Control Your Diabetes for Life Program Objectives

Control Your Diabetes for Life Program Objectives • To gain a better understanding of diabetes prevention and treatment. • To develop the knowledge and ability to better control diabetes. • To encourage people with diabetes to take better control of their condition.

What will we talk about? • • • What is diabetes? Who has diabetes? Diabetes in Kentucky. Why is it important to control diabetes? How can you control your diabetes for life? Using CATSkills to control diabetes.

What is Diabetes? • Diabetes results from a deficiency of effective insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. • If your body doesn’t have enough insulin or if it doesn’t use it properly, your body can’t utilize its main fuel sugar.

Who has Diabetes? • People of all ages, races, genders, and ethnic backgrounds can have diabetes. • People who are older, overweight, or not very active are at greater risk.

Diabetes in Kentucky • Diabetes in Kentucky is on the rise. • The prevalence of diabetes has increased. • This increase is attributed to individuals being inactive and overweight, as well as an aging population.

Why is it important to control diabetes? • People with diabetes generally have higher levels of glucose and fats, such as cholesterol, in their blood. • These excess amounts of glucose and fats can lead to damaged or blocked blood vessels. • People with diabetes develop heart disease three to four times more often than nondiabetics.

Percentage of Kentucky adults who answered “yes”.

Why is it important to control diabetes? • Some people with diabetes, those diagnosed as an adult, may produce too much insulin – a hormone which helps the body use glucose. • Research shows that high levels of insulin may also cause damage to blood vessels. • Damage to blood vessels can cause many additional problems for those with diabetes.

Why is it important to control diabetes? • Controlling diabetes keeps you in top condition. • Control of glucose, fat, and insulin will help prevent complications with feet, eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves.

How can you control your diabetes for life? • Find out what type • Monitor your blood of diabetes you have. glucose level. • Get regular care. • Take preventative steps. • Learn how to control your diabetes. • Get checked regularly for long • Treat high blood term problems and glucose treat them.

Find out what type diabetes you have • Type 1 - people with this type of diabetes take insulin everyday; formerly referred to as “juvenile” diabetes. • Type 2 – this type of diabetes can be controlled through diet and physical activity; insulin or pills may be needed; formerly referred to as “adult onset”.

Get regular care • See a doctor, nurse, diabetes educator, or dietitian regularly. • Make a list of the things you want to discuss at each appointment. • Gain support from family and friends.

Learn how to control diabetes • There is not a single approach for everyone with diabetes. • Testing out different approaches is the best way to see what works for you. • It is important that you learn how to care for your own diabetes!!

Treat high blood glucose • Eat a healthy diet • Get regular physical activity • Take medication • Test blood glucose levels • Talk with your healthcare team

Treat high blood glucose • Before Meals – 80 -120 mg/dl • At Bedtime – 100 -140 mg/dl

Monitor blood glucose • Testing your own blood glucose is a great way to take control of diabetes. • Talk with a healthcare provider about: – The best type of test – How to do the test and how often – What the results mean – How to get supplies

Take preventative steps • It is important for people with diabetes to take steps to prevent complications such as eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, heart disease, and stroke.

Take preventative steps • Regularly check blood pressure • Have blood fats, such as cholesterol, tested • Regularly have kidney checkups • Have regular foot and eye exams

Get checked for long-term problems and treat them • People with diabetes should see their healthcare provider on a regular basis to check for problems caused by diabetes. • By regularly seeing a healthcare provider you can begin treating problems before they become even bigger problems.

Using CATSkills to control diabetes • Everyone can benefit by using CATSkills to help prevent and treat diabetes: – Cooking and Eating, Your Way – Activity for Your Health – Time to Be Well

Cooking & Eating, Your Way • Today, there are numerous dietary choices to control blood glucose levels. • Work with a Registered Dietitian (R. D. ) or a Certified Diabetes Educator (C. D. E. ) to develop an eating plan that is right for you. • There is not one diet for people with diabetes – diets should be custom tailored to you!

Cooking and Eating, Your Way • Eating a healthy diet in the 21 st century doesn’t require a great deal of energy – just a little thought! • Think about what you eat now, and the things that you expect from your diet: – – Convenient? Affordable? Nutritious? Tasty?

Cooking and Eating, Your Way • Buy convenience foods such as pasta, rice, canned beans, and frozen vegetables. • Select breads and cereals that have at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. • Keep low-fat, highflavor dairy foods in the refrigerator. • Use small amounts of lean meats in stir fry dishes. • Pick colorful fruits and vegetables.

Cooking and Eating, Your Way • Include whole-grain, • Choose lean protein high-fiber breads foods. and cereals. • Limit intake of • Eat at least 5 sugars and fats. servings of fruits and • Eat sensible portions vegetables. of food. • Eat 2 -3 servings of dairy.

Cooking and Eating, Your Way • Good News!!! – People with diabetes no longer need to follow a “no concentrated sweet” diet. – Studies have shown that sugar and carbohydrate are broken down at the same rate, so it is the total amount of carbohydrate eaten that is important.

Activity for Your Health • Regular activity offers many benefits – Increased insulin sensitivity – Improved blood pressure – Lower cholesterol – Weight loss/maintenance

Activity for Your Health • Park farther from the door and walk • Take the steps instead of the elevator • Walk to the mailbox • Clean out a closet • Play with your children • Work in the garden • Take the dog for a walk • Dance • Run the vacuum

Activity for Your Health Check with your health care team before beginning any physical activity!

Time to Be Well • A positive attitude is important to your health and well-being. • Positive thoughts and actions can promote future changes in behavior, making it easier to take control of diabetes for life.

Time to Be Well • Engage in regular physical activity • Think positive thoughts • Manage your emotions • Cope effectively with stress

The Wildcat Way To Wellness Where will it take you?