased risk for developing diabetes in the future.

Risk Factors for Developing Diabetes

Once you have diabetes, you have it for life. There is no cure. The disease can be successfully managed by controlling blood sugar through proper nutrition and exercise.

Diabetes can harm the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. A person with diabetes may not feel a cut or blister and if left untreated can lead to infection and possibly loss of the limb. In order to keep your feet healthy and walking for you follow these simple rules:

ü keep your blood sugar close to your goal as prescribed by your health care provider

ü check your feet every day, wash your feet every day and dry them thoroughly and even between the toes! Check daily for cuts, blisters, redness, and swelling

ü NEVER walk barefoot

ü wear shoes that fit well

ü cut the nails straight across and file the edges

ü DON'T smoke

ü Have your feet checked by your health care provider if you come across any abnormality

References:

American Diabetes Association provides general information on diabetes.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation provides information on juvenile diabetes.

National Diabetes Education Program is a federally sponsored initiative that involves public and private partners to improve the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, to promote early diagnosis, and to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes

by Anna Tometczak, RN - St. James Parish Nurse