Understanding diabetes. Here’s what you need to know! – Canton Daily Ledger

CANTONThroughout the holidays, some tend to overindulge in the decadence of all the various treats, telling themselves theyll take off the few extra pounds once the new year begins.

What many dont understand is there are other consequences to not having a healthy diet aside from carrying extra weight.

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Lacey McMahill is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Board Certified Advanced Diabetes Management Education with Graham Health Systems.

She explained the different types of diabetes, If you have diabetes, your blood glucose, or blood sugar levels, are too high. Glucose comes from foods you eat. The cells of your body need glucose for energy. A hormone called insulin helps the glucose get into your cells.

With type 1 diabetes, your body doesnt make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, your body doesnt make as much insulin or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in your blood and causes high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels cause a horde of health-related complications.

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There is also prediabetes. McMahill said those diagnosed as prediabetic have higher than normal blood sugar levels than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Those with prediabetes, are more than likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

McMahill said 10.5 percent or 34.2 million of the US population have diabetes, Type 1 diabetes occurs mainly in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diabetes in the United States.

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Genetics do appear to play a role intype 1 diabetes, but the cause has yet to be identified, In type 1, the pancreas does not produce any insulin at all, These patients cannot survive without supplementation from an external source of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is much more common and accounts for 90 to 95 percent. Type 2 diabetes primarily affects adults, however recently type 2 has begun developing in children. There is a strong correlation between type 2 diabetes, diet and physical inactivity.

Diabetes has a very of symptoms.

To name a few:

Increased urination, often at night

Increased thirst

Increased hunger and appetite

Unintentional weight loss

Blurry vision

Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet

Fatigue

Dry skin

Skin sores that heal slowly

More infections than usual, especially urinary tract infections and/or yeast infections

According to McMahill a person should contact their doctor if any of the symptoms are present and persistent and/or you have a family history of diabetes, Checking for diabetes is as simple as taking a blood sample to check a random blood sugar level. Further tests can be ordered from there if your provider feels it is necessary, she said.

How important is a patients diet when it comes to managing their diabetes?

So important. The sugar in your blood comes from certain foods called carbohydrates or carbs. Foods that are high in carbs include candy and sweets, sodas, breads, tortillas, beans, potatoes, corn, peas and white rice just to name a few. The more carbs you eat, the higher your blood sugar level will be, said McMahill.

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Further, she explained whether a person has type 1 or 2 diabetes or even prediabetes, making the right food choices is an important way to keep your blood sugar as a healthy level. When you control your blood sugar you lower your chance of having serious health problems from diabetes such as loss of vision and heart problems.

If a person is prediabetic, or are at risk for diabetes, eating foods that keep your blood sugar levels healthy may help prevent type 2 diabetes later on in life.

However, there isnt a specific diet or meal plan that works for everybody, All eating plans for diabetes have a few things in common, including eating the right foods in the right amounts at the right times. I work with my patients to help them develop a way of eating that works with their lifestyle, she said.

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McMahill said shes been working in healthcare for years, My first bedside nursing position was to recover patients who had just had open heart surgery. I saw so many people who may have been able to prevent or delay the need for intervention all together if they were given the right guidance and encouragement. I have always been fond of the preventative medicine approach to helping patients avoid developing conditions and complications before they start. Patients with more education have better outcomes. I also love teaching. I love that warm, fuzzy feeling I get when I see the light bulb turn on. What I most enjoy is celebrating my patients accomplishments with them. This is not an easy condition to manage, but it can be done and I am here to help them every step of the way. My position is one that is also not easily accomplished, and I love a challenge. The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise and more educators continue to be needed.

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McMahill received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing in Peoria. She received her Master of Science in Nursing degree with an emphasis in care of the whole family, from birth to death, from Chamberlain University in Downers Grove. She is a certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Since that time she has obtained additional specialty certifications as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and as a Board Certified Advanced Diabetes Management Provider to better serve her patients.

Originally from Elmwood, she moved to Canton after meeting her husband and has lived here for the last 11 years, I have really grown to love this community and I wholeheartedly consider it mine now. We have two beautiful children and love spending all of our free time watching them grow, she shared.

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Understanding diabetes. Here's what you need to know! - Canton Daily Ledger