living with diabetes faces unique. challenges that can make success Type 1 diabetes is usually. diagnosed in children and young adults, …
Fearlessly
FACE Diabetes
A P E R S O N A L G U I D E T O MANAGINGYOURDIABETES
Why Understanding Diabetes is Important for African-Americans
Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease that affects millions of people worldwide Compared to the general US population, African-Americans are especially hard hit by the disease Nationwide, more than 32 million African-Americans over the age of 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes, and many more may be living with the disease Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease and a challenging personal journey every day Each person living with diabetes faces unique challenges that can make success difficult to achieve, but with the right tools, support and information to complement the care you receive from your healthcare provider, you can learn to better manage your diabetes and take control of your health If you have diabetes or think you may be at risk for it, its time to face it FEARLESSLY The information in this brochure will help you learn basic facts about diabetes and tips to help you successfully manage the condition, including: What is Diabetes? Risk Factors and Common Symptoms Seeking the Right Support Diabetes Support
Resources and Services
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes - sometimes called sugar is a serious disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from your bodys inability to properly produce or use insulin Insulin is a hormone that your body uses to turn the sugar glucose, starches and other food you eat into energy that your body uses in every day activities Over time and without proper care, high blood glucose levels may lead to serious complications Some examples of complications may include damage to your eyes, kidneys or nerves There are two basic types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 Type 1: Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin Type 2: Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is usually diagnosed in older adults In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells in your body do not properly use the insulin that is produced
What happens if diabetes is left untreated? If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications These may include blindness, kidney
disease, loss of limbs, heart disease, stroke and nerve damage
Did you know?
Compared to non-Hispanic Whites:
African-Americans are almost 50 percent more likely to develop diabetic eye disease that can cause blindness African-Americans are up to 56 times more likely to suffer from kidney disease African-Americans are nearly three times more likely to suffer from lower-limb amputations
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It is important to know some of the common risk factors and symptoms of diabetes: Risk Factors
Being overweight Not exercising Family history of diabetes High blood pressure Stress/lifestyle factors
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Common Symptoms
Feeling tired often Excessive thirst Frequent urination Losing weight while continuing to eat Blurry vision
Keep in mind, this brochure is meant to serve as a guide to help you manage your diabetes; it is not meant to take the place of regular visits to and counsel from your healthcare professional
THEIMPORTANCEOFUNDERSTANDINGDIABETES
WHATISDIABETES?RISKFACTORS
Diabetes Myths and Facts
Myth 1: If I have diabetes, I cant enjoy any of the foods I love Southern cooking and Sunday dinners are definite nos Fact:
If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan and/or combined
with exercise, you can still enjoy the foods you love If you have diabetes, it is important to make an effort to eat in a healthy manner and in moderation Diabetes experts recommend that you eat foods that are low in fat, salt and sugar Try whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit instead of high-fat, sugar alternatives Sugar does not cause diabetes Diabetes is caused by many factors including your family history, weight and lifestyle That said, a healthy and balanced meal plan that is low in fat and moderate in sugar is important for everyone to follow If you are at risk for diabetes, it is especially important to watch what you eat
Seeking the Right Support
You dont need to face diabetes alone Start your journey to better diabetes management with the help of a dedicated healthcare team - a team of professionals focused on you Your healthcare support team will be key to helping you learn how to live a healthy life
In this section you will find an overview of some of the key members that may be a part your support team as well as some important questions to ask each of them
Myth 2: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes Fact:
Primary Care Physician or Endocrinologist:
Central to
your support team is a certified healthcare professional such as a primary care physician or an endocrinologist You may feel most comfortable visiting your regular primary care physician the same one you see for check-ups or when you get sick or you may be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who is specially trained to treat diabetes He or she can put you in touch with other diabetes specialists if needed and can address questions about diagnosis, treatment, medication and lifestyle changes that can help you take care of yourself Questions for your Physician: Do you have special training in diabetes? What tests will you do at regular office visits? Can you refer me to a diabetes educator or dietitian? Will I be able to manage my diabetes with or 
without medication?
