Our population is under attack. About 20 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus, the fifth-leading cause of death in this country. If left untreated or treated improperly, Diabetes Mellitus can lead to numerous complications such as neuropathies, blindness, renal failure, cardiovascular problems and leg amputations.
An overview Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by increased levels of glucose in the blood resulting from defects in the insulin secretion, insulin action or both.
There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1 is an autoimmune process where patients produce little or no insulin and therefore are insulin dependent for life due to genetics or environmental factors. Whereas patients with type 2 have a decreased ability to use what insulin they produce (insulin resistance). A big difference between the two types is that type 2 diabetes is preventable, while type 1 is unpreventable. With knowledge of predisposing risk factors and proper lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, you can prevent type 2 diabetes.
Predisposing factors, signs and symptoms
The first step in awareness is realizing the predisposing factors which include high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, heredity, and sedentary lifestyle. If you have one or a few of these, look for the common symptoms of diabetes. Some of the more common symptoms include increased blood sugar levels, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and excessive hunger. These are also accompanied with blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, dry mouth and also “fruity” smelling breath. Noticing these signs and symptoms early, and seeking immediate health care, will help to prevent serious complications, and will make it easier to manage your diabetes.
Managing type 2 diabetes
Incorporating healthy eating habits and daily exercise concurrently is the key to managing type 2 diabetes. Dietary changes that should be made include the following: Preparing healthier meals with reducing and keeping track of daily calories, increasing fiber, reducing fat intake, decreasing processed sugars in diet such as cookies, desserts, jams, juices from concentrate, soda, and honey and portion control according to serving size. Exercise also needs to be factored in along with dietary changes. There needs to be at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, which is about 20 minutes a day. This can include brisk walking, swimming or bicycle riding. With diet and exercise, one should try to reduce body weight by 7 percent at a rate of 1-2 lbs a week. By incorporating these changes, it can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent.
In Western New York, type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic. Early detection is the most important part of prevention of this disease. If you have any questions or concerns, refer to the American Diabetes Association in Erie County at 315 Alberta Dr., Suite 102, Amherst, NY 14226 (716) 835-0274 or the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at Mount St. Mary’s & Health Center in Niagara County at 5300 Military Rd. Lewiston, NY 14092 (716) 298-2297.
Chad Israel, Jessica Farr, Megan Metzger, Lisa Batt and Sarah Schnegenburger are Niagara County Community College nursing students.
Columns
GUEST VIEW: Protect yourself from Diabetes Mellitus starting now
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GLYNN: VFW post keeps spirit alive
At one time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 313 would march down Main Street in Youngstown on Memorial Day to the 1812 Cemetery near Old Fort Niagara. That same scenario out of the past occurred for decades in cities, towns and villages across the U.S.
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HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
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GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
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BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
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CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
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CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
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GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
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HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
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