November is America's Diabetes Month

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. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

There are 3 major types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.


Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Some diabetes symptoms include:

* Frequent urination
* Excessive thirst
* Extreme hunger
* Unusual weight loss
* Increased fatigue
* Irritability
* Blurry vision

If you have one or more of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor right away.

So you've been diagnosed with diabetes, either type 1 or 2.

Take a deep breath.

Don't panic.

It is a scary disease and a worrisome one.

You can control your blood glucose and live a good life.

The way to do that is to learn all you can about your diabetes, how it affects you and how to make sure that your A1c and daily numbers are in the accepted range.

You will come across the letters..YMMV, it means that Your Mileage May Vary. What works for one person may not work for you. In my case, I can't eat oatmeal, but others can and enjoy it. (and I love oatmeal :()

The more you know about the disease and how it affects you and how you can control it will give you more confidence.

In the beginning (May 19,2004) I think that I joined more diabetes' forums and boards than you can shake a stick at. lol Now after 18 months I have only 3-4 of them to look at. I know what I can and can't eat and I do enjoy the occasionally 'forbidden' thing.

You don't really have to deprive yourself of everything you love. An occasional treat won't make you blind or make your toes fall off.

Make sure you get your eyes tested every year, see your foot doctor, see the dietican, and go to diabetes classes.

Oh, another thing. Test yourself as much as possible. Living in England I am lucky to get all the testing strips I want/need, while I have heard in the states it depends on your medical carrier and how much you can afford.

Testing: first thing in the morning, before and after meals, and before bed. Now some people say to test 1 hour, 90 minutes, or 2 hours after a meal. I'll leave that up to you. When approaching a new food, make sure you test yourself before and after. That way you'll know if it can be added to your future menus.




One other thing. You might have heard of the 5 Steps of Grieving. It happens when someone close to you dies or you suffer a great loss. This might happen to you. A part of you is gone forever but in a way, losing that part might just make you healthier in the long run.

Developing diabetes makes you stop and reassess you life.

You will be eating healthier and despite the diabetes you can live that long life.

5 Steps of Grieving

DENIAL --- "No, this can't be right. There's no diabetes in the family. I watch what I eat. Okay, I'm a little overweight. I can't be a diabetic."

ANGER --- "What?? I can't be! I'm not fat, I exercise and I eat well'. 'Redo the test!"

BARGAINING -- "Please G-d, if I am good I won't be diabetic any more."

DEPRESSION --- "Oh G-d, what am I going to do. I can't eat my favorite foods any more. I feel like a pin cushion. I have to watch everything that goes in my mouth for the rest of my life. My meds don't seem to work. I don't want to go onto insulin. I wish I was dead."

ACCEPTANCE --- "Ok. I have diabetes.I'll read all I can and live a good longlife."


Book suggestions, please feel free to add your own favorites, the more educated we are, the better control we will have.

****Gretchen Becker, The First Year—Type Two Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. (The best book for newbies)

Richard K. Bernstein, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution.(a big book, full of information)

Alan L. Rubin, Diabetes for Dummies.

Jennie Brand-Miller et al., The New Glucose Revolution: The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index—The Dietary Solution for Lifelong Health.

Web sites:

I love this guy. He has created, I feel, the best diabetes web site.

http://www.mendosa.com/diabetes.htm

Joslin Diabetes Center (a lot of good information)

http://www.joslin.org/main.shtml

American Diabetes Association

http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

For those in the UK

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/

For those in Australia:

http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/home/index.htm

Children with diabetes:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/index_cwd.htm

Other diabetes sites that might be of interest:

http://www.diabetesnet.com/

http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/

For those with One Touch meters

http://www.lifescan.com/care/

For those with Accu chek meters

http://www.accu-chek.co.uk/gb/


I'm adding this link to help ease any confusion between mmol/L used in Europe and mg/dl used in the states.

http://www.diabetestoolbox.com/convertingbloodsugar.asp

So a 7.0 in England is 126 in the U.S.

Converting glucose readings to A1c:


http://www.geocities.com/diabeteschart/bloodsugarchart.html

Here's another for those who use mmol/l

http://www.rajeun.net/HbA1c_glucose.html

Ignore his comments, they are his own opinions and as you can see not quite what the ADA nor diabetes-uk would agree with.

I found a great chart to convert US and International Lipids Measures for Cholesterol, LDL, HDL .

I find that I need this to explain to Americans what my total cholesterol number is so they can understand it. People who speak a common language still have problems.

http://heart.kumu.org/cholcomp.html


You can live many years if you keep your blood sugar at the recommended levels.

My motto is: "I want to die with my feet on".