Castries Lions Diabetes Awareness Month Newsletter

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

In Altitude Beatrice Mac Donald

SPECIAL EDITION— NOVEMBER 2014

Lions as we observe another month focusing on diabetes let us all join in spreading the news about healthy living and diabetes.

Recognizing the growing prevalence of diabetes in children let us focus on ensuring that our children understand the need to eat healthy. As parents let us provide them with water instead of juice when packing he lunch boxes.

As lions we are all connected by the belief that we can make a change. Let that change begin with us as we try to practice healthy habits.

Healthy living starts first with healthy eating, healthy habits of exercise and rest and above all ensure that we do the necessary medical checks.

Let us as lions , if only for the month of November make a sacrifice and give up one unhealthy habit,; this would be the first step..

Lions Let us join in the fight against diabetes.

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World Diabetes Day

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What is Diabetes?

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Diabetes Eye Disease

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Steps to Manage Your

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Club Information Note: Information Extracted from www.IDF.org

HEALTHY LIVING AND DIABETES World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.

World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself is celebrated on November 14, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921.

Healthy Living and Diabetes is the World Diabetes Day theme for 2014-2016.

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What is DIABETES? Diabetes is a chronic disease in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are above normal. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy. After a meal, food is broken down into a sugar called glucose, which is carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Insulin, a made in the, allows glucose to enter the cells of the body where it is used for energy.

People develop diabetes because the pancreas produces little or no insulin or because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. As a result, the glucose builds up in the blood, is transported into the urine, and passes out of the body. Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile-onset diabetes. It is usually caused by an auto-immune reaction where the body’s defense system attacks the cells that produce insulin. The reason this occurs is not fully understood. People with type 1 diabetes produce very little or no insulin. The disease may affect people of any age, but usually develops in children or young adults. People with this form of diabetes need injections of insulin every day in order to control the levels of glucose in their blood. If people with type 1 diabetes do not have access to insulin, they will die.

Symptoms: Increased thirst and Urination Weight loss Blurred vision Feeling tired all the time Risk Factors: Genetics Environment

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes used to be called non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, and accounts for at least 90% of all cases of diabetes. It is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, either or both of which may be present at the time diabetes is diagnosed. The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can occur at any age.

Type 2 diabetes may remain undetected for many years and the diagnosis is often made when a complication appears or a routine blood or urine glucose test is done. It is often, but not always, associated with overweight or obesity, which itself can cause insulin resistance and lead to high blood glucose levels. People with type 2 diabetes can often initially manage their condition through exercise and diet. However, over time most people will require oral drugs and or insulin.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are serious. There is no such thing as mild diabetes.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a form of diabetes consisting of high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. It develops in one in 25 pregnancies worldwide and is associated with complications to both mother and baby.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms: Feeling tired all the time Increased thirst and urination Weight loss Blurred vision Frequent infections Slow-healing wounds Risk Factors: Being overweight Having a family member who has type 2 diabetes Being African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, or Pacific Islander including Native Hawaiian

SPECIAL

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NOVEMBER

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DIABETIES AND EYE DISEASE High blood sugar (glucose) increases the risk of eye problems from diabetes. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20 to 74. High blood sugar in diabetes causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see.

Cataracts and Diabetes A cataract is a clouding or fogging of the normally clear lens of the eye. The lens is what allows us to see and focus on an image just like a camera.

Glaucoma and Diabetes When fluid inside the eye does not drain properly, it can lead to excess pressure inside the eye. This results in another eye problem with diabetes called glaucoma. The increase in pressure can damage nerves and the blood vessels in the eye, causing changes in vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy Retinopathy is a disease of the retina . The retina is the nerve layer that lines the back of your eye.

.Diabetes

can cause a number of health complications, including diabetic eye disease. To reduce the risk of vision loss, all people with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.

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HEALTHY

LIVING

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Frequent urination Excessive thirst Increased hunger Weight loss Tiredness Lack of interest and Concentration Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu) A tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet Blurred vision Frequent infection Slow-healing wounds

DIABETES—2014

4 Steps to Manage Your Diabetes for Life

Know the warning signs      

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Step 1: Learn about diabetes. 

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Take classes to learn more about living with diabetes.

To find a class, check with your health care team, hospital, or area health clinic. You can also search online.

Join a support group — in-person or online — to get peer support with managing your diabetes.

Read about diabetes online. Go to www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.

Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs. Talk to your health care team about how to manage your A1C, Blood pressure, and Cholesterol.

This can help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes problems.

A for the A1C test (A-one-C).

The A1C is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. It is different from the blood sugar checks you do each day.

B for Blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the wall of your blood vessels.

If your blood pressure gets too high, it makes your heart work too hard. It can cause a heart attack, stroke, and damage your kidneys and eyes.

If your blood pressure gets too high, it makes your heart work too hard. It can cause a heart attack, stroke, and damage your kidneys and eyes.

C for Cholesterol There are two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL. LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or stroke.

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HELATHY

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DIABETES

Step 3: Learn how to live with diabetes It is common to feel overwhelmed, sad, or angry when you are living with diabetes. You may know the steps you should take to stay healthy, but have trouble sticking with your plan over time. This section has tips on how to cope with your diabetes, eat well, and be active.

Cope with your diabetes.

Stress can raise your blood sugar. Learn ways to lower your stress. Try deep breathing, gardening, taking a walk, meditating, working on your hobby, or listening to your favorite music.

Eat well.  Make a diabetes meal plan with help from your health care team.  Choose foods that are lower in calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and salt.  Eat foods with more fiber, such as whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.  Choose foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, bread and cereals, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.  Drink water instead of juice and regular soda.

When eating a meal, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with a lean protein, such as beans, or chicken or turkey without the skin, and one quarter with a whole grain, such as brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

Be active.

Set a goal to be more active most days of the week. Start slow by taking 10 minute walks, 3 times a day.

Know what to do every day.  Take your medicines for diabetes and any other health problems even when you feel good.

Keep track of your blood sugar. You may want to check it one or more times a day. Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your blood sugar numbers. Be sure to talk about it with your health care team.

Talk to your health care team.  Ask your doctor if you have any questions about your diabetes.

Report any changes in your health.

Things to Remember: 

You are the most important member of your health care team.

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· Follow the four

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· Learn

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¨ Ask

Step 4: Get routine care to stay healthy.

See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early.

At each visit, be sure you have a:  blood pressure check  foot check  weight check review of your self-care plan

steps in this booklet to help you learn how to manage your diabetes. how to reach your diabetes ABC goals.

your health care team for help.

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Club Information The Club’s general meetings are held twice a month in the Lions Den, Sans Soucis, Castries at 7:00 p.m.

The Business meeting is held on the first Thursday at which members are expected to wear their regalias, followed by the Social meeting or activity every third Thursdays. Guests are welcomed to attend the Social meeting. Meeting of the Board of Directors are held on the Monday following the Business Meeting. These meeting which are hosted by Members of the Board commences at 7:00 p.m.

YOU ARE NUMBER ONE AT OUR CLUB MEETINGS CASTRIES LIONS CLUB P O Box 596, Sans Soucis Castries, Saint Lucia 758-452-4948 E-mail - castrieslions3b@yahoo.com Blog - lions-club-of-castries.blogspot.com