Around the world, diabetes is an increasingly significant public health issue. Whenever the topic of public health is addressed, it is important to recognize that it is individual people who comprise a population. Individuals are the ones who are shocked when told about a diagnosis. Individuals are saddened and confused when they or their loved ones experience negative outcomes of diabetes, such as heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and amputations. Individuals are the ones who have to test blood sugar sometimes six or more times a day. Individuals have to think about keeping insulin protected from the heat inside a car during hot summer days. And individuals have to plan medication, meals and exercise times and quantities so that blood sugar doesn’t drop too low and cause weakness…or confusion…or seizures…or coma…or death.
Diabetes is a life-long disease. While much can be done to keep it in good control and prevent complications, this doesn’t happen automatically and it doesn’t come easy. Education and motivation must be as on-going as diabetes itself. It is time to do something about diabetes. In the spirit of making an impact on its negative outcomes, this effort by the Las Cruces Sun-News and The Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach to educate and motivate for improvements in detection and management of diabetes is launched.
In diabetes a lack of insulin or a problem with the use of insulin cause problems with using food for energy, growth, and healing. Absolute insulin deficiency at the time of diagnosis defines type 1 diabetes. Insulin resistance and problems with the release and use of insulin define type 2 diabetes. Both cause an excess in glucose levels in the bloodstream. While they have different origins, the outcomes and risks for complications are similar. Type 1 diabetes comprises about 5% of all diabetes cases. Type 2 is the overwhelming 95%. Both types should be treated very seriously.
Glucose is the basic sugar molecule that cells use. Normal levels of sugar in the blood are essential for long-term good health. Imbalance of sugar and insulin levels in the blood can cause serious problems, both immediately and over time. Long-term complications are caused by damage to blood vessels and nerves, which may result in disability or early death. Complications may be delayed or prevented with good diabetes management.
Common symptoms of diabetes include lack of energy, blurry vision, dry skin, headache, problems with healing, and excessive urination and thirst. Excess hunger is also a frequent symptom. Severe weight loss prior to the time of diagnosis is typical of type 1 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes weight loss may occur, but in its early stages, weight gain or maintenance of excessive weight is common. About 80% of those with type 2 diabetes have a history of being overweight. Obesity is a major contributor to insulin resistance, but even type 2 diabetics who have never been overweight also lack insulin sensitivity. Much research is currently taking place to unravel the mysteries of insulin resistance.
Risks for type 2 diabetes include family history, lack of exercise, being overweight especially in the upper part of the body, the aging process, race (Hispanics, Native American Indians, and African Americans are at higher risk for type 2), and a history of blood sugar elevations during such times as pregnancy or injury or illness. Risks for type 1 diabetes are also related to family background, but include a response of the immune system to a virus or other foreign proteins. It is thought that some type 1 diabetics become immune to their own insulin-producing cells or even to their own insulin
