Diabetes has a strong genetic component, so those people with one or more family A1C testing alone can reduce complications from diabetes. …
Diabetes
By Lula Mitchell
Diabetes is a disorder that affects millions of people each day It
interrupts the bodys ability to use blood sugar or glucose, which is a
source of energy for the body taken from starches and sugars that we eat
Ten to twenty million Americans are diagnosed with the disease in the
United States population Risk for the disease is greater among the obese,
people with high blood pressure, women with gestational diabetes or women
who have delivered a baby greater than nine pounds, and people from
particular ethnic groups; such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and
Native Americans Diabetes has a strong genetic component, so those people
with one or more family members with the disease should be aware of their
lifestyles
There are two types of diabetes, which are known as Type 1 and Type 2
Type 1 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental
factors, which results in a lack of insulin Insulin, produced by the
pancreas, is a hormone that is released in the body when the body increases
its blood sugar after a meal As a result, the body attacks itself and
destroys its insulin-secreting beta
cells in the pancreas
Type 2 diabetes is more common to adults and it is known as adult-
onset diabetes The body makes the insulin, but the body may not detect
it or the body may even resist the insulin This results in insulin
deficiency; therefore the beta cells stop functioning properly Type 2
diabetes usually occurs after the age of 30, and it is linked to obesity of
people
In order to take control of the epidemic people must notice if they
are at risk, find which treatment therapy is best, and change their
lifestyles Visit a health care provider to be tested for the disease A
simple blood test or urinalysis can get quick results Monitoring blood
glucose levels daily is also important Hemoglobin A1C or glycated
hemoglobin, which is commonly abbreviated as A1C is another important
number to regularly test A1C is the average of glucose levels during the
past two to three months The hemoglobin A1C goal for people with diabetes
is less than 7 percent A1C testing alone can reduce complications from
diabetes Combination testing and monitoring opens a window into the
metabolism, says Richard S Beaser, MD, a senior physician at the
renowned Joslin Diabetes Center
in Boston Early intervention with insulin
therapy can help control the disease and prevent the loss of beta cells
Medication treatment is often given to people with type 2 diabetes along
with injections depending on the level of condition Most important,
making changes in lifestyle can help avoid long-term risks such as heart
attack and stroke Maintaining a balanced diet low in fats and sugars,
lowering cholesterol levels, avoiding obesity, and exercising on a regular
basis will help the body to use insulin and lower blood sugar levels
All people should support each other in fighting against this
epidemic; it should be a team effort This includes those affected by the
disease, those at risk for the disease, and healthcare providers educated
on how to treat the disease We should all take control today and help to
prevent this epidemic from affecting another single body
For further information regarding this article please contact
the Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development Project, Emory
University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, 1256 Briarcliff Road, NE, Suite 309W, Atlanta, Georgia, 30306
You can also phone us at
404-712-9800 or visit our website at
http://wwwemoryedu/MSACD
The Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development Project is funded
in part by the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public
Health
References:
Foster, R 2003 Diabetes: Controlling the Uncontrolled UPDATE, New York
Academy of Sciences Magazine, September/October, 8-10
Source:psychiatry.emory.edu
