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Diabetes Education

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Additional Resources

There are over 20 million persons in the United States who have diabetes. While approximately 14.6 million have been diagnosed, it is estimated that another 6.2 million individuals are unaware that they have this disease. 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 20 years or older in 2005.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce an adequate amount of insulin or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin (that is, there is insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It is necessary the body to be able to use glucose for energy. Glucose is a form of sugar. Dietary carbohydrates are used to supply glucose; the body breaks down the sugars and starches in food into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin regulates the process of moving glucose from the blood into the cells, where the glucose is ultimately burned for energy. In type 2 diabetes, insulin is not effective in clearing the glucose from the blood and getting it into cells. Long term, elevation of blood sugar leads to complications, including damage to blood vessels, the kidneys, the heart, the eyes, and the nervous system.

While diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the older adult population.

Type 2 diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. Knowledge is key. A recent study published in the journal, Diabetes Care, showed the value of self-management classes for individuals with diabetes (Thoolen B, De Ridder D, Bensing J, et al. Effectiveness of a self-management intervention in patients with screen-detected type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 30:2832-2837, 2007) In this study of 196 patients, attending self-management classes was associated with a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure than medical therapy alone. It also was associated with a reduction in the body mass index, a measure of weight for height. The best results were in diabetic patients who received a combination of intensive pharmacological (drug) therapy and self-management classes.

Arm yourself with information about type 2 diabetes, and how to prevent its complications. Self-management classes increase understanding of the causes and consequences of diabetes among patients; improve confidence; and provide information on proper diet and exercise. Knowing more about diabetes enables you to do a better job of coping with this condition and living a happier, healthier life.

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