Know Your Diabetes ABCs
By JACKIE GLUCK (BRAUN), MS, RDN POPULATION HEALTH MANAGER
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country come together to raise awareness about diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
Diabetes disproportionately affects American Indian and Alaska Natives, but the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Diabetes Program is making a positive impact. The program strives to deliver practical and culturally sensitive approaches to diabetes self-management and increase access to quality diabetes care.
For those living with diabetes, everyday decisions can sometimes seem overwhelming. Although diabetes has no cure, you can take steps to manage and prevent diabetes.
Know Your Diabetes ABCs
A for the A1C test: This test shows you what your blood sugar has been over the last three months. The A1C goal for many people is below 7, but this goal is different for every person. High blood sugar levels can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.
B for Blood Pressure: The blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90; however, this goal may be different for you. High blood pressure can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
C for Cholesterol: Ask what your cholesterol numbers should be. LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels in your heart and brain. This can cause a heart attack or stroke. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels.
Move More
Limit time spent sitting and try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, five days a week. Start slowly by breaking it up throughout the day.
Fuel Your Body
Build a plate that includes a balance of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and starches. Choose foods that are high in fiber and limit added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks, such as soda or juice.
Seek Support
See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early. Ask what steps you can take to reach your goals. If you have diabetes, at each visit, be sure you have a blood pressure check, foot check, and weight check.
Making changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can be hard, but you don’t have to change everything at once. Small changes can add up to a big difference over time. Remember that setbacks are normal and do not mean you have failed — the key is to get back on track as soon as you can. National Diabetes Month is a time to come together and make decisions that will benefit you, your family, and your community.
For more information about the Mille Lacs Band Diabetes Program, contact Jackie Gluck at jackie.gluck@hhs.millelacsband-nsn.gov or 320-362-0020 to learn more.
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
People of all ages can develop type 1 diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t make insulin or makes very little insulin. Insulin helps blood sugar enter the cells in your body for use as energy. Without insulin, blood sugar can’t get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes was once called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes. It usually develops in children, teens, and young adults, but it can happen at any age.
Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2— about 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes, but it can be treated successfully by:
Following your doctor’s recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle.
Managing your blood sugar.
Getting regular health checkups.
Getting diabetes self-management education and support.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).