Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the highest quality, culturally competent health education services to each community in a collaborative manner which promotes a safe and healthy environment. We focus on providing preventative education tools for people through advocacy of healthy lifestyles that honor mind, body and spirit.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes (also known as diabetes mellitus) is a lifelong health condition that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells. If left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to serious diseases and even death.
Types of Diabetes
Prediabetes
Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and, if left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes also increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. However, prediabetes is preventable and even reversible with some modest lifestyle changes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is considered to be an autoimmune disease that stops the pancreas from making insulin. It makes up 5-10% of all diagnosed cases. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can be diagnosed at any age. It can develop over weeks or months, but it may take months or years for symptoms to appear. There is no known way to prevent or cure type 1 diabetes, but it is a manageable health condition. Those with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to manage their blood glucose.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and makes up 90-95% of all diagnosed cases. If you have type 2 diabetes, your cells have insulin resistance, or don’t respond normally to insulin. Your pancreas starts producing more and more insulin to get the cells to respond until it can’t keep up anymore. Type 2 diabetes develops over several years with symptoms being gradual or nonexistent. It is usually diagnosed in adults, but it is being found more and more in children, teens, and young adults.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops in some women during pregnancy, and it affects 5-9% of all U.S. pregnancies. It is caused by hormonal and other changes that occur with pregnancy, and it can develop in women who never had diabetes previously. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but it can put both the mother and baby at higher risk for health problems, including developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes, a woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes may have type 1 or type 2 diabetes instead.
Monogenic Diabetes
Monogenic diabetes is a group of uncommon forms of diabetes caused by changes in a person’s genetics. These changes may affect how the pancreas develops, cause the pancreas to produce insulin that doesn’t work well, or destroy cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. About 1-5 out of every 100 people with diabetes has monogenic diabetes, and it can be misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors
Native Americans are generally at a higher risk for diabetes due to historical changes in food and lifestyle as a result of colonization. Other factors include:
- Being overweight
- Being 45 or older (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes)
- Having a parent or sibling with diabetes
- Being physically inactive or being physically active less than 3 times a week
- Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
- Gave girth to a baby who weighed 9 pounds or more
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Smoking or vaping
- Drinking alcohol
- Having gum disease
Symptoms
Reach out to your doctor or a medical professional about testing your blood sugar if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- You urinate a lot, often at night
- You are very thirsty
- You are very hungry, even after eating
- You lose weight without trying
- You have blurry vision
- You have numb or tingling hands or feet
- You feel very tired
- You have very dry skin
- You have sores that heal slowly
- You have more infections than usual
- You have stomach pains or nausea, or you are vomiting
Be aware that even if you don’t notice any symptoms, you may still have diabetes. If you are at risk, ask your doctor about screening for diabetes.
Complications
If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can lead to serious and damaging health conditions. These include:
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes, and it causes 2 out of 3 deaths for people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, having diabetes doubles your risk for heart attacks and heart diseases, even if your diabetes is well managed.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease. High levels of blood sugar causes the kidneys to filter too much blood. Over time, the kidneys wear out, and protein starts to leak into the bloodstream. As the kidneys wear out, they stop filtering properly, and waste builds up in the bloodstream. Eventually, the kidneys fail. Symptoms for kidney disease don’t show until the kidneys are close to failure.
Eye Disease
Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness. Native Americans are at a higher risk of losing their vision or going blind because of diabetes.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy, or nerve damage, affects half of people with diabetes. Types of neuropathy include peripheral neuropathy (which causes tingling, pain, and numbness in hands and feet), autonomic neuropathy (which affects nerves than manage body systems), and others. If left untreated, it can lead to infection and amputation of the affected areas.
Foot Complications
Diabetes can reduce circulation and cause nerve damage. These increase your risk of ulcers and infections on your feet and legs, which can lead to amputations.
Skin Complications
Diabetes can cause multiple skin conditions and are usually the first sign of diabetes or complications of diabetes. While many are harmless, some can be a cause for concern.
Gum Diseases
Diabetes increases your chances for gingivitis (early gum disease) and periodontitis (advanced gum disease). Diabetes also increases your risk of cavities, dry mouth, and other oral complications.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes and 30% higher in people with prediabetes compared to people without diabetes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition caused by high levels of ketones in the blood. When the cells can’t get enough glucose, the liver starts breaking down fat for energy. When fat is broken down, it releases ketones into the bloodstream, making it more acidic. High levels of ketones are dangerous and can lead to diabetic coma and death if not treated immediately.
Stroke
Diabetes can double your risk for stroke compared to people without diabetes.
Cancer
Diabetes and cancer share similar risk factors, and there is research looking into a link between diabetes and certain cancers, including:
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Uterus
- Colon
- Breast
- Bladder
By the Numbers
Americans were affected by diabetes in 2023 - that's around 11.6%.
Source: diabetes.org
of Americans affected by diabetes don't know they have it.
Source: cdc.gov
of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year.
Source: diabetes.org
of Americans have prediabetes.
Source: cdc.gov
of Americans with prediabetes don't know they have it.
Source: cdc.gov
of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Source: cdc.gov
Diabetes is the
cause of death for people in the U.S.
Source: cdc.gov
Diabetes is the
cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and adult blindness.
Source: cdc.gov
Medical costs are
as high for Americans with diabetes than for Americans who don't have diabetes.
Source: cdc.gov
Diabetes is the
cause of death for Native Americans.
Source: ihs.gov
Diabetes related deaths are
for Native Americans than the rest of the U.S. population.
