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Diabetes: How to Take Control

	Ronnie Morales and Greg Stueve discuss Mr. Morales' diet and exercise program.

Diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening disease in which the body fails to produce or respond to the hormone insulin. As a result of insulin deficiency, cells of the body do not take up glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. When cells fail to take up glucose, blood glucose rises. Eventually, glucose spills over from the blood into the urine and the body loses its primary source of energy. Potential life-threatening complications make diabetes a significant health concern.

Ronnie Morales, an engineer with Hol-Mac in Bay Springs, was diagnosed with diabetes in May of this year. He was referred by his physician to Greg Stueve, diabetes educator with South Central Regional Medical Center. Stueve provided a diet and exercise program for Morales. Because of his family history of diabetes, he followed the program very rigidly and now has an exceptionally good hemoglobin.

"Type 2 diabetes is a disease not only of the elderly, but of the young. I wish more people would take diabetes seriously and get control of diabetes rather than allowing diabetes to control them. Ronnie has been an excellent example of what should be done when you are diagnosed with this disease. I am very proud of him," states Stueve.

"Because I have a family history of diabetes and so does my wife, I knew that the chance of our children having diabetes was great. I decided that if I started living the diabetes lifestyle now, then it would be second nature to us if we do have children with diabetes. I feel this is a great gift I can give my children."

There are three different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes—the body produces little or no insulin, and patients must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 accounts for 5 to 10% of all cases of diabetes and occurs most often in children and young adults. Symptoms tend to develop rapidly. Type 2 diabetes—characterized by insulin resistance, or failure of the body to use insulin effectively. Type 2 accounts for 90 to 95% of all cases of diabetes and usually occurs in adults older than the age of 40. Symptoms tend to develop slowly. Gestational diabetes—develops or is diagnosed during pregnancy.

Symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, weight loss, extreme fatigue, frequent infections, slow-healing cuts/bruises, blurred vision, and, if left untreated, life-threatening coma.

There is no cure for diabetes; nevertheless, management of the disease with consequent reduction of risk of complications, is possible. If you have symptoms of diabetes, it is important that you see your doctor. For more information, contact Greg Stueve, RN, Coordinator of diabetes education at South Central Regional Medical Center at 426-4700.

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Diabetes Support Group
The Diabetes Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the SCRMC Wellness Complex Conference Rooms. The next meeting will be November 12. If you have any questions, call Greg Stueve at 426-4700.