Regional Medical Center | Thrive for Life | Fall 2018

DIABETES IS ONE OF the most common health conditions in the U.S. and around the world. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and other unknown factors. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, caused also by genetics and by lifestyle factors. Diabetes occurs when your body is unable to either make or use insulin—a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Either your body may not produce enough or any insulin, or your body’s cells are resistant and unable to use insulin effectively. Glucose, a simple sugar, builds up in your blood if your body is unable to make or use insulin for its metabolism. This leads to high blood sugar levels. Cells in your body won’t get the energy they need to function properly, causing further problems. Are you at risk? You’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes if you: ●   ● Are overweight. ●   ● Are 45 years or older. ●   ● Have a parent, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes. ●   ● Are physically active less than three times a week. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. 30.3 million or 9.4% of Americans have diabetes . 1.5 million new diagnoses every year—6.7 per 1,000 persons. 7.2 million are undiagnosed . 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. 2 million seniors (ages 65 and older) have it. 84.1 million Americans (age 18+) have prediabetes. $245 billion: total direct and indirect estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report diabetes THE Diabetes Did you know? Gwen Hail has been living with diabetes since she was diagnosed at 35 years old. “It’s a struggle,” says Hail. “But if you don’t manage it, it will manage you.” Her pancreas stopped making insulin (defined as type 1 diabetes), so Hail was put directly on insulin after diagnosis. Managing diabetes is a daily priority and includes watching her diet, making time to exercise and taking her medications. Care through a crisis “I’ve never been hospitalized for my diabetes,” Hail says. “Four years ago, though, I was an inpatient at RMC after my heart attack.” She praises the entire care team ‘IF YOU DON’T MANAGE IT, IT WILL Mother and daughter share battle with diabetes for helping her survive that life- threatening experience and for her ability now to stay as healthy as possible. She credits not only her primary care physician and endocrinologist, but also her cardiologist and neurologist and the skill and expertise of all the RMC caregivers who support them. “They take very good care of me!” she says. In a position to know Hail also knows RMC as an employee. As an LPN, Hail serves as a Transition of Care analyst, helping people with high-risk diagnoses be successful at home. It’s a natural for her, based on her own life journey. Regional Medical Center 10 DIABETES