Canadians living with diabetes. expected to swell to three mil- lion by 2010. the Canadian Diabetes Associ- ation 2008 Clinical Practice. Guidelines for …
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For more information: Donna Dubuc 603-542-1836
Diabetes is a Growing, but Preventable, Problem
Claremont, NH, March, 18, 2005 — There is a frequently silent, potentially fatal, chronic disease on the rise in New Hampshire–diabetes–and one out of three who has the disease may not even know it Newport, Claremont, and the surrounding towns have one of the highest rates of hospitalization for diabetes in the state We have a lot of diabetes in this area, a significant amount, said Michael Adams, MD, family practitioner at Sullivan County Partners in Health, a primary care practice in Newport More than six percent of adults in New Hampshire have been diagnosed with diabetes according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Since many people are unaware of the condition, the actual number of cases is forecasted to be even higher An information analyst with the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Alliance estimates that one in 13 residents of the lower valley has diabetes While the chronic condition has serious consequences, the early warning signs are relatively easy to miss The early signs can be subtle, such as blurred vision, frequent thirst, frequent urination,
and impaired wound healing, Adams said, but sooner or later the symptoms become obvious Some of the factors that increase a persons risk of developing diabetes include: Being overweight Having a family history of diabetes Being over age 65 Having high blood pressure Getting little to no daily exercise
One in two New Hampshire adults is overweight One in five reports no physical activity In addition, the states population is growing older Combined, these factors are increasing the prevalence of diabetes according to a state research report entitled New Hampshire Diabetes Data, 2003 Its important to get an annual physical with your physician, Adams said, to discuss risk factors or symptoms To check for diabetes, a physician conducts a fasting plasma glucose test The patient drinks a glucoserich beverage on an empty stomach and two hours later has a blood test High blood sugar indicates diabetes Diab 
etes affects how the body uses digested food to make energy Normally, food is broken down into glucose, a kind of blood sugar, which serves as the bodys main source of fuel A hormone called insulin helps the body burn glucose to produce energy In diabetes, insulin production is
disrupted Glucose levels rise, but it never burns as fuel
As a result, the bodys organs are deprived of energy and damaged by high blood sugar Diabetes is a multifactorial problem affecting many different organ systems, Adams said Diabetes can lead to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage Annually, diabetes claims the lives of close to one thousand Granite Staters It is not all bad news, however, according to diabetes specialists The disease can be prevented with proper nutrition and regular exercise
Rather than focusing on losing weight or giving up your favorite foods, said Nancy Romano, MS, RD, LD, manager of the Diabetes Self-Management Program at Valley Regional Hospital, think about what you can do to make your diet more healthy and incorporate exercise into your lifestyle Romano recommended eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, Choose the colorful fruits and vegetables, she said, carrots, broccoli, and green leafy vegetables like spinach and romaine Romano suggested people cut back on foods with sugar, fats, and white flour Diabetes prevention programs also recommend getting 30 minutes of exercise five
days a week Walking is a great way to start exercising, said Laurie-Ann Smerald, RN, MS, exercise physiologist at Valley Regional Hospital Team up with a buddy to start walking this will give you the social support you need to make lasting changes in your daily routines For more information on diabetes, call the Infoline at Valley Regional Hospital at 542-1839 To find a physician to be tested for diabetes, call Valley Regional Hospitals referral line at 542-1330
Photo caption: Nancy Romano, manager Valley Regional Hospitals Diabetes Self-Management Program shows a patient a digital blood glucose monitoring system
