Diabetes Mellitus, Part One
You don’t have to go much farther than the translation of the Greek word “diabetes” to get a sense of the gravity of its symptoms. It means, “siphon.” A first century Greek, Aretaeus—2,000 years ago—described the disease as “. . . for fluids do not remain in the body, but use the body only as a channel through which they flow out.” That doesn’t sound so good. “Mellitus” translates as “sweet urine,” the ancients’ recognition that excess glucose spilled into the urine. Apparently there was some tasting involved.
Almost 2,000 years later (1923) a Canadian physician discovered the relationship between insulin and diabetes and treatment processes using insulin were explored and refined over the years.
The American Diabetes Association has been at the forefront of helping to educate people about managing and preventing different kinds of diabetes. 7% of the population (23.6 million people) in the U.S. has diabetes and it is the 7th leading cause of death. The Association website provides updates on medical research, recommendations for coping with diabetes, food and fitness tips and how to research insurance options. It’s a great place to start your research if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, but there is a closer resource—Chrissy Nelson, the Diabetes Educator at Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown.
“Despite the information available, many people do not recognize the symptoms for what they are,” she says.
Say you’re excessively tired, continually thirsty, hassled by frequent trips to the bathroom and your vision is blurry—all possible symptoms of high blood-sugar, but it just doesn’t seem severe enough to see your doctor. You decide to tough it out.
“It’s not like a heart attack that will really grab your attention and demand some changes in your life,” Nelson says. “Unless it’s early onset diabetes (Type 1, previously known as juvenile diabetes), it can sneak up on you slowly and many people just ignore the symptoms because they don’t seem so bad. You could go into diabetic shock that way and be recovering at our CCU facility for a while.”
High blood-glucose level, a result of the body’s inability to either produce and/or use insulin, characterizes diabetes. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin requiring. Although it is predominant with children it can occur at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes: Also known as adult onset diabetes. The most common form of diabetes where the body either does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Either way, complications can ensue. Type 2 can often be controlled by changes in exercise and diet. However, if the changes are not effective, medications including insulin may be required.
Who is susceptible? Type 2 diabetes is often a genetically inherited disease but can be triggered environmentally by bad eating habits (poor nutrition), obesity, ingesting drugs and alcohol, and lack of exercise can all contribute to the onset of diabetes. It is estimated that the chance to develop diabetes doubles for every 20% increase over desirable body weight. Type 2 diabetes is now rampant in the teen demographic and more common than Type 1 in that age group.
Chester River Hospital Center offers a complete Diabetes Education program along with a well-established support group. Nelson works in tandem with Mary King, RD, LD, CDE, Director of Nutritional Services.
The education program is fee based with up to 80% paid by insurance depending on coverage, and the support groups are free to the public. Spouses or other family members may attend support groups.
“Usually the procedure—unless someone is an emergency case—is that if your physician suspects diabetes from tests and observations, a more precise blood sugar measurement test, the A1c, is ordered. (There are several other tests that might be used also). The test reflects blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. The higher the A1c, the poorer your blood sugar level. At this point your physician can send along a consultation form and both Mary and I will introduce the person to the fundamentals of the program. It’s four two-hour sessions, four Mondays from 6:00–8:00 pm in the evening or Saturday morning from 9:00–1:00 pm on October 16 and 23,” said Nelson.
For more information call 410-778-7668, ext. 2175.
Asked if she would impart some wisdom to those of us who worry that we might be at risk—you know, the “donuts in front of the computer syndrome, no exercise and weight around the middle”—Nelson says, “You’ve heard it a million times: eat well and exercise. And I mean exercise! At least 30 minutes a day of cardiovascular exercise. Take off that extra weight and pay attention to your diet. I knew someone who was shocked she got diabetes because she’d avoided sugar most of her life. Instead she ate tons of bread (carbohydrates) that breaks down into sugar and makes the pancreas have to work too hard.”
The Diabetes Support Group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month. Its location varies between the Education Center and the Conference at Chester River Hospital Center. Ask for directions at front entrance.
To learn more, visit these websites:
Diabetes Breakthroughs (good site for other current medical breakthroughs)
For other support groups see here (pdf link).
Diabetes Mellitus, Part Two, will address diet issues for diabetics.
Chrissy Nelson,RNC says
Sorry but the phone numbers to sign up for Diabetes Class or for more info on the Diabetes Support Group are incorrect. The correct phone number and extension is: 410-778-7668 ext. 2175