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ALL ABOUT DIABETES:

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. What causes diabetes is still uncertain; however genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to contribute to the onset of diabetes.

Approximately 17.9 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Major Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin. Insulin is needed in order for the body to use sugar. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes
Results from the body’s failure to properly use insulin, combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes.

Gestational diabetes
Immediately after pregnancy, 5% to 10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have diabetes, usually, Type 2.

Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes occurs when a person's blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. There are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR DIABETES:

Make it a priority to take good care of your body. The time you spend now on eye care, foot care and skin care, as well as heart and oral health, could delay or prevent the onset of dangerous complications later in life. Some of the best things you can do for your body is to stop smoking, and reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.

Keeping your blood glucose in your target range can help prevent or delay the start of diabetes complications such as nerve, eye, kidney, and blood vessel damage.

Experts feel that anyone with diabetes can benefit from checking their blood glucose. The American Diabetes Association recommends blood glucose checks if you have diabetes and are:

• taking insulin or diabetes pills
• on intensive insulin therapy
• pregnant
• having a hard time controlling your blood glucose levels
• having severe low blood glucose levels or ketones from high blood glucose levels
• having low blood glucose levels without the usual warning signs

Eating a balanced diet that focuses on whole foods that are high in fiber and are chock full of nutrients can help you manage your diabetes. Check out our recipe page for good ideas!

Diabetes Super Foods include: avocadoes, raspberries and blackberries, apples and pears, and popcorn!

Exercise is an important part of managing diabetes. It strengthens your bones and your muscles and helps your body use insulin.

INSULIN PUMPS:

An insulin pump can help you manage your diabetes. By using an insulin pump, you can match your insulin to your lifestyle, rather than getting an insulin injection and matching your life to how the insulin is working.

People of all ages with Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes use an insulin pump.

Insulin pumps deliver rapid- or short-acting insulin 24 hours a day through a catheter placed under the skin. Your insulin doses are separated into:

• Basal rates
• Bolus doses to cover carbohydrate in meals
• Correction or supplemental doses

Basal insulin is delivered continuously over 24 hours, and keeps your blood glucose levels in range between meals and overnight. Often, you program different amounts of insulin at different times of the day and night.

When you eat, you use buttons on the insulin pump to give additional insulin called a bolus. You take a bolus to cover the carbohydrate in each meal or snack. If you eat more than you planned, you can simply program a larger bolus of insulin to cover it.

You also take a bolus to treat high blood glucose levels. If you have high blood glucose levels before you eat, you give a correction or supplemental bolus of insulin to bring it back to your target range.

Knowing how an insulin pump works is one thing. But you may be wondering where you are supposed to put it. You can buy a pump case or it can be attached to a waistband, pocket, bra, garter belt, sock, or underwear. You can also tuck any excess tubing into the waistband of your underwear or pants.
When you sleep, you could try laying the pump next to you on the bed. You could even try wearing it on a waistband, armband, leg band, or clip it to the blanket, sheet, pajamas, stuffed toy, or pillow with a belt clip.

• Using an insulin pump means eliminating individual insulin injections
• Insulin pumps deliver insulin more accurately than injections
• Using an insulin pump usually results in fewer large swings in your blood glucose levels
• Insulin pumps allow you to be flexible about when and what you eat
• Using an insulin pump reduces severe low blood glucose episodes
• Using an insulin pump eliminates unpredictable effects of intermediate- or long-acting insulin
• Insulin pumps allow you to exercise without having to eat large amounts of carbohydrate

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MYTHS ABOUT DIABETES:

Myth #1:  People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.
If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes.  They are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes, than they are to people without diabetes. 

Myth #2:  Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. 
No.  Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.  However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.

Myth #3:  People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.
A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is the same as that for everyone – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit.  Diabetic and “dietetic” versions of sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.

Myth #4:  If you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta. 
Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan.  What is important is the portion size.  Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks.  The key is portions.  For most people with diabetes, having 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods is about right.  Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy.

Myth #5:  Fruit is a healthy food.  Therefore, it is ok to eat as much of it as you wish. 
Fruit is a healthy food.  It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals.  Because fruit contains carbohydrate, it needs to be included in your meal plan.  Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat.

REFERENCES

1. Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media (kidshealth.org)
2. National Diabetes Education Program. Overview of Diabetes in Children (dLife.com)
3. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. National Diabetes Statistics.
4. American Diabetes Association