Myth 3: I cant run and running is the only form of exercise that can help me manage my diabetes Fact:
Being active is necessary for overall health and disease prevention If you have diabetes or think you may be at risk for diabetes, being active every day is particularly important to staying healthy However, if you dont enjoy running, dont worry There are plenty of other activities that you can do to maintain
a healthy and active lifestyle and they may not even seem like exercise Take a walk, go dancing, swim, use the stairs, join a local gospel aerobics class just get moving
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Diabetes Nurse Educator:
A diabetes nurse educator is a registered nurse with special training to teach people about diabetes Nurse educators can help you learn how to manage the day-to-day aspects of diabetes Questions for your Nurse Educator: How do I test and keep track of my blood sugar levels? What should I do if my blood glucose levels are high? What problems should I watch for? What should I do if I feel dizzy? How do I know that I am taking care of my diabetes properly?
Myth 4: Im thin and weight has never been a problem for me I am not at risk for diabetes Fact:
Not true There are a combination of factors including lifestyle and family history that play a part in your risk for diabetes However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes Maintaining a healthy weight and watching your diet are key in diabetes prevention and management
MYTHSANDFACTS
SEEKINGTHERIGHTSUPPORTKEYQUESTIONS
Dietician:
A dietician is trained in nutrition and many have experience working
with people with diabetes Your dietician can help you determine what foods are best for you based on your weight, lifestyle, health goals and other health conditions Questions for your Dietician: Do you have experience working with other people who have diabetes? How can I incorporate some of the foods I love into a healthy diet? How can I make sense of food labels? How do I balance a healthy diet with exercise?
Diabetes is a life-long journey
Its important to remember that you are not alone There are a number of resources available that are there to support you on your journey The list below includes resources that will provide you with more information about diabetes, help you stay active, become involved in your community and connect with others who may be facing the same challenges as you
Eye Doctor:
You may not realize it, but an eye doctor should be a key part of your healthcare support team Diabetes can affect your eyes This can lead to eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts or retinopathy and may even lead to blindness If you have diabetes, you should see your eye doctor at least once a year to check for diabetic eye disease If caught early, diabetic eye disease can
be slowed down or stopped with treatment Questions for your Eye Doctor: What can I do to protect my eyes? What are the symptoms of diabetic eye disease that I should be watching for? How is diabetic eye disease treated?
Foot Specialist:
Another under-recognized impact of diabetes is poor blood flow and nerve damage in the lower legs and feet This may lead to infections that can turn into serious problems, including amputation When you visit your primary care physician for a check-up, he/she should be checking your feet for any signs of these problems If needed, your primary care physician may refer you to a foot specialist, also known as a podiatrist, who is specially trained to treat these problems Questions for your Specialist: How can I protect myself from sores and infections of the feet and legs? How does exercising affect my lower limbs and feet? Will you work with the other members of my healthcare team, if needed?
FACE Diabetes wwwface-diabetescom/face/indexhtml American Association of Diabetes Educators wwwdiabeteseducatorsorg American Diabetes Association wwwdiabetesorg CDC Diabetes Public Health Resource wwwcdcgov/diabetes Eli Lilly and Company: Lilly Diabetes
wwwlillydiabetescom/indexjsp National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse http://diabetesniddknihgov
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UNDERSTANDINGDIABETESKEYQUESTIONS
RESOURCES
About the FACE Diabetes Campaign
The Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered FACE Diabetes Campaign is a grassroots movement targeting African-Americans in the United States to help individuals, families and neighborhoods overcome key barriers to success in living with diabetes African-Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes Supported by Eli Lilly and Company, and national and local health advocacy organizations, the FACE Diabetes campaign will implement a series of practical and sustainable programs, which will help foster behavioral and attitudinal changes in areas critical to success in managing diabetes such as nutrition/ cooking, physical activity, health and overall well-being
About Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is a leading, innovation-driven corporation committed to developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class and first-in-class pharmaceutical products that help people live longer, healthier and more active lives Lilly understands that diabetes is not just a disease; its a journey,
a daily effort against the chronic and progressive nature of the disease Lilly Diabetes is well acquainted with the successes and struggles that each patient encounters, and it commits to being a trusted and supportive guide along the way
Source:co.rockland.ny.us
