Diabetes, A Growing Trend
Did you know that nearly 20 million American adults and children have diabetes and that nearly a third of them, primarily those with type 2 diabetes, don't know that they have it? Unfortunately diabetes is everywhere, and it's not going away. We have a population that is becoming increasingly overweight, and restaurant portions that are catering to our gluttony. We are a nation that can't resist eating, and that teaches our children to soothe themselves with food when they are upset.Why is it that we can't learn that there is a direct relationship between our food intake, our obesity, and the development of diabetes? Is this really such a hard concept, or do individuals just believe that it will never happen to them?
Diabetes care is near and dear to my heart. One of my good friends is a type 1 diabetic and insulin pump user and another has a young adult daughter with type 1 diabetes. My paternal grandmother developed diabetes as an older adult, and it contributed to the cause of her death. I have established a professional practice around diabetes care in several venues, including private practice and a new web-based company that provides nutrition and exercise coaching for individuals with both types of diabetes. I love the feeling I get when I have the privilege of helping people to attain their goals of losing weight, getting fit, and lowering their blood sugar day-to-day.
This week American Idol star Elliott Yamin released a CD of his music; some of his profits will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Elliot has type 1 diabetes and also wears an insulin pump to manage his blood sugar. He is using his "Idol" fame as a launching pad for both a musical career and to draw attention to the need for diabetes research. Because finding a cure and raising diabetes awareness is so important, I send my thanks to Mr. Yamin for his efforts.
If you are a member of a family with a history of diabetes, please ask your health care provider for advice. Diabetes is NOT inevitable, despite your family history. If you do develop diabetes the options available to you to control your blood sugar have changed dramatically since my grandmother's day and there is no reason that you should take it for granted that the disease will shorten your life. It takes some motivation and work on your part to control your health risks, but it is well worth the effort to not become part of that population of people living with diabetes that is unfortunately 20 million strong, and growing.
Take good care of yourself,
Laurie
Diabetes care is near and dear to my heart. One of my good friends is a type 1 diabetic and insulin pump user and another has a young adult daughter with type 1 diabetes. My paternal grandmother developed diabetes as an older adult, and it contributed to the cause of her death. I have established a professional practice around diabetes care in several venues, including private practice and a new web-based company that provides nutrition and exercise coaching for individuals with both types of diabetes. I love the feeling I get when I have the privilege of helping people to attain their goals of losing weight, getting fit, and lowering their blood sugar day-to-day.
This week American Idol star Elliott Yamin released a CD of his music; some of his profits will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Elliot has type 1 diabetes and also wears an insulin pump to manage his blood sugar. He is using his "Idol" fame as a launching pad for both a musical career and to draw attention to the need for diabetes research. Because finding a cure and raising diabetes awareness is so important, I send my thanks to Mr. Yamin for his efforts.
If you are a member of a family with a history of diabetes, please ask your health care provider for advice. Diabetes is NOT inevitable, despite your family history. If you do develop diabetes the options available to you to control your blood sugar have changed dramatically since my grandmother's day and there is no reason that you should take it for granted that the disease will shorten your life. It takes some motivation and work on your part to control your health risks, but it is well worth the effort to not become part of that population of people living with diabetes that is unfortunately 20 million strong, and growing.
Take good care of yourself,
Laurie
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