healthy connection
Diabetes: Hope for our community
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wenty-nine million Americans, or one in 11, have diabetes. Another 86 million, or one in three adults, are at risk for developing it. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has exploded, nearly doubling in the past 20 years. With November being Diabetes Awareness Month, it is a good time to discuss the impact that diabetes has on our community, how it can be managed, and how you can reduce your risk for developing diabetes. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly make or utilize insulin, a hormone that
works to control blood sugar levels. If uncontrolled, diabetes can cause serious damage throughout the body, affecting one’s nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, and eyesight. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include overweight/obesity, age (over 45 years), family history, race (African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander), physical inactivity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and smoking. Based on the 2011 Missouri County-level study, the prevalence of diabetes ranged from 6.6 percent to 16.1 percent in southwest Missouri counties. As a diabetes
Maria Maria is a 49-year-old mother of three. She attended Cox Monett’s Live Well Health and Safety Fair in August, where she received a voucher to have her labs drawn. The results? Maria found out she had an elevated A1c, well above the diagnostic criteria of 6.5 percent for diabetes. Maria had been experiencing symptoms of diabetes, such as numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, and excessive thirst and urination, but she was unaware that this was related to uncontrolled blood sugars. With the assistance of the Cox Monett Dining for Diabetes fund, Maria was able to get set up with a physician, diabetes medication, glucose monitor and strips, and diabetes education. She now walks 25 minutes every morning and has made healthy diet changes. Maria’s blood sugars have been falling back into normal range over the past month, and she states that she is feeling better than ever.
educator at Cox Monett Hospital, I see the impact of diabetes on a daily basis. Whether it is a patient who has been diagnosed for 20 years, or 20 hours, everyone has something new to learn about the disease. Living with diabetes is not always easy, but with a few lifestyle changes, it is manageable. What is most inspiring in my job is to hear of the many success stories of community members who have not only taken control of their diabetes, but also improved their overall quality of life. Two such individuals who are doing just that are Maria and David:
David David, a 67-year-old husband and father, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this past May. He was determined to make serious lifestyle changes to avoid having to go on medication. After attending Cox Monett’s eight-hour diabetes education class, he left with a meal plan and a determination to turn his life around. Since the class, he started cutting his portions by onehalf to one-third of what he was previously consuming. He also replaced chips and sweets with healthier snack options, such as nuts and fruit. David bought an activity tracker and now walks a minimum of 10,000 steps each day. In three months, he has already lost a total of 31 pounds, and his A1c has dropped into the pre-diabetes range. Even his cholesterol and blood pressure have seen improvements. David contributes much of his success to his wife, who cooks nutritious, balanced meals and helps to keep him accountable.
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