Source: hhs.gov
Native American youth are
to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to white Americans.
Source: hhs.gov
Simple Lifestyle Changes
You don’t have to completely change your life to prevent the onset of diabetes. Diabetes prevention is more than a diet or restricting certain foods. True prevention and managing symptoms is found in simple lifestyle changes such as creating healthier eating habits. The following can reduce your chances of diabetes:
Eat Healthy
Get Moving
Create Routines
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetes go away?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition. While symptoms and blood sugar levels can be managed with treatment and medication, normal blood sugar levels does not mean your diabetes has gone away. Treatment needs to be maintained to prevent diabetes from progressing.
Are my kids at risk of getting diabetes?
If you have diabetes, your kids are more likely to develop diabetes. This is especially important if you had gestational diabetes while pregnant, as gestational diabetes increases the risk for type 2 diabetes for you and your child.
Do I need to check my blood sugar regularly?
Checking your blood sugar regularly is the most important part in managing diabetes. It will help you recognize patterns in blood sugar levels, what affects your levels, and help you adjust your treatment if needed. Don’t rely on how you feel – feeling fine doesn’t mean your blood sugar levels are at normal levels.
Do I need to eat special foods if I have diabetes?
No, special foods are not necessary for managing diabetes. In general, a healthy eating plan focuses on lots of non-starchy veggies, limited added sugars, whole grains, whole foods instead of processed foods, smaller portion sizes (no bigger than what can fill a 9-inch plate), and a healthy balance between carbs, proteins, and fats. People with diabetes can still have carbs and sweets; however they should watch portion sizes, and sweets should be saved for special occasions. This also applies to sugar free foods, as they still have calories, carbs, and fats that can affect your blood sugar levels. Talk with our doctor to find the best meal plan for your needs.
Can I stop taking my medication if I stop eating certain foods?
It depends. While cutting concentrated carbohydrates like candy and cookies may reduce or eliminate the need for medication, you may still need it in addition to other interventions like physical activity or weight loss to manage your blood sugar.
If I take insulin, do I have to take it forever?
Not necessarily. Some people only need it temporarily, such as for pregnancy, short-term illness, after surgery, or when taking medications that increase insulin resistance. Some people may be able to reduce or eliminate the need to take insulin through exercise, healthy eating, losing weight (if overweight), or changing medications. However, taking insulin to manage blood sugar is not a bad thing if you need it. It doesn’t mean you are failing to manage your diabetes if you need to take insulin.
Can I take insulin as a pill instead of a shot?
Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because stomach acids destroy insulin before it can get into the blood stream. Insulin can be taken with a syringe, an insulin pen, an insulin pump, or an insulin inhaler. Talk with your doctor to know which best fits your needs.
How can I reduce my risk of diabetes?
- Making healthy eating choices
- Being physically active for 150 minutes each week
- Losing at least 5-7% of your body weight (if overweight)
No, special foods are not necessary for managing diabetes. In general, a healthy eating plan focuses on lots of non-starchy veggies, limited added sugars, whole grains, whole foods instead of processed foods, smaller portion sizes (no bigger than what can fill a 9-inch plate), and a healthy balance between carbs, proteins, and fats. People with diabetes can still have carbs and sweets; however they should watch portion sizes, and sweets should be saved for special occasions. This also applies to sugar free foods, as they still have calories, carbs, and fats that can affect your blood sugar levels. Talk with our doctor to find the best meal plan for your needs.
Can I stop taking my medication if I stop eating certain foods?
It depends. While cutting concentrated carbohydrates like candy and cookies may reduce or eliminate the need for medication, you may still need it in addition to other interventions like physical activity or weight loss to manage your blood sugar.
If I take insulin, do I have to take it forever?
Not necessarily. Some people only need it temporarily, such as for pregnancy, short-term illness, after surgery, or when taking medications that increase insulin resistance. Some people may be able to reduce or eliminate the need to take insulin through exercise, healthy eating, losing weight (if overweight), or changing medications. However, taking insulin to manage blood sugar is not a bad thing if you need it. It doesn’t mean you are failing to manage your diabetes if you need to take insulin.
Can I take insulin as a pill instead of a shot?
Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because stomach acids destroy insulin before it can get into the blood stream. Insulin can be taken with a syringe, an insulin pen, an insulin pump, or an insulin inhaler. Talk with your doctor to know which best fits your needs.
How can I reduce my risk of diabetes?
- Making healthy eating choices
- Being physically active for 150 minutes each week
- Losing at least 5-7% of your body weight (if overweight)
Not necessarily. Some people only need it temporarily, such as for pregnancy, short-term illness, after surgery, or when taking medications that increase insulin resistance. Some people may be able to reduce or eliminate the need to take insulin through exercise, healthy eating, losing weight (if overweight), or changing medications. However, taking insulin to manage blood sugar is not a bad thing if you need it. It doesn’t mean you are failing to manage your diabetes if you need to take insulin.
Can I take insulin as a pill instead of a shot?
Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because stomach acids destroy insulin before it can get into the blood stream. Insulin can be taken with a syringe, an insulin pen, an insulin pump, or an insulin inhaler. Talk with your doctor to know which best fits your needs.
How can I reduce my risk of diabetes?
- Making healthy eating choices
- Being physically active for 150 minutes each week
- Losing at least 5-7% of your body weight (if overweight)
Contact Us
-
Laura Hammerel RN, BSN
Diabetic Educator
- 715.638.5176
- lhammerel@lcohc.com
-
Kelly Backen
Diabetic Educator
- kbacken@lcohc.com