diabetes, the body produces in- sulin, but there is not enough to companies must reimburse for diabetes. equipment, supplies and education. …
Please post in all Residential homes for direct Care Staff to Read
HEALTH ALERT
Department of Health/Division of Health People With Disabilities and Diabetes
A few examples of why people with disabilities are at special risk A person in a wheelchair may have difficulty exercising effectively People with cognitive problems may have difficulty understanding the difference between a diet soda and one containing lots of sugar People who cant talk may be unable to communicate to others when they are feeling badly and need a quick drink of fruit juice because their blood sugar is low People who receive nutrition through a tube feeding may get high blood sugars
August 2000 2 Issue 3
DIABETES AND MORE
Diabetes the Disease
Diabetes is a disease in which your body is unable to properly use and store glucose a form of sugar Glucose cannot get from the bloodstream into your bodys cells causing your blood glucose or sugar to rise too high There are two major types of diabetes In Type 1 also called juvenile-onset or insulindependent diabetes, your body completely stops producing any insulin, a hormone that enables your body to use glucose found in foods for energy People with Type 1
diabetes must take daily insulin injections to survive This form of diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but can occur at any age In Type 2 also called adultonset or non insulin-dependent diabetes, the body produces insulin, but there is not enough to control your blood sugar or the insulin is blocked from acting normally This form of diabetes usually occurs in people who are over 40, overweight, and have a family history of diabetes Staying Healthy Remaining healthy for diabetics means eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and resting enough every day For some people it means taking medications and checking their blood sugar Everyone who has diabetes needs to be followed closely by their physician at a minimum, four times a year and a health care team, which may include a diabetes nurse educator and a diabetes dietitian educator Also, diabetics should have regular eye exam once a year by an ophthalmologist to make sure that any eye problems associated with diabetes are caught early and treated before they become serious Podiatrists also play an important role in the life of a person with diabetes since circulation is impacted by the disease Since the feet
are a long way from the heart, feet and toes need special attention Toe nail cutting must be done with the greatest care and any infection or sore on the feet and toes must be followed carefully And, last but not least, infection in the teeth or mouth can be serious and must be monitored carefully Good oral hygiene is far more than good grooming; it is a medical necessity Daily dental care is essential and regular visits to the dentist are required People at Risk People at risk need to be monitored closely Direct care staff must be aware of individuals who have been identified at risk and the types of symptoms that they must watch for Please contact your agency nurse for additional information and protocols
Services Available in New Mexico
Education, tools for caring for themselves, and moral support are all necessary for the care of people with diabetes In fact, the New Mexico Legislature has made it a law that insurance companies must reimburse for diabetes equipment, supplies and education Some places to call, in addition to each persons own health care provider or health maintenance organization, are: The American Diabetes Association: 1-888-DIABETES NM State Cooperative
Extension Service: 1-505-646-3516 Las Cruces or 1-505-243-1386 Albuquerque Diabetes Network, Inc toll free 1877-600-3300 or 1-505-822-8420 Health care professionals who wish to learn more about caring for someone with diabetes can get help at: The Diabetes Control Program, New Mexico Department of Health: 1505-827-2508 UNM Division of Continuing Education: 1-505-277-0077
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES
This disease touches every part of the life of people who have it, and every part of their bodies In spite of this, many people are able to take good care of themselves and live normal, productive lives, and, unless you were told you wouldnt know they had diabetes The longer someone waits before finding out they have diabetes, though, the more likely they are to suffer serious problems People who have the following early signs of diabetes should see a doctor at once: being very thirsty urinating a lot, often at night having blurry vision from time to time
feeling very tired much of the time losing weight without trying having very dry skin having sores that are slow to heal skin infections getting more infections than
usual
Source:health.state.nm.us
