Detecting Diabetes

It’s a staggering statistic. An estimated 20.8 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. That’s 7 percent of the population. Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce or properly use insulin, which is a hormone that converts sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. It’s still not known what causes diabetes, but genetics, obesity, lack of exercise and stress appear to play a role in the onset of the disease.

Shannon Schmitt, R.N., is a certified diabetes educator and coordinates the Diabetes Education Program at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit. She says Michigan has one of the highest incidences of diabetes cases. “That’s partly because it’s being diagnosed better and earlier and also because we’re one of the least healthy communities around and there’s a high incidence of obesity, which does play a role in diabetes,” she explains.

Many people may be unaware that they have diabetes because the onset is slow and gradual. Early detection can help decrease the risk of developing complications from the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) lists the following as symptoms of diabetes:

Frequent urnination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Fatigue/drowsiness
Irritability
Blurred vision

The ADA offers an Online Diabetes Risk Test that you can take to find out if you are at risk for diabetes.

There are four major types of diabetes:

Type 1: Occurs when the body fails to produce insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy. Usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
Type 2: Occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. It is the most common form of diabetes.
Gestational: Occurs in women who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy. Affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women.
Pre-diabetes: Occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Affects approximately 54 million Americans.

The ADA and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases published a Position Statement on "The Prevention or Delay of Type 2 Diabetes" to help guide health care professionals in treating their patients with pre-diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Program found that pre-diabetes can be reversed back to normal levels with exercise and a healthy diet.

Being diagnosed with diabetes can be daunting. Long term complications include kidney disease, eye damage (retinopathy), neuropathy, and heart disease. “Diabetes can really affect almost any organ or system in your body because the high blood sugars are circulating throughout the body,” Schmitt says.

However, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives. “Education is extremely important, because the more you know about diabetes the better you can keep it under control,” Schmitt says. “With type 2 diabetes we focus on healthy eating, exercise and medication. We also talk about stress and how it affects your diabetes and your blood sugar levels. It’s also very important to test your blood sugar on a regular basis to know if you’re staying in your target ranges.”

At the Sinai-Grace Diabetes Education Program, Schmitt sees patients who are referred by physicians or hospitals. Initially, the patients meet with nurses and dietitians and receive a personalized meal plan. They attend five classes focusing on medications, diet and nutrition, coping with stress, physical activity, and self-management training. Blood sugars and diet are monitored and patients return for a follow-up evaluation. Patients are also encouraged to participate in a monthly support group. For more information on the program, call (313) 966-3150.