Diabetes Awareness

Nearly 40 million Americans currently live with diabetes and every year around 1.2 million more people are diagnosed with diabetes with roughly 1 out of 4 not even realizing they have it. Even more alarming, an estimated 97.6 million youth under the age of 18 are classified as having prediabetes. Discussing various aspects of the disease may provide insight into what diabetes is and how to lower your risk of getting it by living a healthier lifestyle.

Diabetes is diagnosed when higher than normal levels of glucose are circulating in the blood. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, develops from the body’s inability to produce or use insulin correctly. On the other hand, Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile, or childhood-onset) is caused by an autoimmune reaction, making it impossible for the body to create any insulin at all, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). 

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is preventable. Unfortunately, symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are often discreet, making it hard to diagnose the disease. The CDC recommends getting your blood sugar tested if you believe you are at risk for the disease. Those at higher risk typically fall under these categories:

• Overweight or obese
• 45 years or older
• Have a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes
• Physically active less than three times a week
• Had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds
• African American, Hispanic, American Indian, or Alaska Native

Managing eating habits and living a healthy lifestyle can both aid in the prevention of diabetes and help those currently diagnosed with the disease. Effective diabetes self-management includes healthy eating, regular exercise, weight management, tobacco cessation, monitoring blood glucose, medication adherence, and getting support. 

The Harvard School of Public Healthy recommends following these key steps when it comes to diabetes self-management and prevention:

• Control your weight - being overweight makes you 7 times more likely to develop diabetes than someone with a healthy weight.
• Get moving – stay physically active with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day; working your muscles more often improves their ability to use insulin and absorb glucose. 
• Tune up your diet -
• Choose whole grains over highly processed carbohydrates.
• Skip the sugary drinks, and choose water, coffee, or tea instead.
• Choose good fats instead of bad fats, such as polyunsaturated fats found in liquid vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.
• Limit red meat and avoid processed meat - choose nuts, whole grains, poultry, or fish instead.
• If you smoke, try to quit - smokers are 50% more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes

Over 2.7 million Texans are diagnosed with diabetes and it is the sixth leading cause of death.  Hunt County has a diabetes prevalence value of 10.3%, meaning approximately 1 person out of every 10 residents are diagnosed with diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes is growing and expected to quadruple over the next thirty years.  

The two most common forms of diabetes as Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), is an autoimmune condition where the pancreases produces very little, if any, insulin.  Relatively uncommon, roughly 5% of all diagnosed cases are Type 1.  Scientists agree, while an exact cause is unknown, genetics play a significant role. Type 2 diabetes, also known as Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is a chronic condition effecting how the body uses insulin.  The cause of Type 2 is also unknown; however, excess weight and inactivity are factors (American Diabetes Association, 2017). Both forms of diabetes are serious and should be addressed with proper attention.  Diabetes education can help ease the strain of living with diabetes and although it is not curable, it is manageable.

Hunt County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is offering Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes, a five-part educational series to help people understand how to manage their disease through healthy eating patterns, physical activity, and following proper self-care.  On Friday, November 17th, we will tackle this program as a one day, short-course program beginning at 10:00 am and ending around 3:00 pm.  There will be a hands-on lunch where attendees learn to use alternative food options to help manage their carbohydrates.  Diabetics and care takers are welcome to attend.  Registration is $10.00 per person.  Topics covered in the program will address how food effects blood glucose, the proper method to test blood glucose, understanding medications, incorporating a healthy eating pattern, and much more.   For additional information or to register for the Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes short-course, please contact the Hunt County Extension office, (903) 455-9885 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu.  

MAKING MEMORIES, the annual holiday program, is scheduled for Friday, November 3rd at the Ben E. Keith Community Room in Commerce from 9:30 am – 11:30 pm.  Holiday craft and gift ideas will be presented and you will receive a booklet including information on each item.  Tickets are available for purchase at the Hunt County Extension office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville, TX 75401. Tickets are $5.00 each and tickets are limited.  Registration fee includes morning refreshments and the holiday idea booklet.  If you are interested in paying over the phone using an electronic payment, please call (903) 455-9885.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or just want to chat, please feel free to come by the Hunt County AgriLife Extension office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville, Texas, 75401, call (903) 455-9885, or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. 

References:

American Diabetes Association. (2017). www.diabetes.org.