Diabetes

Healthy Schools, Healthy Families

Mithila Jegathesan, M.D.

Kate Avitabile, M.D.

What is Diabetes?

A disease in which there are high levels of blood glucose in the body

Glucose is the medical term for sugar

It is the fuel the body uses to stay active, just like gas in a car

Why does diabetes happen?

Normally, an organ called the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin

Insulin controls the level of sugar in the body

In diabetes the insulin does not control the sugar correctly

Type 1 Diabetes

The body destroys the cells in the pancreas that usually make insulin

There is no insulin in the body to control the levels of sugar

Insulin must be injected into the person to control the levels of sugar

Type 1 Diabetes

Usually happens in children and young adults

May be “in their genes”

No way to prevent or cure this type of diabetes yet

Type 2 Diabetes At the beginning the pancreas is able to

produce insulin to control the sugar

But the other cells in the body, like the muscles, cannot respond to this insulin

The pancreas tries to produce more and more insulin but the organs cannot respond

This is called “insulin resistance”

Type 2 Diabetes

The pancreas eventually gets tired out and cannot produce any more insulin

The body’s sugar levels are uncontrolled

Some people need medications to decrease the level of sugar in the body

Other people may eventually need insulin injections

Who often gets Type 2 Diabetes?

Older age - adult and young adult cases Overweight or obese people Women who had diabetes during pregnancy People who do not exercise often Some races and ethnicities

– African American– Hispanic/Latinos– Native Americans– Some Asians

May run in families

Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes in pregnant women May go away after the baby is born But some women with this type of diabetes

may be more likely to develop permanent diabetes after pregnancy

Can cause problems for the baby including heart and lung problems and problems with the baby’s sugar

Who may get diabetes of pregnancy?

Obese women

Women with family members with diabetes

More common in African Americas, Hispanic/Latina Americans, and Native Americans

Body Parts Affected by Diabetes

Eyes– Diabetes causes the blood vessels of the

back of the eye called the retina to grow too much

– This may cause the retina to separate from the back of the eye

– This may lead to permanent blindness– Some people may have surgery to remove

these blood vessels

Body Parts Affected by Diabetes Kidneys

– Diabetes causes the blood vessels of the kidneys to become weak

– This may lead to leaking of important proteins into the urine

– These important proteins are lost from the body

Body Parts Affected by Diabetes Kidneys

– Loss of proteins may lead to swelling of the feet and ankles

– Kidney damage can also cause high blood pressure

– Some people need kidney transplants

Body Parts Affected by Diabetes Heart

– High sugar causes damage to the blood vessels that bring blood to the muscle of the heart

– The vessels can become narrow– Blood cannot get to all parts of the

heart– This may lead to chest pain, heart

attacks, and possibly death

Body Parts Affected by Diabetes Other blood vessels

– The vessels of the legs, ankles, and feet may be damaged by diabetes

– This may lead to change in color, pain, and ulcers

– Some diabetics need to have amputations

Body Parts Affected by Diabetes Nerves

– The nerves of the feet are often damaged

– This can cause changes in feeling as well as burning sensations in the feet

– The nerves of the stomach and intestine can also be damaged and cause problems with digestion

Body Parts Affected by Diabetes Infections

– Diabetics are more prone to getting infections

– They may get very serious infections with fungi

– The ulcers of the feet can become infected and spread to infection of the bone

What is Pre-Diabetes?

A condition that may later develop into diabetes

The levels of sugar in the blood are higher than normal but not as high as in diabetes

Who can get Pre-Diabetes?

Adults

Also children!

As more and more children are overweight, more and more children are getting pre-diabetes

What are the signs of Pre-Diabetes?

A person with pre-diabetes has high sugar on a blood test taken first thing in the morning, before eating anything

The doctor may then test the blood after the person eats a sugary meal and the blood sugar is even higher

What are the signs of Pre-Diabetes?

Acanthosis nigricans

– Dark color of the skin on the back of the neck or under the armpits

– May be seen in both light and dark skinned people

– Sign of high levels of blood sugar

– Especially important in finding children at risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes

Now for some

GOOD NEWS!!

How can I prevent diabetes in myself and my children?

Exercise– 30 minutes per day or 3 times per week– Try walking more rather than taking the bus

or subway– Take the stairs instead of the elevator– Try buying an exercise video to use at home – Find a friend to exercise with you!

How can I prevent diabetes in myself and my children?

Eat healthy– Eat a diet low in fat, low in carbohydrates, and

high in fiber

– Limit fast food

– Limit soda and juice

– Parents’ examples help children form good habits!

How can I prevent diabetes in myself and my children?

Lose weight– Obesity is a major risk factor for

developing diabetes

– Exercise and healthy eating can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of developing diabetes

How can I prevent diabetes in myself and my children?

Decrease screen time– Instead of watching TV or playing video

games with your kids, go for a walk or go to the park together

– Cutting down TV time from 4 hrs a day to 2 hrs a day can decrease children’s risk of being overweight and developing pre-diabetes

How can I prevent diabetes in myself and my children?

See your doctor for regular check-ups– Follow advice on how to lower blood

pressure and cholesterol

– Having diabetes along with obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol increases your risk of heart and kidney disease

How can I prevent diabetes in myself and my children?

Limit alcohol intake

Ask your doctor for information about how you can stop smoking

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