Inland shares information during American Diabetes Month
Date: 11/07/2023
Thirty-seven million Americans have diabetes. Northern Light Inland Hospital is recognizing American Diabetes Month in November with information to help everyone make a difference against the diabetes epidemic.
November is the traditional start of holiday season which often includes lots of carbs and sugary treats - it can be a perfect storm, especially for those living with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy. When there isn’t enough insulin, our cells stop responding to insulin, resulting in too much blood sugar staying in the bloodstream.
Dominique Uva, a family nurse practitioner with Northern Light Endocrinology and Diabetes Care in Waterville says, “There are different types of diabetes - Type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). Some patients are born with diabetes and some people develop diabetes with age, lifestyle, or medical complications such as pancreatitis.”
“Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have different causes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin, because the body's immune system attacks the key cells in the pancreas that make insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes less insulin than it used to or less effective insulin, and the body becomes resistant to insulin.”
Being diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming and there is a burden that includes: lifestyle changes such as diet, having to monitor your glucose level, and keeping your blood sugars in control. While there isn’t a cure for diabetes (yet), there are several steps you can take to either prevent or manage diabetes. First and foremost is adapting a healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips.
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Lose weight
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Eat healthy food
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Be physically active
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Take medicine as prescribed
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Get diabetes self-management education and support
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Make and keep healthcare appointments
For people living with diabetes, every day is a chance to learn more about how to best manage the condition. Dominique explains why it’s important to stay connected to your healthcare team. “Working with your primary care provider and diabetes team is so valuable. Diabetes professionals have expert knowledge in managing diabetes and have personal interest in seeing patients live their best lives. We take a multidisciplinary approach where patients can receive comprehensive care at one location with a diabetes provider, diabetic nurse educator and registered dietitian. This holistic strategy can really make a big impact in the quality of a patient’s life and health.”
Whether you have diabetes yourself or are helping someone else manage their care, Dominque encourages people to join a local diabetes education class to get important health tips, tools, food advice, and much more. For information about upcoming classes at Inland Hospital, call 207.861.7150.