PIKEVILLE — November is commonly known for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, but it was also American Diabetes Month.
In
the U.S., nearly 26 million children and adults have the disease. This
number is expected to increase with estimates of one in three Americans
having diabetes in 2050.
During fiscal year 2012, Pikeville Medical Center saw more than 8,100 adults and 90 children with diabetes.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes
occurs when blood glucose levels are above normal. When someone has
diabetes, his or her body either does not make enough insulin or cannot
use its own insulin as well as it should.
This causes sugar to build up in the blood stream.
As
the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, diabetes can
lead to other complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney
failure and lower-extremity amputations.
With 79 million
Americans experiencing or at risk for pre-diabetes, those considered
non-diabetic may still be on the verge of a diagnosis.
The CDC lists the following symptoms of diabetes:
•Frequent urination •Excessive thirst •Unexplained weight loss •Sudden vision changes •Tingling or numbness in hands or feet •Feeling very tired much of the time •Very dry skin
Factors
that may increase one’s risk of developing diabetes include being
overweight, family history, ethnicity, prior medical history, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and being physically inactive.
PMC’s
Diabetes Education Department offers inpatient and outpatient education
as well as a free monthly community diabetes support group.
Weekly
outpatient education classes are also offered, covering: diabetes
overview, life-style changes, complications, nutrition, how to improve
blood glucose levels and monitor your current state.
Phone consultations and various free community screenings are also offered.
“Although
diabetes is a serious disease, it is one that is manageable with the
appropriate care and treatments,” said Mary Collins, RN, BSN, CDE, and
Diabetes Educator. “Diabetes self-management training is an integral
component of that care, with over 95 percent of participants in our
program achieving their health goals.
Pikeville Medical Center’s Diabetes Education Department strives to help others learn to best manage living with diabetes.”
For more information on PMC’s Diabetes Education Department and available services, call 606-218-3513.
Diabetes Mellitus – Often referred to as Diabetes or “Sugar”, it is a group of diseases in which a person can have high blood sugar because the body does not produce insulin.
Thyroid Disorders – A number of conditions that affect the thyroid including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroid nodules or lumps.
Pituitary Disorders – A number of conditions that affect the Pituitary including growth hormone deficiency, hypopituitarism or hyperprolactinemia.
Neuroendocrine Tumors - Cancers of the endocrine (hormonal) system and the nervous system.
