Diabetes Awareness Month

 

DIABETES AWARNESS MONTH

      Diabetes is a condition of elevated blood sugars where the body does not produce enough insulin to meet the body's needs or the body does not respond properly to the insulin being made. Insulin is important because it moves glucose (or sugar) into the body's cells from the blood. It also has a number of other effects on metabolism.
The medical name of this condition is diabetes mellitus. It is sometimes referred to as "sugar diabetes." There is another form of diabetes, called diabetes insipidus, which is a relatively rare condition in which the kidneys are unable to conserve water, leading to excessive urination. When people talk about diabetes, they are usually referring to diabetes mellitus.
         The food we eat provides our bodies with glucose, which is used by the cells as a source of energy. If insulin isn't available or doesn't work correctly to move glucose from the blood into cells, glucose will stay in the blood. High blood glucose levels are toxic, and cells that don't get glucose are lacking the fuel they need. These two problems cause the symptoms of diabetes.
          There are two main kinds of diabetes mellitus: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. More than 90% of all people with diabetes have type 2. Overall, about 30 million people in North America have diabetes. Only about two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes are aware of it and are receiving treatment because, for many people, its early symptoms are not noticeable without testing.

       Type 1 diabetes used to be called "juvenile" diabetes, since it usually occurs in people under the age of 30. Everyone with type 1 diabetes needs to take insulin on a daily basis.
Type 2 diabetes used to be called "adult-onset" diabetes, because it usually occurs in people over 40. People with type 2 diabetes usually have a family history of this condition and most are overweight. People with type 2 diabetes are treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Some may eventually need insulin. Certain ethnic groups are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This includes but is not limited to Native American, Hispanic/Latino, South Asian, East Asian, Pacific Island, or African descent.

      Another less common form is gestational diabetes, a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. The problem usually clears up after the baby is born, but women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that allow you to feel sensations such as pain. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes. There are a number of ways that diabetes damages the nerves, mostly related to blood glucose being too high or uncontrolled. Depending on the affected nerves, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can range from burning and numbness in your extremities to loss of total sensation. These symptoms are mild, for others, diabetic neuropathy can be very uncomfortable, disabling and sometimes fatal.

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

SYMPTOMS

• Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or changes in temperature, especially in your feet
• Tingling, burning or prickling sensation that starts in your toes or the balls of your feet and gradually spreads upward
• Sharp, jabbing pain that is worse at night Extreme sensitivity to the lightest touch — for some people, even the weight of a bed sheet
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Muscle weakness and difficulty walking
• Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, deformities, and bone and joint pain

 Ingredients

Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines

Inspect your feet daily. Check for cuts, blisters, redness, and swelling. Use a magnifying hand mirror to check the bottom of your feet.

Wash your feet in luke warm water. Keep your feet clean by washing them daily.

Moisturize your feet-not in between the toes. Use moisturizing cream daily to keep your feet from becoming dry and cracking.

Cut nails carefully-straight across. Also, file the edges. Do not cut them to short; this could lead to ingrown toenails. Never trim corns or callouses.

Wear clean socks. Wearing white socks will show signs or bleeding or drainage.

Avoid socks that are too tight. Avoid tight elastic bands (they reduce

circulation).

Shake out your shoes and inspect the inside before wearing.

Remember, you may not feel a pebble, so always shake out your shoes before wearing them.

Never walk barefoot. Not even at home! Take care of your diabetes. Keep your blood sugar monitored and under control.

Do not smoke. Smoking restricts blood flow to your feet.

Get periodic foot exams. See your podiatrist on a regular basis for an exam to prevent foot complications.

Recipe for THANKSGIVING!

• 2 teaspoons margarine
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• One 16-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 cups Homemade Chicken Broth OR canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves or ground nutmeg
• 1 cup fat-free milk

Directions

1. Melt the margarine in a medium saucepan. Saute the onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the pumpkin, broth, sugar, salt, and cloves; stir to mix well. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Puree until smooth in a blender or food processor. Return to the saucepan. Add the milk; heat thoroughly but do not boil. Serve at once.