[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ovember is Diabetes Awareness Month, so I chatted with Julie Paterson, diabetes nurse educator at Sunnybrook, to find out more about it. Here are five things she wants you to know about diabetes:
1) There is no such thing as being a “borderline” diabetic
“You either have diabetes or you don’t. If you have a high amount of sugar in your blood, you have diabetes,” says Paterson. Insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, helps carry blood sugar (glucose) to cells throughout the body, which is used as fuel. If you have an insufficient supply of insulin (known as type 1 diabetes), or the insulin you produce does not work properly (known as type 2 diabetes), this process cannot happen, leading to symptoms of diabetes. A third type of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, is developed by some women during pregnancy. It usually resolves after delivery of the placenta.
2) High blood sugars, not insulin, cause complications
“There is a misconception that insulin is the cause of a range of health issues in people with diabetes, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s actually uncontrolled blood sugars that cause complications,” says Paterson. These complications can include heart, kidney and eye disease, as well as impotence and nerve damage throughout the body. Poorly-controlled diabetes is also the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. “There are many people with diabetes living active and healthy lives, and that starts with properly managing high blood sugars,” says Paterson.
3) Most people have type 2 diabetes for a number of years before diagnosis
If you are age 40 or over, you are at risk for type 2 diabetes and should be tested at least every three years. Certain risk factors can increase your chance of developing diabetes, in which case you should be tested earlier and more often. These include having an immediate family member with diabetes, having high blood pressure, having given birth to a baby weighing over 9lbs, or being overweight.
4) Your body turns carbohydrates into sugar
It’s not just sugary foods you need to look out for: controlling your blood sugar also means controlling your carbohydrate intake, as your body turns carbohydrates into sugar. “Spread out your intake of carbohydrates throughout the day,” says Paterson. Foods with carbohydrates in them include fruit, milk, yogurt, grains and starches.
5) Have a good diabetes care team in place
“Having a good diabetes care team in place is essential to staying healthy,” says Paterson. This includes an endocrinologist, diabetes nurse educator, and diabetes dietitian. Other professionals that may be involved in diabetes care are pharmacists, chiropodists and ophthalmologists. At Sunnybrook, patients can self-refer to the Sunnybrook Diabetes Education Program (SUNDEC) by calling (416) 480-4805. SUNDEC offers classes and individual counseling by registered dietitians and diabetes nurse educators.
